Formal enough for interview? - YouLookFab Forum

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and it's great so many people chime in!

I'm middle-aged and have a mid-career interview. Not like when we were younger and we had to wear suits. These days, if we wear suits, we're told it looks too stiff and formal. This is kind of a casual interview, for part-time work in a professional field. Since I have to travel far, thought I'd choose a material that travels well and something I feel good in.

Wondering if it is too casual, tho I think I'd feel good in it. As everyone here knows, if we feel good in our clothes, we shine, and whatever we wear comes across looking better.

Mainly wondering if you think the dress is too casual. I feel good wearing it, and it was designed to be dressed up or down. (Sorry, but pls don't suggest I wear a scarf with it - all these years, I still don't know how to tie one! =) )

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Don't know how to attach images, so here are links to what I was considering wearing:
http://www.kaboodle.com/review.....y-dress-ii
(blue)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/al.....rderreview
(sap ocean color)
and maybe
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/at.....mp/3538630
or
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/at.....ts-_-1_5_A
(black)

12 years ago

kkards

Veteran

wahine, is this an interview in your current field? is it with your current employer? is this a get to know you interview or an interview for a specific job? i ask, because in my experience the type of interview has a big impact on how to dress.

cloud9

I'd recommend adding a jacket with this, maybe a belt as well. The jacket will add some formality but not as formal as a complete suit. Our company is business casual, but we do unofficially expect interview candidates to semi dress up for the occasion. It shows that you take this interview seriously.

This is what I did with my internal company interview. I wore a suit jacket with dress pants, buttons own shirt. The male internal candidates either wore suit or suit jacket as well.

rute

Although the dress code isn't too formal, I think that for an interview you should go a bit less casual.
Your instinct is right, the dress is too casual. I would add a blazer, this has a lovely color:

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....lotId%3D44

Kristin L

I think it's a bit to casual as well. I think a blazer or jacket and belt (like the others said above) will help.

wahine

Member

Thanks, everyone. It will be 70 degrees and I think the person interviewing me dresses casually. Yes, in current field, new PT position. Wearing a suit or clothes that are too formal scream newbie. I made that mistake recently and the feedback I got was that the formal dress of my wearing a suit was not appropriate in this case, since I'm mid-career. It's what first-time candidates wear.

If I wear the blue (original link) dress and if it's cool enough, I don't have a blazer, but I'll consider adding a charcoal grey Eileen Fisher cardigan (no buttons). Great idea.

I'm thinking now I might instead wear a very similar dress - Same manufacturer, but with a collar (polo type, which I hate, think it makes me look little girlish, but it fits me better right now). It is a black colored dress, which may help seem more formal. However, I actually think I need more color and wearing the black dress will be a downer...

sorry no images - bought it awhile ago and can't find current images.

I may have some 3/4 length sleeve versions of same dress, black or maroon, but I think they are too small for me and it will be too hot to wear them.

So you know how casual the field is (in terms of interview dress style), I was planning on wearing slacks and a tailored shirt, but since I'll be travelling far, I thought the albeit more casual dress would not only look better (less or no wrinkles), but I'd feel better in it.

Thanks for any more thoughts!

In My Joi

(website)

Hello, working in HR, I would suggest: a dark colored trouser and white or cream blouse. Shoes of your choice excluding flip-flops (which I have seen a candidate wear). Keep it neat, clean, crisp, and simple. Once you land the job you can branch out
HTH

Oh, and I forgot to say: Welcome!

interesting feedback. in my field, for an external interview, a suit is expected, even thought most office are business casual. for internal interviews, it is assumed that you will dress as you usally would, but amped up.

anyway, i like IN MY Joi's suggestion.

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