What To Wear To A Job Interview
[ 10 March 2008 ]
“I was turned down for a job yesterday, to my face the woman said “I would not possibly think of hiring you, you do not have the correct presentation for my office, you should really invest in a suit if you want to make it into the corporate world”. I wore a white shirt and black pants, I did not wear the suit jacket solely because I caught the train and it was 30 degrees. My Mum thought I looked good (that’s not very reliable though) and I loved the shoes and earrings I wore so I even did a daily outfit photo but then I was shot down by this woman.”
Just a quick warning: all of what I’m about to say runs in absolute opposition to what I normally write about — I think individualism is really important! But sometimes you need an office job, so here we go!
First of all, don’t let her get you down! She sounds a bit miserable, so you’re better off not working for her anyway. However, she does have a point.
Reverse the roles in your mind. Imagine you’re a middle-aged woman running a department of an office. You have maybe 20 people under you & you’re looking for someone to fill the shoes of a woman who left recently. All your staff are pretty good — you’ve hand-picked them yourself, they all behave quite well & more to the point, they all look pretty much the same. There is one woman who works on reception who is predisposed to the odd piece of statement jewellery, but mostly they all wear a sort of uniform. If you walk in wearing something wild, you don’t fit that mould — & you’re less likely to be hired. However, if you walk in looking like everyone else, you have better chances.
The number one piece of advice I’d give you is that you should dress as if you already have the job — so don’t dress up too much or anything like that, just dress to fit in with everyone else. But walk in with the attitude that you’re pretty much expecting to find out how much they’re going to pay you & when you’ll start.
If you have absolutely no idea what the dress code of the place is, you can go undercover & loiter around outside the building at lunch-time a couple of days before your interview. You’ll see all the employees walking in & out, talking & eating, & you’ll get an inkling of what the company culture is like. Then you can dress to fit in.
Of course, what you wear will depend on the sort of job you’re applying for, but if you’re going for a standard, corporate office job, a suit jacket & a skirt are your best bet. Even if it’s really hot, you need to at least carry your suit jacket — or just sling it on just before you walk into the building. Most offices are air conditioned so you won’t suffer too much! While I tend to think suits are horrendously boring (I had to wear one when I worked at a bank), they do show that you fit in & anyone in charge of hiring will tend to think that you’re more “serious” if you have one on.
Here’s a great prospective outfit for a job interview.
Essential elements:
Stockings. Bare legs are a no-no. Wear black sheer stockings rather than opaques.
Suit jacket (even if you only put it on at the last moment) & a suit skirt.
A good shirt. It doesn’t need to have a collar on it — you could wear a good quality cotton round- or v-neck shirt instead.
Low high heels. Anything too high makes you look too snazzy & frivolous!
A good bag. No satchels or backpacks.
Simple jewellery, if at all. A fine chain around your neck, simple earrings or a plain ring are good choices — nothing too jangly or distracting.
Clean hair & a good hairstyle. If you have long hair, make sure it looks neat.
Clean nails! If your nailpolish looks a bit ratty, remove it. I think good natural nails always look more professional than anything else.
Things I have worn to interviews for jobs I didn’t get:
Combat boots worn with suit jacket & suit skirt. Do not do this.
A scarf over my head. Half my hair was shaved off at the time, so it seemed like the best option. The interviewer gave me a really hard time about it & said I was “rude” for doing so.
A big red Emily Strange hoodie with my skirt.
Multiple lip piercings.
Things I have worn to interviews for jobs I did get:
A black suit with a black & white collared shirt.
A black round-neck top with a business skirt & a freshwater pearl necklace.
A black pleated skirt with a white business shirt, black stockings & black heels.
Lots of black! Really, the more understated your clothing the better.
The best way to think of it is that you should dress in such a way that your personality & skills are what come through, not your love for flamboyant shoes or your penchant for neon nailpolish.
Good luck!
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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On the convex, my darling mermaid Darling, I have an interview of another kind tomorrow evening (sit-down conversation with my university humanities panel about grant funding for my fellowship) and I am wearing these shoes:
farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2…
Yes, yes, y’all!
