What to wear to interview?

Storm

Hi all :hello:

I normally post mainly over on DFW, but would appreciate some opinions & advice please!

I've got a job interview on Friday morning for a job that I really want - more money, in a field I really want to develop in, a step up the ladder etc. My difficulty comes in that my one and only suit is too small for me now!

So, should I bite the bullet & go out to try and get a new suit to wear or do you think it's reasonable to wear a smart dress with a jacket that I already have?

It's a senior role in a small voluntary organisation, so not completely corporate-type people, and the programmes they run are arts based stuff for children & young people.

Thanks for all your opinions!

steveeeee

I would think that a smart dress + jacket would be fine.

BrunoM

I assume you're a lady!... in which case smart dress and jacket is fine for any role which wouldn't require suit wear day in day out.

(if you're male, don't go for the dress)

Storm

Yes, I'm a lady - although I guess a bloke turning up in a dress might mean some places would automatically give them the job cos they'd be worried about discrimination!

poe.tuesday

a dress if fine and you won't need a jacket if the dress is smart enough, you could always wear smart trousers and a nice top too.

isn't it odd how impressions on how people look can be make or break, I am interviewing all this week and I have told every single person NOT to come in suited and booted, it's for an entry level job and I want to know what they are like as people, I want them to be relaxed and I certainly won't be wearing a suit, I don't actually own one ;-)


good luck in the interview and go for the killer dress ;-)

pinkshoes

People's perceptions of a "smart dress" can be rather different. I'd go with a suit. Although the dress and jacket may look smart, interviewers often expect people to dress very smartly in a suit, because it's a sign you're trying really hard to make a good impression.

I interviewed some people last year, and one of the girls wore the sort of clothes i'd wear to a smart wedding i.e. floaty fashionable skirt, quirky top, with a jacket over the top. It just didn't look quite right for an interview. Another guy had white socks with his black suit and black shoes, which we had a good giggle at!

din_dons

Hi As long as you are smart and clean I am sure the dress and jacket will be ok. I recently interviewed someone who said that they had spent along time thinking about what to wear when asked how did you prepare for this interview, they were in a scruffy green teashirt, jeans and dripping with gold-needless to say she didn't get the job!!!

LizD_2

If it's for a creative job, I'd be inclined to go for something a little more inventive than a suit. Separates always look more up to date. Personally I'd go for a smart jacket, non-matching but toning trousers and a top. I will add that I don't do skirt suits!

lexi

Hi, i am in the same dilemna as Storm (sorry to nick your thread!), so any advice would be helpful too. I have 2 interviews tomorrow. One in an Estate Agents as an Admin assistant & secondly in a playschool as a one to one assistant. Some difference eh! i know what i will wear to the school one ( i know the women involved so can be more casual & relaxed around them). However i am unsure about the first one. I do have 2 jackets, a staple black & a more casual beige one. Trousers too, but they are not a suit. Dresses skirts etc i have plenty, but they are what i would call summery types.........flowery, shifts, skimpy! etc. I was thinking maybe a pair of black trousers & smart top, perhaps white, but dont want to look like a waiter! As its an estate agents, the look will be important, but i dont want to over do it by looking more like a bank clerk. Then again i dont want to look as if i am going shopping! Ugh its such a headache, but as someone has posted, the look can make the difference. Please help! Oh, & storm i wish to all the best in your interview, sorry i cant advise you, but its pointless when i cant even dress myself! lol.

november

Storm wrote: »

Hi all :hello:

It's a senior role in a small voluntary organisation, so not completely corporate-type people, and the programmes they run are arts based stuff for children & young people.

Dress and jacket. I am a manager in a small voluntary organisation and mostly wear casual smart - tops and trousers or tops and skirts with a jacket when/if appropriate.

A sneaky tip for interviews is, think of something to go in and get from the organisation if possible e.g. a leaflet or something. Then you can see what they people are wearing For interviews go by that but move one up if necessary e.g. if everyone is in jeans wear casual smart trousers.

lexi wrote:

I have 2 interviews tomorrow. One in an Estate Agents

I had business at an Estate Agents yesterday. I had black trousers and a black and white blouse on (it was very warm) with small heeled sandals. The Manager there had black trousers and a light coloured blouse as did the other women in the office. The male estate agent had a suit and tie on.

Don't worry about looking like a waiter unless your top screams 'waiter!'. Most estate agents I know seem to wear black suits with white/light coloured blouses/shirts.

Good luck to both of you for your interviews

Savvy_Sue

lexi wrote: »

but its pointless when i cant even dress myself! lol.

Well you'll be a lot of help in the playschool then won't you? :rotfl:

Sorry, I couldn't resist that!

I was also more helpfully going to suggest dropping by the estate agents to see what they were all wearing ... not so helpful in a voluntary organisation, because I know we only dress up at work when we're expecting visitors!