interview updates « YouLookFab Forum

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interview updates

Hi everyone!
Thanks for all of your support and advice on what to wear for my interviews - I haven't gotten a job yet, but I have interviews with 3 different university housing departments, which is where I'd like to continue working, and I made it through my "back-up plan" interview processes with Talbots, J. Crew, and REI.

I don't feel like Talbots will hire me because I don't have any retail experience, but I rocked the interview. The manager had me "sell" as much as I could to a petite associate. I put together an outfit (and thanks to many of you who are petite and post about your fit issues (especially shiny!)) I was able to talk her out of unflattering capris and into clamdiggers, jewelry and an appropriate-length of top for pants. It was fun to put things together, but it was clear the manager expected me to put outfits together that are more "matchy" than I prefer to wear myself. Does anyone else feel that being too matchy can age you, or is it just me?

I wore a white skirt, yellow AK flats, and a green top with a brown wrap jacket to the Talbot's and REI interviews. REI's interview went great, and I was glad I dressed nicely because the managers I interviewed with were men in their 50's. Perhaps that just my assumption that a man that age might appreciate a well-dressed candidate, but I certainly felt like I was taken seriously. I guess I don't want to be perceived as a student.

I wore an orange ruffled wrap dress for J. Crew. I interviewed with 6 other applicants at a big table in a Starbucks in the mall. I wasn't expecting that, but since interviewing in groups in what I did at my old job, so it went well. I was surprised that some of the applicants didn't dress the part - unironed dress shirts and wrinkly ties on two guys, see-through tops on two ladies, and one guy was looking away from the group the entire time. I guess it helped me out because I made it to "round two" and got an individual interview, which also went well.

I'm supposed to hear back about almost all of the jobs I've interviewed with by the end of this week or early next week. Meanwhile my husband and I moved to an apartment in Portland because my last job's contract ended, and since that job provided housing, out we go! :) I don't have the internet at home, so I'll check in when I can!

Thanks again!

The latest reply was from Sihaya . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.

19 Replies

Posted 4 months ago

Michelle

Laura, sounds like you absolutely smoked the interviews and looked hot to boot! Good luck finding something asap!
P.S. as an ex-recruiter, I was laughing out loud at the story of the other J. Crew candidates... sadly, it's not surprising. Some time or other I'll post a thread of real-life resume/interview bloopers I came across in my job just for laughs. :)

Posted 4 months ago

Angie (website)

Oh! Thanks for the wonderful update, LE. I know you’ll get a job, especially since the interviews went so well. Of course you impressed them :0)

Good luck with the next lot and keep us posted.

Posted 4 months ago

Maya (website)

It sounds like you have some promising leads LE. I hope something pulls through for you.

Michelle, I would be very interested in hearing that list. I probably belong on that list after sending out a job application and forgetting to attach my resume :( No more sending out apps at 2:00 in the morning...

Posted 4 months ago

san

Way to go LE. You have been busy doing interviews and moving. As long as you are active things will happen for you. Good for you for keeping at it until the doors open.
Thankyou for checking in with us because you know we miss our members when they go away.

Posted 4 months ago

medusa

Great job! I'm glad you gave an update. Knowing that you were well dressed when some of the other applicants looked sloppy must helped your confidence a lot.

Posted 4 months ago

Chris

Sounds like the interviews went well - hope they call you soon!
Your outifts sound well thought through but I'll bet it was your confidence and answers that impressed them :)

Posted 4 months ago

Vani (website)

I'll bet your outfits, confidence and talent dazzled them all :-) Good luck and continue to keep us posted Laura!

Posted 4 months ago

LauraElizabeth

Well, I got a part-time job at J. Crew - I start next week! It will be great to have some income coming in while I wait to hear about university jobs! Thanks everyone!

Posted 4 months ago

chewyspaghetti (website)

Congrats!

Posted 4 months ago

Angie (website)

Fabulous ! Knew you would impress them :0)

Posted 4 months ago

cciele

Congrats, LauraElizabeth, on the JCrew job! I hope you hear something good from the university jobs too :)

Posted 4 months ago

Lena

Excellent news, LE! Keep it up! I'm sure this part time job will give you another boost of confidence, and this never hurts, especially in this lousy job market. Good luck!

Posted 4 months ago

Michelle

Congratulations Laura!!! I bet you'll have a university job soon, since you obviously have interviewing down to an art (group interviews can be tough to pass)!
Oh and enjoy the staff discounts, if you get them. :)

Posted 4 months ago

Joy

Congratulations! It sounds like a job that will be fun too.

Posted 4 months ago

laura65

Good luck, Laura! The interview with Talbots sounds interesting ... and not surprising that the manager was matchy-matchy ... hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

Posted 4 months ago

KristenKP

Woohooo, congrats!

Posted 4 months ago

Inge (website)

Congratulations LE! I've always imagined that being surrounded all day by the gorgeous colour of the J. Crew clothes would put me in a good mood. Keep us posted;-)

Posted 4 months ago

yublocka (website)