Posted by ikesgal on 10/18/11 1:26pm
Msg #400864
appearance
I have been yet to another closing where there were 2 notaries showing up at same time this time not companies fault, but anyway the other notary showed up in jeans and tennis shoes. I thought the dress was dress casual not relaxed clothing, any comments?????????? she was asked to leave by the way
| Reply by Missy82 on 10/18/11 1:49pm
Msg #400868
Almost all independent contractor agreements I've seen when hired to do a closing address attire. They all want "business casual" dress, and several I've seen specifically state "NO jeans and t-shirts". Doesn't bother me, because I feel that I'm representing not just myself in a professional status, but also a signing agency. I think to show up in jeans and a t-shirt is a total disregard for professionalism. It's all about first impressions with buyers, and your appearance should indicate that you're a mature businessman/woman.
| Reply by Scott/NJ on 10/18/11 2:37pm
Msg #400873
"because I feel that I'm representing not just myself in a professional status, but also a signing agency. I think to show up in jeans and a t-shirt is a total disregard for professionalism."
Exactly. It doesn't matter who I am representing, really...it is "I" that I represent first and foremost. If I was coming to your house to fix your furnace, or change the oil in your car, then you might expect some dirt and grease under the fingernails or you might be suspicious! A Notary is a Commissioned State Official- I expect them to have that appearance when they arrive to perform their job.
| Reply by HisHughness on 10/18/11 3:00pm
Msg #400875
***A Notary is a Commissioned State Official- I expect them to have that appearance when they arrive to perform their job.***
Call me at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning to notarize an affidavit so that you can get your car out of the towing company's impound lot, you're going to get a notary in a collarless shirt, shorts, and shod in Crocs. Depending on your sex and how attractive you sound over the phone, I may or may not be considerate enough to take a breath mint. Lucy the Chihuahua WILL be accompanying me. I always insist that she take a mint -- for me, Devil take the client.
| Reply by LKT/CA on 10/18/11 6:03pm
Msg #400895
<<<Call me at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning to notarize an affidavit so that you can get your car out of the towing company's impound lot, you're going to get a notary in a collarless shirt, shorts, and shod in Crocs.>>>
Understood...however, the OP spoke of a loan signing, where we are subcontractors of another agency. Quite different than when you are hired directly by the customer.
| Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 10/18/11 10:25pm
Msg #400918
I think what some loan signers don't realize
is that many companies call the borrower(s) after a loan signers first signing and ask "what was the notary wearing?"
Dress is a big issue in our industry and I don't think some notaries understand that most borrower(s) think we are an employee of Bank of America/Wells Fargo/etc.
They know nothing about an notary/loan-signer.
A few years ago, I had a loan signer come to my house (refiance) and she was dressed in blue jeans, sweat shirt, tennis shoes. There was a problem with the compliance agreement and a male loan signer came dressed in "farmer boy jeans and open toe sandals to fix the agreement.
Both of them told me they weren't getting much work! Really!
| Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/18/11 11:06pm
Msg #400920
Re: I think what some loan signers don't realize
I am gobsmacked speechless at the thought of a hiring agency calling the borrowers and asking them what I was wearing. If I were the borrower and got a call like that, my first impression would be that this was an x-rated phone call. What was she wearing ... was it black ...skirt or pants ... was it tight.... was she wearing open-toe shoes... that's sick, is all I can say.
Furthermore, borrowers aren't interested in what I'm wearing - they're interested in their loan and how well I get them through it.
