Poll - What should I wear to my job interview?

[PinkTiger]

Poll question: Poll - What should I wear to my job interview?

I'm interviewing for a new job on Thursday. I'm a woman, but I never wear skirts. Help me decide!

[gmoney]

1. 500 posts! Way to go.

What type of job?

[PinkTiger]

3. The job

Director of Communications for the School of Engineering.


Wow -- I just realized. 500 posts!!!!

[Catch22Dem]

5. In that case, I'd go all out

I remember my recruiter telling me how casual my company was. He said a lot of the guys just wear jeans and a nice shirt, so I said, "is that what I'm supposed to wear to the interview?" He just laughed and said, "uh...no son, you'll be in a coat and tie." So I did, and I got the job. Now I wear shorts, sandals, and a ratty t-shirt. I'm the guy in Birkenstocks and a concert t-shirt from 1990. LOL

[Bertha Venation]

20. I agree

Pants are okay, but make it a VERY sharp and conservative suit. Good luck!

[Stuckinthebush]

6. Engineers, huh?

Hmmm...that's tricky.

While engineers can be a sexist bunch, there are also known for their ability to not care less what people wear.

Go with the pants suit.

[PinkTiger]

7. Except, that I'm interviewing with PR types

Who will be running the show. Only one person will be from the Engineering school, and this one is a development person. She will probably be in a skirt.

[Stuckinthebush]

9. Oh....

Go with the skirt.

[chimpymustgo]

27. Buy the best tailored, classiest suit you can afford.

As Director of Communications, you will be projecting the department's image. Look good, sharp and smart.

Edit - suit with a skirt.

[brainshrub]

2. Nekkid

[PinkTiger]

4. Well,

It's not that kind of job.

[NJCher]

8. sounds like a cool job, PinkTiger

Go for it! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!


Cher

[PinkTiger]

12. Thanks !

I'm under contract until May, so if I get offered the job I hope they will wait until then for me to start.

I'm one of five people being interviewed, and I think I'm on the tail end of the group.

[Cleita]

10. Absolutely nothing...

attention getting that is. :-) I would wear a skirt because you never know until you go to the interview what the office dress culture is, although I am definitely a pants person myself on the job.

[PinkTiger]

11. OK, OK, OK. I GIVE........

I'll wear a friggin skirt. And hose and heels. I hope you are all happy now!!!!

Long skirt or short skirt?

NO - never mind. I'm 53. I'll wear a normal skirt, just below the knee.

But I'm wearing black.

[fortyfeetunder]

22. Some other tips

Pink Tiger I think the outfit you picked out is fine.

Other things to think about when interviewing with the engineering world -- these folks are not the fashion divas of the world, and if you want to increase your chances of being accepted, here are the best way to present yourself to this group

--No perfume whatsoever.
--Conservative jewelry. (earrings, necklace)
--Minimize the luggage - a little portfolio to take notes and a clutch purse works great.
--Neutral or clear nail polish.

After you ace the interview and get the job, then you can ease in your sense of fashion

Good luck, let us know how it works out!!!

[RebelOne]

23. Black is good.

[jburton]

13. a dress not required

As this sounds like a "professional" gig.

I would suggest you dress like a female TV anchor. (Unless your local ones are terribly dressed!)

Good luck!

[PinkTiger]

14. Hmmm. Like Katie Couric?

OK. Sounds good. I'll do that.
Of course, in my case it is more like Camryn Manheim or Rosie O'Donnell -- not exactly a size 3.

But I think the skirt is a good idea, if I can remember how to sit in one.

[supernova]

15. What type of job?

need more info. How you dress for the office depends entirely upon the context.

Banks, legal, gov't, et al. still expect you to be dressed to the nines. Business suit with skirt and heels is the order of the day.

High Tech, non-profit, arts, you can probably get away with black slacks of some sort, but not denim or kakie material of any sort.

