I have a job interview next week and I need to get something to wear. I know they would prefer me to look professional as it's a career college and they want to portray that look to the students. Problem is 1) I don't have more than 100 dollars to spend on the outfit 2) I look horrid in a suit.
Due to my longer arms and bit of tummy I need to go up a size in the suit coat, which makes it look boxy everywhere else. I could buy a designer suit and have it tailored to my body type, but that's way out of budget for me. This is just a part-time job.
I want to look professional but what can I wear that will look the part without it being an actual suit?
I was thinking a black pencil skirt with some type of nice top. With my tummy, a tucked in top looks horrible too. Can I wear a sweater set or is that not dressy enough?
Should I wear sheer black panyhose or go with bare legs?
Update #2 - Went to TJMaxx today and found a super sharp Calvin Klein suit coat and skirt. The suit coat is shorter and nicely tailored and looks great on me. Much better than a regular style coat!! I am so happy with it and I feel like a million bucks in it! Ended up costing well under 100 dollars too. :)
A nice pair of dark dress slacks/pants, dress shoes, and a nice top or nice top with crop sweater or jacket would be fine.
Follow this link. It leads to 4 pages of 'suit seperates'. Any combination would work. http://www.dressbarn.com/womens/suits-separates
If you decide to wear a skirt. wear pantyhose. Nude hose would be fine.
Shoes: wear nice dress shoes that have a back. No mules or flip flops.
Don't wear black panty hose to your interview.
If you have a big tummy, don't tuck in your top.
Is there a Ross, Target or WalMart in your area? Go in and try on a few things. No bright prints. You may even ask the sales person for some advice.
Good luck on your interview!
Definitely head to Ross (or Marshals or whatever you have near you). Look for a dress in a professional, suit-ish fabric, in a conservative color.
Something with short or cap sleeves.
A high waistline will find the narrower part of your torso and detract from any belly bulge (plus your legs will look long).
Carry a nice handbag, wear nice pumps (and pantyhose) and have a fantastic time.
One never wants to look sloppy or be self concious or second guess what one wore to an interview. You want your self confidence in place, so go with what you know fits you best. I think the pencil skirt is great and you can go to Kohl's or JCPenney for an inexpensive, yet proffessional looking top to accent the skirt. Try Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory. Even Macy's on a sale day is great. And PLEASE, wear pantyhose. It polishes of the professional look you are trying to achieve. No pantyhose is more of a casual look. Believe it or not, there are many interviewers that find that a turnoff. Knock 'em dead at that interview!!
Could you put your hair in a tidy and professional looking bun?
I think you can't go wrong with a nice sweater set of good quality fabric that fits you well. Accent with some tasteful jewelry. With a skirt and pumps do wear nude pantyhose - something sheer and natural looking will look professional without looking dated.
Wear your hair up. A classic chignon always looks professional and you won't fidget with it.
I use spandex spanx type girdles to help with a slight tummy, if you get one of those you could tuck in to the pencil skirt. just an option.
I used to interview people for my firm and if they weren't in a suit, it definitely would have made a negative impression (although this was a law firm, so there may have been different expectations). Interestingly, I never noticed whether the person looked "good" in their suit; it was more about whether they had the appropriate attire. In other words, someone without a suit would have stood out (in a bad way), where as someone who had a suit that perhaps was not completely flattering would not have made a negative impression.
Suit jackets these days are shorter than they were 10 years ago, so you may have a lot more attractive, non-boxy options. You also could consider buying a less expensive jacket and spending $20 to have a seamstress tailor it a bit.
Best of luck!
I would try a thrift store. You could probably get away with a nice pair of slacks, button down, collared top, and closed pumps.
You may not have time to get a jacket tailored if you find one but that usually looks professional. Otherwise I would say get a blazer you can wear with the black skirt (like a small black and white print). If you have a jacket then you can put a light sweater or shell that isn't tucked in under it. Maybe you can find a good deal on the clearance rack since the season is changing now. Yes, if you wear a skirt then wear nude hose with it. I would go with an up hairdo as well--I play with my hair when it is down too. Good luck!
I think you need to feel confident and comfortable so what you wear doesn't affect your demeanor in the interview. If you're fidgeting with uncomfortable clothes or insecure in a suit, your interviewer will notice.
So if you have the pencil skirt and a nice sweater set, just wear the cardigan part over a button down shirt that is tucked into the skirt. You'll get a more professional look with the button down shirt, but you're still covering your tummy. Add some nice jewelry, a watch and heels. Preferably no stockings, unless your legs are not "show" worthy. I think stockings are old fashioned, but I'm a stay at home mom. haha!
Good luck!!!!
Do not wear a sweater set. A black pencil skirt with a nice top will do. If you can get a blazer to go with it though, that's even better. Sometimes you can pull off that look without it being an actual suit. Go to a discount store like TJ Maxx and you might be able to find something in your price range.
It is very important to look professional at any interview, but especially at one where you know they expect and want it. Sometimes, even though it's out of your budget, you need to put a little extra into it in order to increase your chances of getting the job.
It's ok to put your hair up. Find a nice style, even if it's just a simple but clean looking ponytail.
absolutely the black skirt and nice top. a good sweater set would be just fine. a business suit is nice but not necessary.
panty hose, no bare legs.
good luck! let us know how it goes.
:) khairete
S.
I would wear a suit.You can find ones where you buy the slacks & blazer separately in the same color.
You can buy a cheap one at Ross. You can try Wal-mart. Or even a thrift store.
NO need to really wear pantyhose anymore. If you have to end up weariing the skirt, panty hose does make it look better but it's not a strict requirement anymore.
If you do go the pencil skirt route, I would choose a nice professional top over a sweater set.
I would go with nice slacks and a dressy top. Honestly, if you are super uncomfortable in your interview clothes, that could be portrayed in the interview itself. Go with something you like and are confident in.
