Job Interview - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Job Interview

Nicole

Veteran

I have a job interview tomorrow morning, and I'd love some guidance. It's been a very long time since I've been on an interview. I've been at my current job for 6+ years, and I never actually interviewed for it. It just kind of landed on my lap. And my job before that was pre kids, and again, I didn't actually have an interview. I tested for the position, passed the test, and was offered a position.

The interview is with a realty company, so I am prepared to be rather conservative in my outfit. I actually don't have very high hopes about actually wanting this job, because of the current condition of the real estate market. (Which is why I'm looking for a new job.) But I figure the practice will do me good, and you never know when one interview leads to another.

So, if I wear a skirt, should I wear hose for an interview? I never wear hose at work now...and if I do wear hose, do I wear sheer or colored? I do have some dress pants that I could wear, but it's supposed to be 80+ tomorrow, and I feel much more comfortable in skirts in general. Plus, I think it shows respect for the interview itself. I was thinking of maybe wearing that white blouse that has the rouching just under the bust. It's pretty conservative. But I don't want to look like a waitress either, so I'm reluctant to wear black skirt, white blouse. I have a beautiful Tahari skirt, in a pinkish beige with a suble pin stripe....but will white and beige be too blah? I could add a cardi over it for some color and structure.

Also, any pointers on the interview itself--especially if you have recently been interviewed, or regularly interview people--would be great. I tend to talk really stupidly if I feel I'm being judged by my words. I say things I had no intention of saying. Then after the fact I realize I just told some stranger about my menstruel cycle, or what kind of underwear my husband wears. It's like I have no filter between brain and mouth.

Thanks everyone...and wish me luck!

Dressing

46 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Maya

Veteran

My first "real" interview was probably about 2 months ago now. It was a disaster. I went into it knowing that I wouldn't get the job anyway, and also knowing that I couldn't take it even if it was offered to me, so I didn't really practice or prepare. I also didn't notice that my interview-appropriate clothes were "limited" to say the least, until the night before. I went with some black pants, black flats, a red striped button down shirt, and a black sweater over that. It was terrible. It looked so...well...black. I looked very meek and timid in it, and I kind of felt that way too. I made the mistake of wearing glasses as well, thinking they would make me look more funky and computer-geeky in a good way. But I just looked geeky, and the outfit didn't help. I don't know to what extent your clothes affect you, but I really think that had a very negative effect on my confidence throughout the interview. I felt like a mouse, or worse: like an awkward college kid with no experience. The woman at the front desk was a witch too. She made me feel so uncomfortable. All of these factors really deflated whatever personality I had before I even started the interview.

I also didn't prepare at all for it, since I felt like it would be a waste of time (like I said, I couldn't take the job anyway). I wish I had now, if for no other reason than sparing me the embarrassment I put myself through. And perhaps I would have had enough confidence not to let that wretched front desk woman get to me.

Preparation will also help prevent you from rambling. I have the opposite problem: I just don't know what to say. I don't exactly have years of experience to draw on. No "I increased sales by 15% in my first year!" or anything like that. If you google interview questions, you'll get a bunch of examples. You might not be asked all of them, but at least it makes you think about some basic information most people would want to know. A lot of the questions overlap in some ways. What are you most proud of and what was your biggest accomplishment might be the same thing. If you think the answer through ahead of time and compose your thoughts, I think you're less likely to babble about your husband's underwear. I'm also not afraid to ask for a few seconds to think over the question and compose my thoughts. That also helps prevent me from saying anything embarrassing, or making things up as I go along.

Anyway, I learned my lesson. The next interview I had went SO much better. One thing I did that impressed them (enough for them to tell me) was writing down my questions. I think that, along with one of my portfolio pieces, was what made them call me back.

As for clothes, I wore a skirt, but no hose. I think I can get away with a lot more in my field though. If I were you, I would err on the side of conservative. It won't hurt if you wear hose, but it might if you don't. Definitely sheer/nude. You can always take them off after the interview is over. I think the fit of the clothes is key, and it's actually probably in your best interest not to wear a punchy color at this stage. Normally wearing a white shirt and brown skirt would be blah to me (this is what I wore for the 2nd interview), but the fit of both and some of the subtle details in the outfit made it look pretty great. In your case, the pinstripe is the subtle detail. As long as everything fits and you look crisp and neat and clean, you're probably in good shape. Neat hair, clean and trimmed fingernails, and subtle makeup are your accessories.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt, though. I'm not exactly experienced.

