Suit or trousers & blouse/cardigan for interview?

Pinklepurr

Help please!

I have been invited for an interview as an administrator/receptionist at a private hospital. It is my first interview in six years so I am a little nervous! My current position doesn't require very formal clothes, but I usually wear black smart trousers and a top with a smart cardigan over if its cold. I don't possess a suit so I am a little reluctant to spend money on one.

Do you think a smart pair of trousers with smart heels and a long sleeve blouse would be appropriate enough or should I invest in a suit?

Would a cardigan be considered too casual? And if it is hot, would short sleeves be inappropriate or acceptable?

I want to strike the right balance so any help would be appreciated.

Denning.

That should be fine. Not having a jacket shouldn't go against you.

IMO a cardigan is too casual, it is office attire but not formal attire.

Long sleeve over short sleeve. Don't mess around with 'striking the right balance', you dress in the most formal business wear you have.

You don't get marked down for overdressing, at most it will just be commented on 'You look smart, you shouldn't have, we aren't that formal here', but that won't go against you.

anamenottaken

Pinklepurr wrote: »

Help please!

I have been invited for an interview as an administrator/receptionist at a private hospital. It is my first interview in six years so I am a little nervous! My current position doesn't require very formal clothes, but I usually wear black smart trousers and a top with a smart cardigan over if its cold. I don't possess a suit so I am a little reluctant to spend money on one.

Do you think a smart pair of trousers with smart heels and a long sleeve blouse would be appropriate enough or should I invest in a suit?

Would a cardigan be considered too casual? And if it is hot, would short sleeves be inappropriate or acceptable?

I want to strike the right balance so any help would be appreciated.

As we still have summer weather, trousers and smart long-sleeve blouse is fine.

If it were later in the year, I would definitely invest in a smart jacket for interviews. For example, black or navy trousers and a jacket in a solid colour which flatters you.

YORKSHIRELASS

I went for an interview a few weeks ago and it was about 30 degrees. I wore a short sleeved blouse, skirt, thin tights and shoes. I dithered about wearing a suit but it was so hot I knew it would be ridiculous. I must have looked OK because I got the job!

I think interviewers take one look at you and decide if you look smart or not, beyond that they dont really notice your clothing. For you its really important that whatever you wear feels comfortable and you are confident that you look good.

Good luck with the interview.

Denning.

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

I went for an interview a few weeks ago and it was about 30 degrees. I wore a short sleeved blouse, skirt, thin tights and shoes. I dithered about wearing a suit but it was so hot I knew it would be ridiculous. I must have looked OK because I got the job!

I think interviewers take one look at you and decide if you look smart or not, beyond that they dont really notice your clothing. For you its really important that whatever you wear feels comfortable and you are confident that you look good.

Good luck with the interview.

100%, they notice if you aren't smart not that you are smart. If you tick the box at first glance then they won't even think about it again.

Pont

As already suggested, smart trousers and blouse is appropriate. One point I would mention is check your shoes out. I interview alot, and I notice if interviewees have scuffed, worn down heels. Also, don't have oodles of cleavage on show!

Good luck with the interview.

Savvy_Sue

I'd be scouring the charity shops for a suit or jacket if you're going to be doing this more than once ...

Beachview_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'd be scouring the charity shops for a suit or jacket if you're going to be doing this more than once ...

Or Tesco. They have good suits that aren't expensive. Sometimes they reduce them too when they want to bring in more stock. And sometimes you can double up clubcard vouchers and use them on clothing.
I'm sure the other supermarkets are the same

Pinklepurr

Thanks for your help. I have sorted out my outfit now!

I have another question though! I currently work in a school and as such, term time leave is not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances, eg. A close family funeral.

As such, I have a dilemma as to how I am going to take the time off. I think my only option is to pull a sickie, which doesn't sit very well with me at all and I feel very guilty about. I cannot use my kids as an excuse to take time off as they are old enough not to need me at home if sick. Time off for medical reasons, eg. Doctor or dentist requires production of an appointment card! I think if I apply for time off, it may be refused or my Headeacher will not like the fact I am looking for other work.

My other option is to ask the person interviewing me for the new position as to whether it would be possible to reschedule the interview to a more convenient time for me. Is this a generally acceptable thing to do?

It's been six years since my last interview so I am bit out of practice of interview etiquette! Help!

Savvy_Sue

I'd start by phoning to ask if the interview time can be moved, and explain that because you work in a school it's difficult to take even the odd day off during term-time.

If not, or if you have to leave a bit early or come in a bit late, I think I'd go along the lines of "I'm sorry to have to ask, Headteacher, but I need to take a couple of hours / a half day next Wednesday for an appointment which I'm not able to change." I'd also practice a few phrases along the lines of "it's something personal which I'd prefer not to discuss at the moment / no, nothing is wrong but there are personal reasons for this which I'd rather not discuss atm" and so on.

If you are in a position to make the time up easily, I'd offer to do that at the same time.

Pulling a sickie or faking a medical appointment would be my last resort, as this may come out in your reference.

Of course you do have the ideal solution of saying that you have an appointment at the xx hospital (which is true), but that you do not wish to discuss the details at this stage!

Brassedoff

Savvy_Sue's advice is spot on.

When I interview people, first impressions count. It could be a cleaners job, but a cleaner in my eyes could be a future MD.

Whether it be female or male, I believe a suit is a must. If I saw someone came to me with 95% of what I were looking for, but were not very smart and the second person with 90%, but in a suit. The latter would get it.

My attitude has always been that if, having to attend the most important day for that person on a day, they could not be as smart and set the correct impression possible, what would their work be like once settled in?