The process itself was thorough - however I had a rather unusual experience that others may want to be aware of in the DC office.
I was told the dress code for the interview was "casual."
I am a female in my mid-forties, already employed, so I was coming from my current job, which also had a laboratory onsite, which meant there are also safety considerations - my dress code at my job included closed-toe shoes. So for my interview, I wore what I wore to my employer that day - slacks, clised-toe shoes, and (for my own comfort, because I have scars on my upper arms) a casual jacket.
I arrived at the interview to see that everyone wears cargo shorts (or short "Daisy Dukes") and flip flops, sleeveless tops, etc. Which is fine - but coming from my job, I couldn't dress like that. Also, everyone was clearly MUCH younger than I (mid-20s to mid-30s) I probably wouldnt choose to - because if the scarring on my arms and because I'm just a little old to look good in Daisy Dukes, that probably wouldn't be my choice.
While the interviewers (all male, and all much younger than I) were nice and professional in the interviews (in their bicycle or cargo shorts), one of them actually looked at my jacket and asked me, "I see you wore a jacket - do you think you would fit in here?"
I was really surprised, and stumbled a bit before saying yes, that I thought I would - because it's about the job, and doing a good job, right?
But really, my answer should have been that that if I "didnt fit in", that would be THEIR fault, not mine. The fact that I am "older" or chose to wear more conservative attire shouldn't cause any more of a problem fitting in than if I was of a different race or ethnic group. Would you ask someone of a different race if THEY thought they would fit in?
Ultimately I received multiple (better) offers from other companies, so it worked out. Still, if you're "older" and either wear a jacket or dont arrive in Daisy Dukes, you probably won't get an offer.
