I’ve been working from Starbucks quite a bit lately. I love watching the people come and go.

As an aside, I have a lawyer friend who rants in a totally entertaining and intelligent manner about Starbucks lawyers and other things. He isn’t really a fan of running your practice from a coffee shop. I disagree. Being who and what I am, I tend to think that you can work from Starbucks or anywhere else if you can (1) make clients happy and (2) take home the money to support yourself and your family. My local Starbucks has helped me generate millions in revenues and more than a few happy clients. Plus, Starbucks caffeine is probably responsible for 200+ of these blog posts (thank you very much).

Now, back to the regularly scheduled programming…

So, I’m sitting in Starbucks watching a job interview. If you’ve ever been to Starbucks, you’ve probably seen this happening. It’s kind of unbelievable. The interviewer asks the questions, and the applicant answers in a voice loud enough for most of us in the store to hear. It’s kind of like watching Oprah (I imagine, since I haven’t actually watched Oprah).

For the applicant, it really is like being on a stage. Maybe that’s why the employers do it there?

I’ve learned some pretty interesting interview questions (e.g., What do you want written on your tombstone?).

I’ve also watched the applicants’ choice of clothing.

The experts say that on the day of the interview, applicants will look as good as they’re ever going to look. It’s all downhill from the interview. You aren’t going to dress them up from that point.

By the way, the picture illustrating this article is Britney Spears with her Starbucks cups. Was she there for an interview?

What is it they say about “lipstick on a pig?”

Anyway, some of the clothing the applicants wear can only be described as a “wardrobe malfunction.” It just isn’t working for them.

I hate to be shallow (I just am), but you’ve got to take a good look at what applicants are wearing when you do the interview. Remember that this outfit is “the outfit.” They didn’t pick it by accident. They thought about it and decided this is what would get them the job.

Unless you’ve got people working in the basement reviewing documents, you need to be conscious of the impression your employees make on your clients. Take a look at how they present themselves in the interview and factor it into your decision. Don’t think you’re going to get them to change later. They are who they are, and if that doesn’t work for you, then invite someone else to your local Starbucks for an interview.