I have an interview tomorrow. Fashion emergency!

[LaraMN]

It's at an architectural/engineering firm. The typical dress code is business casual.
I have a black pencil skirt, pinstripe 3/4 sleeve button-up shirt, and black (not TOO) high heeled shoes. Oh- the interview's for an internship.

Does that sound ok?

[Phillycat]

1. Sounds good.

Remember to tie your hair back or up and wear conservative jewelry and makeup.

PS. Make sure the skirt is knee length.

[LaraMN]

2. Good!

I was planning on putting my hair up. Even reading the word "conservative" in this context makes me shudder.:P
No hoop earrings, huh?
Dang.

[Phillycat]

4. If the hoops are a quarter sized or smaller, that's fine.

I'm a manager, so I interview a lot of people. :) Bigger earrings can get distracting. Basically you don't want anything - a large earring, a lipstick shade, a low-cut blouse, having to touch your hair to move it out of your way - that distracts them from YOU.

[LaraMN]

7. Gotcha!

Thank you!

:*

[tigereye]

9. it's so funny

my husband is an IT guy, and he says that if you dress too conservatively, they blow you off, since those folks tend to wear t-shirts and jeans a lot.


When I used to interview people, I was amazed at what younger folks would wear (I'm from the generation that felt that you HAD to wear a suit of some sort to a professional interview, no matter what), but I have to say one of the best people I ever hired was a woman who showed up to the interview wearing an army jacket. Granted this was for a mental health agency job.

I guess I lowered my dress-up expectations. I'd be curious to know if all managers still expect that more conservative level of dress, as opposed to business casual.

on edit, what Lara plans to wear sounds good.

[Phillycat]

12. I work in healthcare administration

Still conservative here. :)

And don't get me started on what people wear to interviews! Not to mention, TYPOS IN THEIR RESUMES. I just throw them out when I see that.

[1gobluedem]

14. I do too

And I toss resumes that are padded with high school achievements, etc. Unless you have more than ten years of business/work experience you should only have a one-page resume.

I think the outfit sounds fine, I second the smaller earrings. Once you know how they dress there you can dress accordingly but err on the side of caution the first time.

[LynneSin]

3. Go naked

What's the worst that could happen?

[LaraMN]

6. My butt gets sweat-stuck to the seat

and makes that icky peeling noise when I stand up.

[CottonBear]

5. That sounds perfect! I work in that field. Are you studying architecture or engineering?

Nice classic jewlery like silver or gold earrings and a simple necklace are always good. A nice watch will pull together the outfit. Do you have a black handbag? Remember to turn off your cell phone before going into the office. Architects are usually less conservative (i.e. more fashion forward) in their dress code than engineers

Good luck! :)

[LaraMN]

8. I'd actually be doing writing.

I'd be working with their graphics and marketing guys, I believe.

[jakefrep]

10. That pants-as-a-windbreaker thing that jackMN favors...

...would knock 'em dead.

[LaraMN]

11. Bwahaha!

It's hot!

[RubyDuby in GA]

13. As the office manager for an architectural firm, that sounds just fine

Trust me, when you get the job, then you can start with the jeans.

[Tektonik]

15. whatever you wear

wear a plastic tarp or something to protect it all in case your kid decides to spill something on you right before you have to leave :P

[taught_me_patience]

16. You must wear a suit

its better to be too over dressed than under (at least for the first interview).

[Flaxbee]

17. do you maybe have a black cardigan or something

to tie over your shoulders or wear over the shirt? I don't think you need a formal suit, but sometimes a cardigan to pull it all together is helpful...

[applegrove]

18. Sound perfect. Good luck with that interview.

[carly denise pt deux]

19. that sounds perfect

best of luck!
Carly