Arriving to an Interview in a TVR
Discussion
I have a ‘chat’ with a potential employer at their offices, followed by lunch with the team at a nearby (but a drive away) pub. I don’t know if I want to work there and they don’t know if they want to employ me, so it’s not a formal interview. There’s lots to the story but essentially it would be a backwards step for me financially; but a very positive step in terms of family and work/life balance.
Anyway. Typically, my wife and daughter have an important appointment at the same time as my important appointment and will be using our civilised practical and smart daily driver.
I can either hire a car at my expense, or take my TVR Tuscan. The offices look on to the car park and there will be no escaping the discussion of my car during the drive to the pub.
On one hand it shows my character and personality but on the other hand it may look like a dick waving attempt, to non-car people, I could come across as a total prick.
Opinions? I’m leaning towards a simple hire car.
Anyway. Typically, my wife and daughter have an important appointment at the same time as my important appointment and will be using our civilised practical and smart daily driver.
I can either hire a car at my expense, or take my TVR Tuscan. The offices look on to the car park and there will be no escaping the discussion of my car during the drive to the pub.
On one hand it shows my character and personality but on the other hand it may look like a dick waving attempt, to non-car people, I could come across as a total prick.
Opinions? I’m leaning towards a simple hire car.
It took me a long time to realise it's more fun working at a company where you can be yourself, than hiding hobbies and interests away because they aren't social norms. So I'd say go ahead. Maybe there's a petrol head or two there that will appreciate your breaking the ice with your car.
NewNameNeeded said:
It took me a long time to realise it's more fun working at a company where you can be yourself, than hiding hobbies and interests away because they aren't social norms. So I'd say go ahead. Maybe there's a petrol head or two there that will appreciate your breaking the ice with your car.
This. If people have an issue with your car, you probably don’t want to work there 
sorry
This is tricky.
I had a nice Passat that I liked, but I used to get clients "digs" about the car, they expected me to have a "nicer" car etc. I thought if I had a nicer car at a client meet they would think I was charging too much. I now use an E Class Convertible with a company plate. So far no-one has said "flash sod" or anything like that and people still instruct me....
I guess it depends on the salary level for the job, if it would still enable you to run a Tuscan etc and you can always at the pub note at some stage "people always think they are expensive cars but they cost less than X or Y car".......
I had a nice Passat that I liked, but I used to get clients "digs" about the car, they expected me to have a "nicer" car etc. I thought if I had a nicer car at a client meet they would think I was charging too much. I now use an E Class Convertible with a company plate. So far no-one has said "flash sod" or anything like that and people still instruct me....
I guess it depends on the salary level for the job, if it would still enable you to run a Tuscan etc and you can always at the pub note at some stage "people always think they are expensive cars but they cost less than X or Y car".......
NewNameNeeded said:
It took me a long time to realise it's more fun working at a company where you can be yourself, than hiding hobbies and interests away because they aren't social norms. So I'd say go ahead. Maybe there's a petrol head or two there that will appreciate your breaking the ice with your car.
Definitely this. As an employer myself I would encourage people to be themselves and if this means they demonstrate personality and confidence then that's perfect.If they judge you negatively then they're not the people for you.
ColdoRS said:
I have a ‘chat’ with a potential employer at their offices, followed by lunch with the team at a nearby (but a drive away) pub. I don’t know if I want to work there and they don’t know if they want to employ me, so it’s not a formal interview. There’s lots to the story but essentially it would be a backwards step for me financially; but a very positive step in terms of family and work/life balance.
Anyway. Typically, my wife and daughter have an important appointment at the same time as my important appointment and will be using our civilised practical and smart daily driver.
I can either hire a car at my expense, or take my TVR Tuscan. The offices look on to the car park and there will be no escaping the discussion of my car during the drive to the pub.
On one hand it shows my character and personality but on the other hand it may look like a dick waving attempt, to non-car people, I could come across as a total prick.
Opinions? I’m leaning towards a simple hire car.
If it isn't super loud and you don't drive like a wally you'll be fine. I have turned up to business meetings and sales gigs in all sorts of stuff and it has never, as far as I know, been to my detriment. More than once I have been told it went in my favour.Anyway. Typically, my wife and daughter have an important appointment at the same time as my important appointment and will be using our civilised practical and smart daily driver.
I can either hire a car at my expense, or take my TVR Tuscan. The offices look on to the car park and there will be no escaping the discussion of my car during the drive to the pub.
On one hand it shows my character and personality but on the other hand it may look like a dick waving attempt, to non-car people, I could come across as a total prick.
Opinions? I’m leaning towards a simple hire car.
k. And it is loud.With a number of unusual cars it has been a challenge to bring something mundane to work.
Overall I found driving a nice car garners more closet hate than positivity.
Unfortunately when you hear that one of the senior managers making envious noises having noticed an unusual car it seems to result in resentment for no genuine reason.
A contractor I know has been making well into 6 figures for years (decades); his MO is to wear a cheap plastic watch, and drive an older mundane car; also dressing low key.
Seems the best solution for avoiding the attitude described above rather than standing out with what are perceived as trinkets
Overall I found driving a nice car garners more closet hate than positivity.
Unfortunately when you hear that one of the senior managers making envious noises having noticed an unusual car it seems to result in resentment for no genuine reason.
A contractor I know has been making well into 6 figures for years (decades); his MO is to wear a cheap plastic watch, and drive an older mundane car; also dressing low key.
Seems the best solution for avoiding the attitude described above rather than standing out with what are perceived as trinkets
My son was given a 17k mile Astra 1.6 W Reg mk4 by his grandad.
He is on the grad training for one of the big 4 accountancy firms and is often on client sites as part of the auditing team.
A couple of times he's had finance managers express surprise that his car is 22 years old.
I think one time he just laughed and said, what little money he makes, goes into saving to buy his first house, so if he has a car that works, why would he change it. (Birmingham clean air zone maybe ?).
It's like the opposite of the OP's problem....
He is on the grad training for one of the big 4 accountancy firms and is often on client sites as part of the auditing team.
A couple of times he's had finance managers express surprise that his car is 22 years old.
I think one time he just laughed and said, what little money he makes, goes into saving to buy his first house, so if he has a car that works, why would he change it. (Birmingham clean air zone maybe ?).
It's like the opposite of the OP's problem....
GordonGekko said:
With a number of unusual cars it has been a challenge to bring something mundane to work.
Overall I found driving a nice car garners more closet hate than positivity.
Unfortunately when you hear that one of the senior managers making envious noises having noticed an unusual car it seems to result in resentment for no genuine reason.
A contractor I know has been making well into 6 figures for years (decades); his MO is to wear a cheap plastic watch, and drive an older mundane car; also dressing low key.
Seems the best solution for avoiding the attitude described above rather than standing out with what are perceived as trinkets
Meanwhile I've been a senior manager (and made envious noises occasionally) and mainly been one of those evil contractors for the last 25 years.Overall I found driving a nice car garners more closet hate than positivity.
Unfortunately when you hear that one of the senior managers making envious noises having noticed an unusual car it seems to result in resentment for no genuine reason.
A contractor I know has been making well into 6 figures for years (decades); his MO is to wear a cheap plastic watch, and drive an older mundane car; also dressing low key.
Seems the best solution for avoiding the attitude described above rather than standing out with what are perceived as trinkets
I've turned up in TVR's, a Porsche and an R8. The Car's especially got the more positive reaction from employers, clients and suppliers. Often with plenty of mickey taking given the public perception of reliability (which has some grounding in the truth TBF).
As other posters have said, be yourself.
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