Help, Interview Attire!

[platys]

I have an interview for a job where I'd be working directly with management.  The HR person says the office is business casual, but that the guys often wear ties, but not a jacket.  But that dress pants and khakis are fine.

Here's my problem - I don't own an interview suit.  Where I work now, its super duper casual (i'm wearing jeans as I type this).  My interview is Thursday morning, and I'm so short that I really can't buy a suit off the rack anyways.   If I wear a sweater dress with a matching cardigan, and subdued shoes, is that dressy enough?  Except that my sweater dress might be too big for me - in that case, I could wear a dressy brown sweater with a washable suede skirt, which hits below the knee.

I wasn't looking all that hard for a job, but I put my resume up on monster just to see what was out there, and got this bite.  The job sounds really interesting.

[Betsy]

I think either outfit sounds perfect. Its dressier than what I would call business casual but not full on business attire.

[melodrama]

My vote is for the skirt and sweater combo. 

Good luck!

[DottyG]

I have an interview for a job where I'd be working directly with management.  The HR person says the office is business casual, but that the guys often wear ties, but not a jacket.  But that dress pants and khakis are fine.

Here's my problem - I don't own an interview suit.  Where I work now, its super duper casual (i'm wearing jeans as I type this).  My interview is Thursday morning, and I'm so short that I really can't buy a suit off the rack anyways.   If I wear a sweater dress with a matching cardigan, and subdued shoes, is that dressy enough?  Except that my sweater dress might be too big for me - in that case, I could wear a dressy brown sweater with a washable suede skirt, which hits below the knee.

I wasn't looking all that hard for a job, but I put my resume up on monster just to see what was out there, and got this bite.  The job sounds really interesting.

Because of my height, suits look ridiculous on me.  I had to wear them when interviewing straight out of college (back in the days when females had to look like men - blue suit, "power tie" - for a female, that meant red, bowtie, sensible shoes,....  It was horrible, and I looked like a fool.)

What I did for the job I have now is wear a nice black skirt with a shell top.  Then, a black, 3 quarter sleeve cotton jacket over it.  And, low pumps.  It was the same look as a suit without making me look stupid.

Always dress slightly up for an interview - even if the office is more casual.  Better to err on the side of slightly more than the others in the office than more casual.  You can't go wrong with something a little more dressy than office casual.

And, more than anything, good luck!!!  Let us know how it goes.

[lolane]

I am in HR, and I work in an office where jeans are acceptable, however, I expect that interviewees will dress at least in business casual attire (men with a button-up shirt and tie, no jacket and women in slacks or skirt and a blouse or cardigan) I think I like the sound of the first oufit better. I would not wear the suede skirt, to me it's like leather and it's not appropriate for an interview. While I wouldn't rule out a good candidate for it, I would choose a more appropriately dressed candidate if the two were equal otherwise.

[platys]

I see your point about the suede - this isn't a heavy suede by any stretch of the imagination, but I'll look at some of my other cloth skirts.

It looks a lot like this, but not asymetrical:

http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=131&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C393%2C401&iProductID=131&sortBy=0

[DottyG]

Here's another hint.  Wear something fun that doesn't show.  Something that only you know is there but gives you a little confidence.

I used to wear my Mickey Mouse watch to interviews.  With the long sleeves of the suit, no one knew it was there.  But, it was a little something that reminded me that they could put me in the suit but I was still an individual and someone exciting.  I wasn't a cookie cutter interviewee.  I was someone that stood out - even if they didn't know why!

Do something fun to keep this from being a stressful thing in your life.

I will always think of my Mickey Mouse watch as something dear to my heart as it got me through some tough interviews!

[BatCity]

When I interviewed for the job I have now, I wore my trademark bright orange leather blazer.

I admit for most, more formal companies, this would have been horribly inappropriate, but my interviewers (now my co-workers) admitted they loved the look so much I sometimes think they hired the blazer and got me in the bargain.

Okay, okay...you're right...don't do what I did.  But definitely something fun that can give you confidence.  Or just wear a stompin' pair of boots instead of pumps with your slacks.

[platys]

I finally found a picture of me in the skirt.  Now, I wouldn't wear the sweater I"m wearing in this picture with the skirt (too much cleavage). 



sorry that its blurry but it gives you an idea.   A friend suggested I wear it with my brown heeled boots.  (Everyone wears heeled boots here, btw).

[MineralDiva]

It's nice, platys!  I'm thinkin' maybe a long-sleeved turtleneck, worn un-tucked but belted...and a pair of boots, with some tasteful, simple jewelry.  You'll be smashing, dahling!

[VorFemme]

I finally found a picture of me in the skirt.  Now, I wouldn't wear the sweater I"m wearing in this picture with the skirt (too much cleavage). 

Yeah - I represent that remark........

My last job interview (business casual office as an insurance claims adjuster - I was hired - worked there 2.5 years) I wore a gathered print skirt (paisely on navy background) with a navy 3/4 sleeved cable knit sweater (thin knit - not chunky) with a round neckline large enough to pull on & off over my head but NO cleavage...........and a necklace of some kind.  I just forget which one..............navy pumps.  

After I started working there, I went to wearing rubber soled loafers instead of leather soled pumps - easier on the feet and less prone to slipping on stairs or in the parking lot!

[Gemini]

Always dress slightly up for an interview - even if the office is more casual.  Better to err on the side of slightly more than the others in the office than more casual.

This is excellent advice. 

Good luck with the interview!!!

[Bijou]

I have an interview for a job where I'd be working directly with management.  The HR person says the office is business casual, but that the guys often wear ties, but not a jacket.  But that dress pants and khakis are fine.

Here's my problem - I don't own an interview suit.  Where I work now, its super duper casual (i'm wearing jeans as I type this).  My interview is Thursday morning, and I'm so short that I really can't buy a suit off the rack anyways.   If I wear a sweater dress with a matching cardigan, and subdued shoes, is that dressy enough?  Except that my sweater dress might be too big for me - in that case, I could wear a dressy brown sweater with a washable suede skirt, which hits below the knee.

I wasn't looking all that hard for a job, but I put my resume up on monster just to see what was out there, and got this bite.  The job sounds really interesting.

[platys]

Okay, I dug through my closet, and came up with a 1960's Mod Pendleton blazer I bought on ebay eons ago, and the sweater dress.   And came up with this:



I promise, it looks better in person - its looking a little bunchy up top thanks to how I'm holding the camera, and I'll pin up the sleeves - they are a bit too long.  What do you all think?

[dietcokeofevil]

I wouldn't go with the blazer.  The suede skirt looks beautiful and will look very professional with a nice sweater.