I’m also wearing a high-waisted gray tweed pencil skirt with a black (pleather) belt, a black swing jacket, and gray stockings, so its basically conservative until the ankles. Lucky me, I’m bartending right now and got hired on the spot— I don’t do well at job interviews.
(Secret: Next Sunday I am wearing the same kicks with gold ankle socks to see Justice!)
Fantastic advice and I’m about to start job hunting again soon so perfect timing.
When I was 15 I showed up to a McDonalds interview in a Slayer shirt and black jeans and Doc Martins. ...I didn’t get the job. haha
im only 16, so i wont be getting an office job anytime soon, but i do have a question! i have an interview at forever 21 (forever21.com) next week and i have NO idea what to wear. im applying for a regular sales assistant job, but im still afraid of dressing too casual. any ideas on what i should wear?
thank you for this post! i’ve worked in hiring, and it’s absolutely ridiculous what people will show up in to be interviewed. a few of my favorites: a tube top complete with visible belly ring and a young lady with a tattoo on her neck that declared something very not nice including a very not-work-appropriate word.
some more tips:
minimal makeup!
closed toe shoes! (especially when applying at a place that serves/cooks food)
kate — Same thing applies. Look at what the sales assistants are wearing, & dress similarly. Good luck!
Thanks for the good advice. I’ve been sending out resumes for a while now and hope to have an interview soon.
But what sound I do about make-up? I generally don’t wear it, but I do want to look like I care about my appearance.
yaaay!, I was looking forward for an article like this! I just got into Laws school and I’m force to dress “formal” for oral exams, which are most of my tests…very strange for me! I was studying sociology, which is very informal so this is a big change for me :p Thanks for the tips (though that outfit you put looks too much like my mom…I hope to wear formal but look young :D), I’ll will go shopping soon xD !
When I interviewed for my part-time retail gig at a book store during high school, I wore a skirt, nice looking round neck t-shirt, and heels to the interview. I don’t remember if I was wearing hose or not, but it was for a retail position where I would be wearing nice pants and a shirt. Got the job.
A friend’s boyfriend came in for an interview after I had been working there for months, showed up in ripped jeans and combat boots, and didn’t get the job. What a surprise.
And today I interviewed to be an Orientation Leader at my university. Not really a job interview, but still something. OLs wear tshirts and jeans or shorts or whatever, so I put on dark straight-leg jeans, a short-sleeve button down shirt layered over a gray cami, and black pointy-toed shoes. Just to show that I was putting in a little effort, you know?
I think it’s a great idea to lurk and watch what other people are wearing. And if they dress BADLY (oh, I’ve been there!), look at the overall patterns and then dress like that but nicer.
Kay — Minimal make-up is best, but if you’re not used to wearing it, learning to apply it the morning of your interview will be terrible! Maybe just put on a bit of mascara & some tinted lip gloss.
This is great advice, sadly when you get into an office you see loads of black and white ans plain clothes all over the place (at least at the office I intern at). I think that the best option is a smart business suit, sleek and neat looking hair and comfortable yet stylish heels.
Perfect timing, as always! I am an actor, and this week I have an interview at a talent agency (Tres excited!).
Let us not forget the value of menswear. In the past, the “Annie Hall” look has worked wonders for me.
Wow, the woman that interviewed the emailer sounds like a b*tch. It sounds like you looked good and professional, I wouldn’t want someone like that as my boss or a colleague.
Hearing all this though makes me dread ever having to look for another job again though. I love being comfortable and wearing my chucks to work everyday. It’s not like I wear sweatshirts and jeans everyday to the office…but I guess that’s life.
O to be so fabulous that people would approach me to offer jobs. lol.
I worked for many years in the very conservative world of recruiting and Gala, your advice is on the money. Sadly, an interview is won or lost in the first 2 minutes by the way you present. Little details count for a lot too. It’s not just the suit, its the lack of things like pet hair on the sleeve that are also important.
