occupational interview
I have been trying to network in an attempt to get back into the workforce after a 7 year absence. I have managed(a feet in itself) to arrange an occupational/informational interview with a Senior Executive in recruitment with a government agency. My question is this: Should I wear the blue suit(Blazer and skirt) which is typically the first choice in business attire, or should i dress down a bit, and just wear my black pinstripe blazer and black pants. Any advice would be great.
Why would you think dressing down is the route to go? Don't you want this to lead to a job? Don't you want them to see you as a professional? Don't you want them to see you as someone who understands appropriateness? I just don't get this thing with dressing down for interviews. It doesn't matter if you're meeting in a Starbucks, having an "informational" interview, having your 3rd interview (or 4th or 17th), interviewing for a "creative job" or whatever other thing that people bring up on these boards as their special reason to dress down. You should always be dressing UP from what the normal work attire is. For a professional job, a suit is always appropriate. Tess
Wow, aren't we testy. I wasn't going to dress down. I have a very professional looking black blazer of which i was going to wear with my black dress pants, and white blouse with the extened white cuff that I flip out over the end of my blazer sleeve. I wasn't going to dress down, but i also didn't want to overdo it either. I agree that you should dress appropriate and professional for an interview, and a fluffy fancy colored scarf doesn't cut it either. Thanks for the advice. maybe I will go all out and wear the blue suit with the skirt.
either/smeither look professional, relax and make the connections between them and you. Despite what Tess might say There's never anything wrong with overdressing for an interview because they'll tell you that working here is more casual. But underdressing is another story. That shows you don't know how to dress professionally and makes you look very bad. Now if you don't have a chance to checkout the office first to see how others dress, then I would suggest dressing more "suit and tie." For example, when I interview for academic positions, it's a rather informal environment, and so I dress business casual. That shows I understand the workplace environment and "have been around." Others will dress in jackets and ties, but they stick out like sore thumbs and you can tell they don't know how academia generally works.
Amen, Tess
A little story I heard once...
A gentleman goes on an interview to be a truck driver. He wears a suit to the interview and while the other drivers are laughing at him, he felt perfectly comfortable. After driving for this company for about a year, the manager retired. The president of the company was looking for a replacement and remembering the driver in the suit, asked the manager who that was. Sure enough, this driver who interviewed in a suit became manager...all because he was memorable in the best way. Okay, so I am getting that the blue suit is dressier than the pants and blazer. Personally, I would not go with the black blazer and black pants because I don't like pinstripes. But that's just me. (I don't like the multicolored checks on the blazer the woman I just interviewed either, but that doesn't mean I am going to hold the job away from her if she proves to be the better candidate) If you go for blue on blue or black on black wear something with a little flair in the way of a shirt. Blazers are generally buttoned at the waist so the little splash of color that is seen is going to emphasize the suit. You may be remembered for the color at a later date. Once that first impression is made with your style and savvy, you can go in for the kill with your abilities, poise and skill. | |
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