Weird question, but I’m a fairly fashionable guy/workout - but I typically tone down even simple fashion statements because I feel like I have to dress more casual due to the sloppiness/obesity of my coworkers. I feel like the tech uniform isn’t a suit, but being generally unkempt and out of shape - and you lose credibility if you are well put together. Am I just being a dumbass or is there truth to this?
Yes it is truth, you are usually (not always) surrounded by people with low confidence so you have to tune down to blend in. techies also hate good looking people due to their insecuritie.
IT at a bank is not reflective of tech folks, who usually have very high confidence in their abilities and DGAF about what others think
I work at tech now so chill. High confidence lol
Why does it matter? You do you and be happy. If people are insecure about how well you take care of yourself, they have their own battles to fight. It might even inspire some to take better care of themselves.
I work out and stay fit for my personal happiness and health, and I’m not sacrificing that to fit in with insecure engineers. If they want to judge my technical ability based on how I look then screw them.
I'm surprised how many people apparently care about this. I definitely assume someone who is more put together is more competent in general.
Time spent in the gym is time you could have used to Leetcode.
I've noticed because I make an effort to dress nice and look presentable others around me make an effort to look presentable too. Keep up the good work. We need more people like you!
In earlier days I heard references to the "fat guy who knows C++" as a stereotype of a real engineer, whereas the cool kids writing JavaScript in coffee shops were seen as lightweights (lol). I think it's real, but the fat guy who knows C++ is too much of a professional to care as long as you do good work. I'd be more worried about the fat gal who does compliance.
There's truth to it. But as long as you're being nice and show the others that although you have a shredded six pack, a clean haircut, perfect jawline and great teeth that you are one of them. They dgaf and honestly enjoy your presence even more. Take it from me.
i think if anything, paying attention to your looks will make you stand out. as long as you are not a mean person, techies don't dislike fashion