Your hair is really critical too. A quick pony tail won’t get you far, but if you put the effort in to blow dry your hair shiny and sleek, and make sure it is out of your eyes, it gives a much more professional over all impression. It is also an unspoken way to communicate how organised you are – showing that you had the time to do your hair rather than just scrap it back. And if you feel like you are betraying your truly wild personality when dressing like this, wear some killer lingerie underneath; they need never know!
Such good timing, Gala!
I am still at Uni, but have started doing work placement. I have a placement coming up in two months time in an office, and I really don’t know what to wear (I imagine it’s going to be initially hard for me to break the casual ‘uni’ look) – do I dress corporate? Is there such a thing as corporate/casual? I am only 19 so I don’t want to give off the vibe that I am ‘playing dress up’ or trying too hard to fit in. Surely they’ll understand that I am still quite young and can’t pull off a hard-line corporate look? Surely?!
Good post!!
I’m a graphic designer, so we’re typically expected to be a bit “not normal”. I usually lean towards conservative dressing in interviews and networking meetings, but I like to add a “conversation point” to my outfits. Sometimes it’s a cool scarf, or a vintage brooch or even my low wedge leopard print shoes. It’s an element that makes me feel comfortable and kind of grounds me.
I didn’t get the job I wore a suit for (and honestly, I’m glad for it, no matter how crushed I was at the time), and did get one that I wore dark jeans and a nice navy long-sleeved shirt to (it was on a Friday, and I still had a job, so I was dressed nicely for Casual Friday). But now I have a suit and I have a great pair of heels that I still wear for pretty much every occasion (including yesterday).
It’s so important to have a good interview (and, if you get the job) outfit. The one Gala’s picked out is smashing — I would wear that in a heartbeat, and not just to an office interview!
And ultimately I agree — it’s better off not working for someone like that. But absolutely take this opportunity to invest in a great suit and heels; classics like that will always be in style and of great use to you. And if you need to have the suit tailored to fit you, do it — it’s worth it. (Says the girl who ordered hers too big, and felt ridiculous throughout her interview, which couldn’t have helped.)
My most successful interview suit is a pair of black pants that fit really well, a white shirt, and a black blazer. I like wear maryjane heels in a muted color (like red) to keep from dying of boredom. I’ve gotten a number of jobs wearing this exact outfit.
The only time I broke out of my standard-interview-outfit mold, I was interviewing for the editor position at the Fab Sugar blog. Because of the fashion angle, I TOTALLY PANICKED. I wore some really random, unfortunate thing (white mod mini dress with motorcycle boots, maybe?) (honestly, I’ve blocked it out). I didn’t get the job.
Basic. Basic is good. (And you can dress the black pants up or down for everyday, so you don’t need to feel like your interview suit is moldering in the back of your closet.)
Man, the last job interview I had all I had to do was flex my muscles and do a lil twirl … I hope I never have to have one like this! For what its worth, the woman who interviewed the emailer seems like she would create the kind of job one would leave after a month or two. I’m amazed she thought that was an appropriate way in which to speak to a potential employee.
i don’t see how the woman who interviewed the emailer was negative or b*tchy. she knows specifically why she didn’t get the job, and the woman gave advice that the emailer would be wise to follow. (what if she had not hired her, and she never knew why and continued to go to interviews with a not so stellar outfit.)
great outfit, gala.
it’s always better to go with a very simple sophisticated outfit. if you want to add a bit of flare for a creative position, just add 1 bold accessory.
you can stretch your creativity once you show the what a great worker you are.
This was extremely helpful. I have had a few interviews for retail jobs – just for a short summer job – I was really worried about what I should wear. I loved what you said here:
“The number one piece of advice I’d give you is that you should dress as if you already have the job — so don’t dress up too much or anything like that, just dress to fit in with everyone else. But walk in with the attitude that you’re pretty much expecting to find out how much they’re going to pay you & when you’ll start.”