I suppose if I showed up like your loan signers did, looking like a deep-fried Daisy Mae and the White Lightning Boys, borrowers would notice and comment. I'm just stunned that of all the things to ask in a followup call that a description of my clothing would be requested. Yuk!
| Reply by LKT/CA on 10/18/11 11:22pm
Msg #400921
Re: I think what some loan signers don't realize
<<<If I were the borrower and got a call like that, my first impression would be that this was an x-rated phone call. What was she wearing ... was it black ...skirt or pants ... was it tight.... was she wearing open-toe shoes... that's sick, is all I can say.>>>
LOL! I'm sure the company would preface the questions with something like: "Hello Mrs./Mr. Borrower, this is Jane Jones from the ABC Company just following up to see if all went well at your loan signing with the notary signing agent. We'd also like your feedback on their level of knowledge and professionalism. Did he/she present a polished and business-like/professional appearance? What was he/she wearing?" <Then go the questions regarding knowledge/experience in presenting the signing package.>"
<<<Furthermore, borrowers aren't interested in what I'm wearing - they're interested in their loan and how well I get them through it.>>>
You'd be surprised to whom it mattered how you showed up at their home - particularly the older borrowers. It would matter to me and I wouldn't hesitate to ask someone to leave if they weren't properly dressed for the occasion.
| Reply by HisHughness on 10/19/11 2:11am
Msg #400926
Re: I think what some loan signers don't realize
***looking like a deep-fried Daisy Mae and the White Lightning Boys***
I've just got to get myself enrolled in that Golden Girl School of Advanced Descriptive Writing and Sartorial Criticism. Wish I'd done that years ago. Darned if I wouldn't be just kicked back and collecting royalties now.
| Reply by rengel/CA on 10/18/11 5:14pm
Msg #400887
Totally agree for loan signings, but...
I always have my notary bag in the trunk of my car and have received general notary calls while playing softball, volleyball, etc. I will always tell the signer that I am not dressed for business but will be glad to meet them in x amount of time when the game is finished. I have yet to have anyone complain about my attire. They are grateful for the prompt service!
That being said, I ALWAYS dress appropriately for loan signings and other general notary calls when given proper notice. : )
My .02
| Reply by Claudine Osborne on 10/18/11 9:37pm
Msg #400911
Re: Totally agree for loan signings, but...
I always dress business casual for closings..If someone comes to my door..well depends on what I'm doing I may not look that great..but most people are very happy that I can help them and they don't mind!
| Reply by Buddy Young on 10/18/11 9:59pm
Msg #400915
Re: Totally agree for loan signings, but...
I will always have a shirt on with a collar, probably a polo, because the golf course requires a shirt with a collar.
As for the rest of it, depends on how much notice I have. Short notice = shorts and tennis shoes in the summer time. In the winter time jeans and tennis shoes.
With proper notice you will get the same shirt with a collar, but you might get lucky and get slacks and dress shoes.
| Reply by rolomia on 10/22/11 3:28am
Msg #401291
Re: Totally agree for loan signings, but...
That is why I also keep a suit in my vehicle, just in case I receive a last-minute call for general notary work. It only takes a minute to change. Now, if only I had a matching cape to go with it...
| Reply by Karla/OR on 10/19/11 1:26am
Msg #400925
IMO, I think it depends somewhat on where you live. Dress in NYC is going to be different that Eugene, Oregon. I have been a professional all my life and have a pretty good feel for what is appropriate and what is not.
I recently wore Jeans to a signing on a Saturday night. We're talking dark blue jeans (not high-waters), a nice shirt and jacket, nice shoes (never tennis shoes), and hair and makeup done. I did not feel under-dressed. I have, however, always been taught to dress better than the client.
My point being, there are crummy looking jeans and shoes and then there are the kind that I described above. I work in a professional law firm that has high-end clients and we are allowed to wear jeans - it's just understood that they better look nice.
| Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 10/19/11 10:44pm
Msg #401057
Did you call the company that gave you
the assignment and ask if jeans were ok? If you had called they would have said NO!
| Reply by CopperheadVA on 10/19/11 6:29am
Msg #400927
I once had a last minute closing emergency from a client I had worked with on occasion before - seems the original notary showed up looking disheveled and even had some chest hair showing because his zip-up hoodie was partially unzipped and apparently he had no shirt on under the hoodie. The borrowers asked him to leave and called the TC to complain and told them to send someone else. I found out who the guy was, and this notary is one who takes $70 closings.
| Reply by Notarysigner on 10/19/11 10:53am
Msg #400935
IMO dress codes vary drastically across the country, I'm
sure for example the only place you will see "wingtips" would be in the courthouse.
