Job interview on Friday!!!!- What should I wear??

londoner1998

Hello All- to my delight (and horror!) I have just been told I am through the the interview stage of a job I applied for and the interview will take place on Friday!
My dilemma is: I have a sort of 'uniform' that I use for job interviews- pinstripe trousers, white shirt, black shoes, very proper and neutral... impersonal. The company I work for has a smart/casual dress code and I normally come to work in jeans and t-shirts. Only senior managers wear suits and many not even that (TV execs wear their Converse proudly). But this would be a big promotion for me and while the job is still creative and relaxed in the dress-code I want to be taken seriously. Another thing is that at least one of the people in the panel knows me and has worked with me, so I don't want to appear as if I am in facy dress!! What to do? Making an effort for me means wearing my Doctor Martin's with a bit of make up and a nice top... I am tempted to go and buy something but I know for a fact I have what I need (must have, anyway, haven't looked properly in my wardrobe for ages!!) How can I appear professional and deserving of the promotion without stopping being myself??

minerva_windsong

Personally I've always been taught to dress smartly for an interview and then use the time to see what other staff wear in order to scope out the dress code. However the useful tip I've always been told is to wear something colourful as it makes you stand out - chances are in a sea of black suits and white shirts interviewers are more likely to remember you as 'the person with the red jumper/pink shirt etc'. If it's a creative environment as well chances are that individualisation of your outfit will help too.

HTH and best of luck!

londoner1998

Thank you Minerva
did you read my mind? I have a gorgeous top that I bought in India in December- it is a strong dark orange/copper colour ... it looks very smart and I get tons of compliments while wearing it- just the other day my boyfriend said to me ' that colous really suits you!' I think I will feel more confident wearing this than my 'interview' white shirt... not really me. A little voice inside me is saying: don't be silly- the guy interviewing knows you and you never ever wear this boring clothes at work!. I think I might treat myself to a haircut but other than that... jeans probably not a very good idea...not sure about this bit though...

margaretclare

According to an article I read recently, no visible bra straps, no mini-skirts and no cleavage on show. The writer of the article complained that too many female interviewees were dressing as if for a hen-party!!!

Wear your trousers but with a coloured top, if that gives you confidence.

londoner1998

Good thing about the Indian clothes I brought back with me is the modesty...lovely necklines and not an inch of anything resembling cleavage in sight...I might look around for a nice pair of (affordable) trousers... but my gut feeling is that they wouldn't be too bothered about the jeans/no jeans issue...may be darker/smarter jeans?

katieclampet

Hi, the best bit of advice I ever got was "dress for the job your want, not the job you've got". I would wear smart (dark) jeans or trousers, and the orange top you mentioned (it sounds lovely, and you feel good in it.) And definitely get a hair cut, if you feel great you will be more confident,

good luck, katiex

Mrs_P_Pincher

I've just been on a development course and we were told that for an interview you should 'dress up', so if the usual dress code is casual, go smart casual for interview and if the usual dress code is smart casual, go smart etc etc.

Mrs P P

londoner1998

What does a 'Assistant Content Producer- Metadata' wear to work??:rolleyes:
I have seen managers that were complete scruffs interviewing people and I work with someone that looks like she came out of 'Mad men' every single day... lovely clothes but a bit stuffy and over the top in our office ... this is a bizarre place indeed (clue- it is not a private company, is public and you get all sorts...).
Also, manicure my short fingernails (neutral, f course) and smile a lot...:cool:

floss2

If you don't have time to manicure, buff them - gives a fab shine and can be done on the bus / tube! It's also quite therapeutic

I would go with the dark trousers / jeans, smarter shoes & your orangey top (it sounds fab!) and your haircut

robpw2

i would wear your best underwear and nothing else then when they ask you why you could say well when i was preparing for this intevriw i was told to imagine you were all in your underwear and i dindt want to appear over dressed

GrammarGirl

Hello, what industry do you work in - sounds similar to mine?

We're completely casual for work - read my posts in the 'what are you wearing' threads and you'll see the kind of outfits I go for! I started this job 3 months ago and although it was the same job as my previous one, it was a big step up (like yours) and I wanted to make a good impression without fading into the background. I wore dark, straight-leg jeans (brand new, no rips or fading or anything) with a loose brown jersey top with lace around the neckline and a lace corsage and a long dusky pink cardigan. I wore a big brown leather belt and a fine, long gold necklace. To top it all off I wore bright green heels! Might sound a bit strange but looked great. Must've worked as well because I got the job!

I say wear something that makes you feel comfortable - a smarter version of your normal clothing. I really hate black trousers so would stay away - what about some tailored, knee length shorts with pumps and a bright top?