I’m going to use that as my mantra from now on :]
Someone told me once that from an interviewers perspective a potential employee can always dress less formally than what they wear to an interview, but you can’t necessarily dress more formally.
while i do agree with your & my fellow nonpareil’s advice that simple & classic is most likely best, i have to admit that i have never been one to follow this rule & have yet to be turned down for a position after attending an interview. i was recently just hired for a new position, in a corporate environment and attended the interview wearing a cute black dress & cardigan, a bright red bow in my hair, and all my facial piercings in full view. i was the only one of 15 the people in the interview to not be decked out in corporate suits and i was also the only one of the 15 people to get hired. i’m not sure if there is some connection there but i like to think that sometimes standing out & being a little different is good thing.
this was a very good article. it made me think back to unquestionably the best job interview i ever had (for tiffany & co.) but i did not get the job. it wasn’t that i dressed poorly. i had on a black shirt with a black and hunter green print skirt of appropriate length. but one of the interviewers kept looking me up and down while i was answering questions. i answered them beautifully and they seemed surprised and pleased with my answers but i still didn’t get the job. looking back on it it was most likely because they didn’t like what i was wearing. i knew i should have stuck with the black suit i was going to wear but i wanted to be different from everyone else since i knew that would be the standard attire. i know better now for next time. i now want to go suit shopping tomorrow.
Yes, unfortunately corporate jobs do suck all the creativity out of dressing up. Black and White = Boring, but it also = uniform. And generally in the corporate world, uniformity and conformity is what they are looking for.
I work in the fashion industry and for my job interview I wore a navy and white polka dot skirt, a white cami and a turquoise cardigan. I wore my hair out and probably wore a necklace of some sort (long time ago, can’t remember). My then manager loved it and despite the fact that I’d had no prior experience in the industry and was competing against people who did, I still managed to get the job. When I attended two other job interviews before that, I dressed similarly, and ALMOST got one of them, but unfortunately was turned down because other people who applied had a lot more experience. So, I guess it depends on the industry.
At my last job interview, I wore pants with big holes in them, pink fishnets, random t-shirt, and a black sweatshirt.
I’ll admit, I really didn’t care if I got this job or not.
Note my surprise when they called back a couple days later asking when I could come in to do the necessary paperwork.
While I do love this job now[I get to wear whatever I want, and they love my tattoos and green ‘hawk]...of course I wouldn’t normally wear something like this to an interview. It’s just my personal experience.
Just wanted to say that for those who were worried about being too young for hardline corporate looks, I’ve heard a few times that it’s best not to look too ‘young and inexperienced’ either (even- especially- if you are.) It’s better to dress a little older and wiser than your years at first- the fact that you’re young and enthusiastic, kind, willing to learn, have initiative and intelligence, and are good company to work with will shine through in your conversation, your smile and your manners in the interview, and once you’ve settled in and sussed out the culture, you can let it come out in your sartorial style as well.
Very best of luck to all of you!
Oh I’m glad you posted this! My mom and I were arguing over what was appropriate interview attire (as a gift, she was buying me an outfit). She actually turned down the cotton round neck, but we compromised on a non-collared top. We did agree on the high waisted pencil skirt, so that was good.
What a stupid person that Interviewer was to give you a hard time about wearing a head scarf…....what if you had cancer and had lost hair or lost hair thru some other reason…...you know?
A head scarf isn’t offensive at all?!
Well thats what i think.
I just read an article on what to wear to a job interview in UK Elle Magazine,they say to always wear an outfit you have worn lot’s before…..so your confident in it i guess.
There’s a lot of good advice already given, Gala’s outfit is spot on, but as a long time corporate denizen, my advice is: – shoes matter, polish them, look at them critically before you go. Interviewers look at shoes and bags (I know, I am one). – if it’s too hot for a jacket, fold it inside out to prevent creasing on the trip there, then put it on at the last minute. If it’s sweltering, a couple of ‘refresher towlettes’ are good for a last minute cool-down. Wear a sleeveless shirt or top underneath if you think you will bake, but if you have to wear them, make sure no spaghetti straps are visible – crazy but true. Keep your jacket on during the interview. It counts. – Hands should be moisturised but not clammy, and nails tidy. Hirers look at these almost as much as shoes. – Makeup, less is more. Gala’s advice on mascara and gloss is right, maybe take powder if you tend to shine. Perfume, less is definitely more. – If you’re heading into officeland, definitely wear a suit. The major chain stores have basic suits at a reasonable price, it doesn’t have to be designer.