I can't refer to my method of dressing as professional because I don't wear suits anymore. My dockers, Levis, jeans all are laundered, and my shirts are dress shirts. I do wear Birkenstock, closed toe. I mirror the borrowers 98% of the time so I don't see that as an issue.
It's another good reason to have your photo on your website, profile, etc., so companies will feel more comfortable with who they're hiring should that be a concern.
Come to think of it, how many of you know how the person is dressed that hires you and do you care?
| Reply by janCA on 10/19/11 11:08am
Msg #400939
Re: IMO dress codes vary drastically across the country, I'm
I agree, James. I know my area and I know the clientele. But in all honesty, it really boils down to common sense, which seems to be lacking in certain signing agents.
I had to find a notary about five years ago for our refinance. He came in jeans, sandals, carrying his journal in his hands with his notary stamp in his back pocket. Guess he couldn't afford any type of brief case, and this was in the boom years. He needed loose certs for a couple of docs, so I had to supply them. He did not know how to fill a cert out correctly; I had to show him. I was appalled. Said he wasn't getting much work. BIG SHOCKER!
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/19/11 8:36pm
Msg #401028
Re: IMO dress codes vary drastically across the country, I'm
Most likely, the person who hired me isn't going to be walking into my home - or going to interact with anyone other than people they see every day. I agree that a website photo is a good idea and that things vary a lot from place to place, but I think it's always a good idea to dress a couple of steps above what we expect from the borrowers. Other factors might include the day of the week, etc.
Personally - especially as a female - unless it's a very last minute thing (for general notary work) on a weekend, I would not be wearing jeans (even though that's my clothing of choice most of the time) and definitely not gym shoes - at any time! Over the years, I've transitioned away from business suits. I typically dress business casual, something that has a professional look, but also projects friendly, informal, approachable. Seems to work for me. (Being short probably also helps make me look very unthreatening to people...  )
| Reply by rolomia on 10/22/11 4:16am
Msg #401292
As my gf will attest...professional dress is best when
...meeting with single, male clients. Some men are easily affected by overtly-casual attire. When my gf first began completing loan signings, she would wear knee-length skirts and flashy blouses. When I tried to say something, she would declare her independence by emphatically stating that she didn't need her parent's help getting dressed when she was a child. And, she didn't need my help, now.
Then, one night, she came home in tears. When she finally calmed down, I asked her what happened. She said that a client had made unwanted advances toward her. When she rebuffed him, he apologized and she completed the closing. But, then, the man's fiance showed up and chewed my gf out for dressing the way she did. Apparently, the fiance knew about her groom's wandering eyes but blamed my gf was provoking him.
Interestingly enough, my gf said she was more affected by the fiance's comments than she was by the client's advances. There is a lesson here, though. The way one dresses can have a potential impact on the client's behavior toward the notary. That impact can be negative or positive, depending upon the notary's frame of reference. It's a subjective perception influenced by too many factors to list here. But, you get the general idea.
I'm a gentleman, first and foremost. But, even I have experienced unwanted advances from clients of both genders. It happens. I ALWAYS wear a conservative suit. I want to look professional but not stunning. Hard to do when you look as good as I do. Unfortunately, some clients cannot control themselves no matter HOW we dress. But, we should all do our part to lessen the physiological affect that our attire may have upon our clients.
After all, the only nightmares I want to read about are the ones you report having after watching a really scary horror movie. Then, tell us what movie you saw so that my gf & I can watch it, too.
| Reply by HisHughness on 10/22/11 10:13am
Msg #401299
I have learned the hard way
I always button the top button of my shirt, so that no chest hair shows.
I always face female borrowers, so the shapliness of my butt isn't apparent.
I always stoop down to pick up something.
And my business card no longer says I'm usually home alone on Saturday nights and like to disco.
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