Good luck, auntie!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

First of all Nicole, good luck! I'm sure you come across a lot better in interviews than you suspect.

Maya, I enjoyed hearing your thoughts and suggestions. They are GREAT. I have nothing profound to add. Are you going back for a third interview?

Nicole, your white button down is perfect. But is it too long for skirts? It looked great with pants. How about pairing it with those new wide-leg tan pants? How about a closed shoe? Which handbag? Remember to wear lipstick.

If you wear the Tahari skirt, which shoes are you planning on wearing with the skirt? I’m on the fence about nude hose. They can look very un-stylish. I’m all for remaining conservative for a interview, but I’m not sure nude hose are the way to go in hot weather. We’ll hear what others say.

Tanya

Veteran

I have never interviewed so I have zero experience in this. Even though a find sheer nude hose un-stylish as well, if you are wearing a skirt I'd wear the hose too.
I find Boston pretty conservative when it comes to professional dressing, so this is safer in my opinion. Good Luck!

Julia

I found that interview outfit in Summer is very tricky. I had two in the past that happened in Summer. I opted for pant suits to avoid the tights dilemma. It worked out pretty well. I wore a sleeveless blouse under the jacket so I can take off the jacket while driving and walking. I interviewed for IT jobs at banks so they were probably more conservative than yours. I actually like Angie's idea of the wide-leg pants and white button down, you can add a statement necklace to make it more interesting.

Let us know what you decide and good luck!

Dani

Veteran

I don't have anything else to add except good luck. I would always err on the conservative side for an interview so if you do wear a skirt, I would wear sheer hose. Let us know how it turns out and what you wore

Nicole

Veteran

Ack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I'd come on here and have a cut and dried answer ready for me! Dang!

Well I ironed my Tahari skirt, and my white blouse...I hadn't remembered that it was too long to wear with skirts. I am a little leary of wearing pants, so perhaps I'll change my choice of tops. How about that kind of shiny blue AT shirt with the rouching along the neckline? I don't really have a summer weight jacket--so I'd have to wear a cardigan, if anything at all.

I will wear hose. The fact that I had a brand new pair in my closet was a sign from the powers that be. (I never wear hose, so the fact that I had a fresh pair is miraculous).

Nicole

Veteran

OK I just tried on a few of my ideas....even though it was after 10 pm and I didn't feel like it. Boy I'm glad I did!

I realized that my only pair of closed toe shoes are not skirt worthy. (The vamp is too high). So, I'm going with pants.

I have a pair of wide legged dark grey dress trousers with a wide cuff. They may be a little bit wintery for August--so I'm also going to iron my tan wide leg pants (though I think the grey ones are more conservative and go better with the shoes). I'm going to pair either pants with a pink, cream and black striped blouse under a cardi (either black or white).

I got the phone call for the interview this afternoon, so I didn't have much time to prepare. But this makes me realize that I need an interview outfit that will span summer to winter and a pair of closed toe pumps.

Thanks for your help.

marianne

Good luck with your interview Nicole! Maya made a very good point about preparing questions. IMO you need to ask a lot about the kind of job you'd be doing, who you'd be working with, what's a typical day like etc. It shows your interest and also doesn't let the interviewer drive the conversation the whole time

Sihaya

Veteran

Hi Nicole - all the best. I'll have my appendages crossed for your tomorrow, youc an call me pretzel lady or PW for short Outfits - depends on the industry though I'm curious what makes you think pants don't show respect - in most industries where I have clients, pants would be considered perfectly fine on women. I would always shoot for one notch at least above what your interviewers will be wearing in terms of polish and formality.