What you’re wearing can make you feel confident and professional, allowing you to project the image you want to, in order to get the job you really really want. It doesn’t have to be the ultimate manifestation of your personality, that comes later at the office party ;)
I feel quite lucky that I’m going into a field that doesn’t effectively order people to dress smartly. Some of the offices I’ve visited recently encourage individualism.
yay for designers :P
Well, I’m glad I’m not heading towards a corporate job! (or at least, not one where a suit is mandatory). That Westwood jacket is stunning tough, and I’d wear it to death.
Anyway, I think that the most important thing is to look clean and put-together, to show that you have made an effort for the interview. The rest depends on the interviewer: some people like to see a sparkle of originality (like colourful shoes), other absolutely don’t.
A question, Gala – have you ever had a job interview while your hair was an unnatural colour?
Or, have you got the job, and then changed your hair colour to something a bit more extreme and had any negative reactions to this?
Haha wow. I had a job interview today. It was just at a book/ music store, and I’m only 18, so it was nothing corporate, but I was still freaking about what to wear, so this is what I turned up in:
-Black playsuit (basically the only thing I own that has a collar)
-Black opaque stockings
-Black, flat boots
-Light blue singlet top(under the playsuit)
-A single signet ring (which I’ve never worn before hah)
-Blue handbag
I tamed my hair as much as possible (it has a million layers), and wore less makeup than usual.
I think I made a good impression. The first thing the woman told me was that there was a lot of experience on my resume, and the second thing she told me was that I looked really good :D
I think I made a good impression, so… Really hope I get it hehe.
x
Thank you, Gala! I was looking for your input a while back about getting dressed for an interview. (I didn’t get the job, but the lady was very enthusiastic and said I almost got it, despite lack of experience, so I don’t mind.)
An anecdote: I’ll admit, I’m kind of over the top person… prone to over-gregariousness and chattering. But, for a job interview a few months ago, I dressed more corporate than usual, shined my shoes, all black/white. I got the job, and was later told that I seemed straight-laced, sensible, and about 25 (I’m 18). I guess it goes to show that clothing etc really does make an impression…
Claire — Hmmm… don’t think I have ever been to a job interview with a crazy hair colour. Usually I was either blue-black or blonde. I have definitely changed my hair colour while I was at a job (green, red, pink etc.) but have always checked to make sure it was okay before I did it. The thing is, if your employers or manager like you, they tend to be pretty okay with it if you’ve worked there a while. Ditto on piercings.
hmm.. well i just applied for a job at the zoo. i doubt i have a chance in hell but just in case, what the hell would i wear to an interview? zoo keepers wear zoo-issued shirts and shorts with steel-capped boots.
perhaps some nice tailored pants and some low-heeled brown brouges with a neat shirt or tee to show i’m not too fussy too clean out animal enclosures but know how to make an effort to look professional when need be?
i have short bright red hair but it’s mostly middle aged people who compliment my hair and during my work experience one of the keepers (the only one who wore makeup…boo! i love looking pretty!)dyed the blonde parts of her hair pink and admitted my hair was the inspiration. a woman in another section complemeted it too, so not a prob as long as i don’t mo-hawk it or anything silly.
makeup? perhaps foundation, a little blush and mascara and leave it at that.
... prob have to get a skirt suit anyway for other job interviews in enviro positions in offices when i don’t get the zoo job
I think the key is to look as if you made the effort; to look interested!
It IS good manners to be well-dressed at an interview or meeting. It shows you take them seriously and that you expect to be taken seriously too – it’s polite and shows a degree of self-assurance.