[PinkTiger]

16. See Post #3

nt

[supernova]

17. Suit w/ skirt

preferably black or navey blue. And hose with 2-inch heels. You can never be overdressed for an interview.

[Nikia]

19. In her case no, but I have been

One of my first interviews for an after college job was at a food plant. I was wearing a suit with a skirt and nice new shoes. Everyone who I talked to mentioned something about that this was a hands on position in a factory, not in a clean lab, and said other things suggesting like someone like me would not want to work in a place like that. I also got a tour of the place and would have been definitely better in more comfortable, less dressy shoes as I had to walk through both cleaning chemicals and grease and did so hesitantly which probably also gave them a negative opinion of me.

[Gingersnap]

18. go out and get yourself a new suit

it will make you more confident. I think, particularly in the South and on the East Coast, the ideal of a "professional woman" is still one who is clad in a suit. You don't want them to remember you for your clothes, so I would say go with what you think is the most typical interview attire. You might wear a brightly colored shirt underneath or some unusual, classy, (though not hippy) jewelry to show that you're not dowdy. Unfortunately, age discrimination is something you may have to worry about.

I'm doing the job search circuit right now too. Aside from interviews, I NEVER wear hose or high heels and seldom wear makeup. But I've invested in several nice suits and try to look as stylish as I can. Heck, if it weren't so much effort and so expensive, I might try to look "professional" every day.

[PinkTiger]

21. Thanks for the advice. I'm not worried about the age ....

Age discrimination might be a problem if I didn't know most of these people. I worked for the same University five years ago in a similar position and many of these people I know. They are about my age or a little younger -- certainly not a young group - and they know how old I am, I think.
Plus, they want someone mature for this position - both mature in age and mature in experience and proven track record. My main problem will be getting them to wait until May for me. If one of the other candidates is available now and is a match for my qualifications, experience and charisma, I'm out of the running.

[dawn]

24. Either a pantsuit or a skirtsuit would be fine, I think.

It depends. I never wear skirt suits, because I feel uncomfortable in them. So I'd look out of place in a skirted suit.

Then again, I live in California, where I've been interviewed by people wearing shorts and faded t-shirts.

[tigereye]

25. used to always wear a suit or nice skirt and jacket;

haven't had an interview in a while... fortunately. But I once interviewed a woman in an army jacket when I was a supervisor ( granted in a non-profit company). I ended up hiring her since her qualifications were excellent, but was kind of shocked at some of the informal get-ups people were wearing for the interviews I did. I guess that's a mark of age... I was always told that you should dress up as a mark of respect for the interviewer, job and for yourself. The fact that people wear pants suits, seems like a big improvement. Not sure that I could wear one, though, if I were interviewing again.

[trof]

26. Go 60s

See-through blouse, mini-skirt, and fishnet stockings.
;-)

[chimpymustgo]

28. And don't forget the whip...

Seriously - Nice conservative suit, conservative jewelry and make-up.
A warm, sincere smile.

[maxanne]

29. good luck

with your interview, Pink Tiger. :thumbsup:

I think a nice sharply tailored pantsuit is just fine. It's important for you to be as comfortable as you can - and if you aren't comfy wearing a skirt, it's going to show. Projecting confidence is important, and how you wear what you wear is part of that.

Let us know what happens!

[PinkTiger]

30. OK -- Here's what I'm wearing:

Black sleeveless dress (very plain) with a matching, black long-sleeved jacket with lapels. A black and gold Chanel scarf; plain beige hose and black shoes -- high heeled oxfords, Evan Picone.
Jewelry: understated earrings, a watch, wedding ring and a ring I always sear on my right hand, a simple gold Ankh I bought in 1972.
Nails, short and no color. Hair -- natural salt and pepper.

Coach bag, black. Portfolio with my samples. That's it (oh, and underwear, and etc.)

[PinkTiger]

31. Thanks, Everyone, for the great responses.

I'll post on this forum on Thursday and let you know how it went.

I deeply appreciate the wonderful comments and suggestions and the time you all took to make them.

I love this place....

BK