As for interview prep, I do this a ton so if you are about to go into heavy interview season, Angie can give you my phone number and I'd be happy to walk you through in great detail. Short notes:
- Be really clear on the top 3 reasons/strengths why they should hire you for the job. Make sure you have at least one example that demonstrates at least one of your strengths. Telling me you have a great work ethic, attention to detail, and great team work makes you the same as just about every other candidate I meet. Telling me how you rolled up your sleeves and helped your co-worker meet her deadline because her deliverables were a higher priority to the overall business/customer and giving me some details I can remember you by, makes you stand out. Remember that they are interviewing many many people and you need to stand out - in a positive way. And they really want you to be "it" so they don't have to interview any more!
- Decide what you will say and how when they ask the dreaded "so what are your weaknesses" question. I typically say be truthful but sometimes you can make your strengths about skills (I can pick up foreign languages really easily) and your weaknesses can be about specific knowledge (I don't speak Swahili which is recommended for this job). Also have a story handy about a failure but be sure to add at the end of it what you would do differently with 20/20 hindsight and what you learned from it.
- Make sure you have 1 or 2 questions to ask of them - remember this is a 2 way interview and also demonstrates you've done your homework.

Lastly - you'll rock. I would hire you in a heartbeat just because I know I'd laugh so much more each day I was around you

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Nicole! This isn't really my area and it looks like the other ladies have got you on track. I just wanted to say, "Good luck!"

cyan45

oops, too late for suggestions (everyone covered that fantastically).

BEST OF LUCK!!! we are rooting for you

Steph

Veteran

Hi Nicole, I think I might be too late for this interview, but I'm not positive. If you already had the interview, I hope it went well--let us know!

Here's my general interview dress advice, as someone who interviewed a lot of people in the past. I am a lawyer, and everyone always wore suits when they interviewed. I realize that is not necessarily the case at most jobs, though--lawyers are conservative in that way. I recently interviewed for a job, however, in a mid-sized corporation, and I decided to err on the side of caution and wear a suit. I just wasn't sure if it would be expected, and I figured better safe than sorry. I'm glad I did, because recently I was talking to one of the people who hired me and she said something about wearing a suit the day I interviewed because she knew I would be wearing one. I know it isn't expected everywhere, but unless it would look out of place because it was way too formal, I would wear a suit for an interview because I feel like even if it isn't necessary, it always looks nice and respectful.

Whether or not I wore a suit (I realize that industry plays a role in that), I would always wear hose and closed-toed shoes for an interview. Even though hose might not be the most fashionable, I do think it lends an air of professionalism that bare legs don't. Mind you, I never wear hose to work--I'm always bare-legged in the summer. But I think an interview is different and it just comes across as more appropriate and polished.

For my most recent interview I wore a cute navy blue suit and was torn between wearing it with bare legs and bright green peep-toed shoes or hose and brown shoes. The green peep-toes were way cuter and more fashionable, but I decided that if I had to make the choice between more fashionable and more safe/appropriate, in an interview I should go with the latter. It was sad, because the shoes really WOULD have looked great with the suit. Obviously, having it all would be great, but my interview was last-minute, so I had to make the best of it. After being caught slightly unawares, I have since bought a pair of shoes that look cute and a little more polished, so I know I won't be in that position again!

Kyle

Veteran

I recommend being conservative in your dress, including hose. It's appropriate for an interview, though not the most fashionable.

I addition to preparing for specific questions, think about and jot down some talking points before you go -- specific points you want to make about your background, experience, and successes.

Show your prospective employer how you will be an invaluable addition to the team and make his/her life easier. Ask questions...they want to know you are interested.

Make comments and observations that show you know their business and their company. Perhaps they were recently acquired...or had a particularly good quarter...or are facing some economic challenge. Do your research. This will make an impression.

Follow up immediately with a handwritten thank you note that incorporates a reference to something specific they said in the interview. Chances are, no other candidate will do the same and, again, you will stand out from the crowd.

Good luck!

Tanya

Veteran

So how did it go Nicole? I am very curious.

Maya

Veteran

Me too me too! Also want to see a picture of what you ended up wearing.

Nicole

Veteran

Hi everyone! Thank you all so much for you advice and input. It really was helpful. Maya, your reminder to be prepared to answer some seemingly odd questions was invaluable. Thank you SO much for that information. Since I had less than 24 hours to prepare, I was so worried about what to wear, that I was forgetting to prepare my thought process as well as my outfit. I took your advice and googled common interview questions. It really made me calm and comfortable going in knowing that I was prepared.