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you can’t be bothered/are truly upset at the level of going corporate that you observe during Gala’s wonderfully recommended workplace stakeout – then maybe that particular job/workplace isn’t for you.
However – take heart from my experience – I work for the Govt in a place where women were not expected to wear trousers, much less more fashion-forward attire.
I swear that self-confidence carried me through; I truly believe that my idiocy in not seeing the subtlety (or less than subtle) way of corporate dressing at the time was offset by the fact that I made the effort to be smart (in my own way), professional and courteous.
I’m still here many years later – pink hair et al :)
Such good tips! It’s definately an amazing outfit and would look great in an interview. I once sat on an interview pannel where someone turned down a candidate because he was wearing a leather jacket over his shirt and tie, on a freakishly cold day. I was speechless!
But unfortunately, it does come down to little things like that sometimes, and in interviews first impressions are as important as you say.
Nowadays, I’ll wear something pink under my suit jacket to show that I do have a girly side. My way of rebelling! A pretty (but conservative) pink top and the rest of the outfit all black I think is acceptable :)
I will (hopefully) be interviewing for a music management position in a month or less. The majority of the staff and clients wear jeans on a regular basis and display all their tattoos. Which is awesome for an ink loving, informally dressed gal like myself.
The question is – what do I wear to the interview? I’m worried that a suit and pumps might actually work against my favor. I also do not want to go in wearing jeans and a blazer. Happy medium anyone?
I had a hugely important job interview a few months ago….I planned the outfit for weeks. Grey wool pleated knee length skirt, fitted light grey sweater, burgandy silk scarf, burgandy 1940’s style mary jane heels and retro seamed stockings. I even did my frigging nails. (Haven’t worn nail polish in almost 10 years!) It was for a supervisory position in an artistic environment.
The job went to a less qualified person because he was friends with one of the interviewers.
Sucks, yah?
I am really concerned with my hair while searching for a job. I have a bright purple bob. Do I dye over it? I really don’t want to!
I have found that a simple chunky silver/gold bangle is super good for covering up my wrist tattoo and my surface piercing. If you have facial piercings, you can buy clear retainers for them just cheack with your piercer if its approprite first.
I think that one can get away with grey, khaki, brown, or navy suits as well, so long as the colour is fairly neutral. Adding a colourful shirt underneath can also allow you to express your personality and be memorable in your interview while still holding true to corporate office expectations.
Actually, suits are becoming more fashionable these days and they don’t need to be boring at all. Suit jackets come in all sorts of wonderful cuts and sleeve lengths now!
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Great advice.
I was just wondering, does the same apply for Uni interviews?
Or is it more individuality dressing?
I just yesterday landed a job as an Administrative Assistant at a major university in the Boston area, in a creative division that runs the alumni magazine (which also happens to be a national technology magazine).
What I wore to the interview: charcoal grey dress pants, a cream silky short-sleeve blouse with tone-on-tone embroidery, sheer black nylons, and plain black pumps with 2-inch heels. I wore a simple gold chain and a gold watch (not real gold, but a dressier piece of costume jewelry). My nails are short and were painted with clear polish. I carried a plain black Liz Claiborne purse and a camel leather notebook folio with extra resume copies.
There was no way for me to check out the corporate culture pre-interview; the offices are on the 7th floor of a secured office building. I met with 5 people that day (including the COO and other high management — never think you might not meet the bigwigs on your first interview!) and was dressed more formally than pretty much everyone in the office.
I felt great in that outfit, and was able to be confident during the interviews. IMO, it’s always better to err on the side of overdressed and conservative. Then you’ll pass the first impression test and you’ll be free to wow them with your personality and experience!
I’ve been with this project at school (the future business leaders blahblahblah) and for the past two years I’ve been in serious competitions that you have to wear Business Dress//Business casual. While I’ve always gone for either Black and white or any sort of browns and tans, this year I decided to throw more greens and blues into the mix. It’s almost becoming excited to see how I can fit in little reflections of me into my business clothes. I’ve found the WORST feeling is looking around and getting the feeling that you are the messiest person in the room. Make sure you have a hairstyle that can hold any situation or can easily be fixed so that no one notices.
