It has been about 8 years since I have had to interview for a job. I still have the suit I wore, but I really don't like it for several reasons (fit, style). I was wondering what the proper attire is. I don't have the money to go buy another suit. I do have very nice dress clothes, and was hoping I could get away with a pair of my dress pants (grey), and nice shirt with once of my dress sweaters over it. What do you ladies think?
thanks for the input!
ADDED!!!
I am interviewing for a "tech" position. It's a non degree required position, no supervising...
I'm with Kate on this. It really depends on the environment you are going interviewing in. For first interviews I usually wear a traditional black suit and blouse. For second interviews I try to wear something a little less conservative and show a little more of my personality but still a suit. I tend to work in a more conservative office environment.
Check goodwill.
Yes, much of their stock is not "interview worthy"....but at $5, can you afford not to look for the one suit that is interview worthy?
I would have 3 suggestions on the attire:
1) Shoes - I immediately notice if she's struggling to stay on her heels - so wear something you can walk professionally in (and comfortable enough to take a company wide tour)
2) Skirt - somewhere around knee length. i don't really know all the "inches above the knee" rules, but too short is a no-no.
3) Cleavage - none.
You mention "dress sweater". I'm having a tough time answering that - if it's to replace a jacket, I'd skip it. I keep typing and deleting - so I'll leave it at "i just don't know about the sweater".
Good luck! :)
I went to target and got a few nice pencil skirts and pretty, professional tops for $50 total. You have to realize, spending the money is an investment to your financial future, so don't be afraid to spend a few bucks to make a few bucks!
Good luck :)
Look for a suit, or even just a good blazer and dress slacks/skirt, at local second-hand stores. Many work suits for women were seldom or never worn and end up in good-quality second-hand or consignment or charity stores for almost nothing, and many are new enough to be current styles or classics. One hint is to shop at stores sponsored by organizations such as the Junior League or local hospitals' women's guilds -- the women who are part of these organizations often have great clothes they donate!
Be SURE to invest in having the clothing dry cleaned -- you want to know for certain there is no "I've been hanging in a shop forever" scent about it.
But otherwise this clothing can be very good quality for very little money.....
Like the others who posted have said, the overall choice depends on the job for which you're interviewing. A dress sweater may still be too casual for a first impression in many jobs.
Depends on the type of job. Accountancy, law firms, banks, are all conservative and suits would be a must.
You say a tech position but not what kind of company. If it is a corporate environment, yes you need a suit.
Either goodwill or a secondhand store in your neighborhood would be a good place to look. Sometimes you can find great things.
I think it would be ok to dress nice, but sometimes suits are too stuffy for interviews. I found out that if we dress where we are more comfortable for a stressful situtation we tend to do better. Good luck at the interview!!! I'm sure it will go well just relax and breathe!
As an HR professional, I would say it would depend on the job you are interviewing for. If you are interviewing for an accounting job, yes you need a suit. If you are interviewing for a job in manufacturing, less formal is acceptable. Need more detail please.
sort of depends on the job/environment (super corporate, lawyer's office, small business?) but generally your nice outfit sounds fine. You could also consider taking the suit to a tailor and for a LOT less money have the style updated and the fit corrected. But I think you'd only need to do that for a big wig job.
A sweater is going to look too casual, even a nice one. If you can't afford a new suit, at least get a blazer. Wear your nice slacks, a dress shirt, and the blazer. I used to be a recruiter and I always took people more seriously if they came well-dressed, no matter what the position was that they interviewed for.
Target, Ross Dress for Less, TJ Max, Dress Barn, or even consignment - you might find something in your budget. Good luck!
I work for a national laboratory but in the specialty sales arena. We have all kinds of technicians as well as couriers and most of them come in nice suits with great shoes.
Go to salvation army they ave good stuff cheap
Dress pants, nice blouse and sweater sounds like a good option if the suit is not doing it for you. It doesn't really matter what job you are interviewing for, you want to look professional, loyal, intelligent, etc...
Good luck!
For this type of position, you do not need a "suit", but it's always better to over dress then underdress. Any possibility you could wear your suit jacket with the grey pants and a blouse, or purchase just a blazer?
A few other thoughts...
go light on the jewelry
keep heals under 3"
no long fingernails
Good luck with the interview.
I am in IT and have had recent interviews, business attire includes dress slacks and a nice shirt. It doesn't have to be the "old school" black or grey suit only now-a-days. I have been on interviews with dress pants and shirt most every interview, with color also...and landed each one. Good luck.