Ok...so the interview itself went really well. I felt totally competent and confident. If I had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 9. I'm not sure that I would want this job, otherwise, I'd have scored it a 10. I felt perfectly dressed, and now have a plan in place to have at least one interview outfit ready at all times.

Sihaya, thank you for your offer and all your helpful advice! My hesitation with pants is not a general feeling--it's very specific to my body and the current season. I like the way I look in skirts much better than pants, and I have more summer business skirts than summer pants. But since I didn't have the right shoes to wear with the right skirt, I wore pants instead. (I took a photo, I'll post it later).

Now about the job itself...it would be somewhat similar to what I do now (I'm a legal assistant for a real estate attorney). It is an Admin job for a realtor. The hours would be ideal (I want to continue to work part time but still have some flexibility), and the work enviornment seemed very attractive. But my one hesitation is the real estate market itself. The reason I'm looking for a a new job is because my current job is so slow, I forsee a layoff in my future. The one factor that weighs in favor of taking the job, is this was a full time position that was pared down to part time because of the slow real estate market. The position is being filled because the woman who worked there for 10 years, can't afford to work part time. So the new position already reflects the enviornment. I'm not going to worry about whether or not I want this job, until I actually hear back about it. No point in worrying about what to do, if I'm not offered the position, right?

So thank you all so much, having this first interview under my belt is a weight off my shoulders. Hopefully, I will continue to interview with as much success. I have no doubt that all of your help, not just in this thread, but all the help I get from this wonderful group of people, made me go in to that interview with out being nervous and filled with confidence.

Nicole

Veteran

OK, here's what I wore:

http://s289.photobucket.com/al.....iew010.jpg

anne

Veteran

Nicole,
So glad it went well! I was thinking about you and how the interview went! I hope you'll find out soon

Dani

Veteran

Nicole, you looked super! I really like the outfit you chose to wear. Glad the interview went well. It's always great getting that first one behind you and gaining confidence. I always have to remind myself that I'm checking out the company and prospective employers as much as they are checking me out Definitely no need to worry until you hear something (but that's always easier said than done for me personally)! Keep us posted.

Tanya

Veteran

Glad to hear it went well Nicole. The outfit was great, you looked very polished. Good luck with hearing back from them.

Maya

Veteran

Yay Nicole. I'm glad it went well and that I could help despite my pitiful lack of experience. I am also wondering if I should accept the job I interviewed for, without even being offered it yet, but like you said, no point worrying about it until then.

And of course you looked fab! I'd hire you (yeah I'm sure THAT means a lot!).

shiny

Veteran

Completely missed this thread - Glad to hear the interview went well!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wonderful! I'm happy you felt you aced the interview. That’s always a good feeling. Keep us posted on its outcome.

Your outfit was perfectly polished. You look fab! Well done.

Lena

Hi Nicole,

I'm glad to hear your interview went well. I wish you luck!

Becky

Veteran

Nicole, I'm glad all went well. Your interview outfit was perfect for a less formal interview such as this one.

Sihaya

Veteran

Yay Nicole - what you say about pants/skirts makes sense and your final choice was great.

Nicole

Veteran

I have been offered the job. I have decided to accept it. I'm going in to my old job tomorrow to talk to my boss. One of the duties I perform is reconciling Conveyancing Accounts (which are checking accounts used in escrow situations). It's a little more detailed than just balancing a regular checking account, and I'm the only person at the law firm who knows how to do it. I am going to offer to continue to do this function, for as long as they would like. I've tried training other people in the office how to do it, but no one really followed thru with it. I will be working four 5 hour days a week at my new job. It would probably take me 5 hours a month to balance the 3 conveyancing accounts, so I could definitely handle both jobs.

I will actually be going into the new job for a few hours this week to train with the woman who is leaving. She will only be at this office for 1 more week. And this is the last week of summer vacation for the kids--so needless to say--it's going to be a hectic week!

Tanya

Veteran

Congrats Nicole! Good luck with your new job and I hope you get through the hectic week!

shiny

Veteran

Yeah Nicole! Congrats -and hang in there... it's just one hectic week.

12