This year I was looking for a nice vintage look to my clothes. I decided for a wide leg black pant with an incredibly nifty white button up blouse I bought last year at a thrift store with spectator heels. With a nice outfit you feel twice as confident going into any situation, even if it is a speech in front of judges and a conference room full of people! Eeks!
I love that suit!
Gala, your advice is so valuable, I was wondering if you could help me out in dealing with arrogant people? Sometimes reasoning with them fires their defense mechanisms and just makes things so heated and complicated. Sometimes these people are unavoidable or the rogue causes are people I have cared about, are embedded in my social life and are seemingly nice to everyone else even though I seem to be enlightened to their nasty side. It’s just little things like telling me their holier-than-thou opinion when it wasn’t asked for and being very defensive over it.
I’m hopefully going to have an interview soon at a comic store. Everyone who works there is male, and they all just wear t-shirts or polo shirts and jeans. A couple of them are really scruffy, haha. I’m pretty familiar to them, so they know how I normally dress (like them, just not scruffy). So what on Earth should I wear? I have some smart looking black combat pants, and long sleeved black t-shirts. Or should I buy a skirt (eek, the evil S-word!)
Anybody have any advice for me?
Thank you with the help for my dilemma precious! However, I also got told today I was trying to hard wearing my new suit from Veronika Maine. It was for a Graduate position and the woman said I was older than my years and appeared to mature I should be looking for something else. What can you do hey? My passion for fashion and making doesn’t make me any money either!
Bwaa haa haa so glad I am an archaeologist. I have pink hair, multiple facial piercings and my favourite kind of dress involves me looking like some kind of intergalactic princess. The only thing that matters for my line of work is qualification, experience and ability to do the job as it should be for every other job on the planet.
Job like that where they discriminate against how you look drive me mad.It doesn’t even matter if the applicant is witty, charming, mannerly etc…they will loose a good worker out of their own ignorance.This discrimination is magnified where body modifications are involved.So many younger people have them now, I wonder what will happen in 5 or 10 years, will the dinosaurs be foreced to concede defeat on the subject and allow for modification in the more conservative workplace?
And in those jobs tbh no one gives a shit about you. you are like a speck of dirt on their pristine shirt. I personally don’t understand a company that wants a roomful of samey black/grey clones or someone who wants to work in said room. Wouldn’t having a few more vibrant personalities about make for a more inspired workplace?
Read the entry and the comments yesterday and got in a panicked state because of my job interview today!
Had the first meeting with my boss last thursday at the place of work and wore no make-up, undone hair and a black fleece-vest, a black, stonewashed jeans and my beloved black camper pelotas… Not very pretty to make a good first impression, but in advance he told me on the phone to come over ASAP, and what should I’ve done? This time: Flexibility over Dresscode.
Today I had another meeting with him, this time in the headquarter with the bigwigs. Oh yes, surprisingly there were four(!) of them… I wore a black suite (the jacket has puffy sleeves and the trousers are flared). I wore 2-inches heels, a black blouse and a vibrant, violet-red leather-bag (just to be a little more me, as mentioned above).
I pinned my hair up, wore brown eyeliner and wore my black glasses (which give me an austere, existentialist-like look).
And what should I say? They just called after I arrived at home to tell me that I got the job! Woooohooo! ;-)
Oh, and just in case you wonder: it’s my first post-graduate job and it’s in the more social field of work…
yay! this was great. buuuuuut what do i do now that i have the job and it’s turing into summer?? how does one dress for a summer office job?? i’ve only ever been a lifeguard so i just got to wear shorts and tanks. but now i’m buiness casual! ahhh!
God bless this forum, I’m off to an interview in two days for a PR job and semi-freaking-out. Have a black suit with nothing to wear underneath it and wondering if I should wear my hair out or up (I’m blonde and trying to look older but I have glasses so that helps) Any suggestions from you fashionistas would be great thanks!