Interview Attire

aeh72

I am interviewing for a new job for the first time in almost 14 years (wow, that makes me feel kind of old!). Last time I interviewed, the norm (in the private sector) was wearing a suit for job interviews.  Is that still true today? If it helps, I'll be interviewing with a public school system for a job in their administrative offices (not teaching).  I'd hate to invest in a suit when something like a dress and cardigan might be appropriate, but I really want this job so I'd be willing to make the investment in a new suit if that's still the norm.  Thanks!

bubble515

I would wear the suit and a nice blouse. I did that for a school job and  this way you know that you are dressed appropriately.

ss+el

I had my first interview in 18 years this past spring. I managed to find a black jacket that matched all my existing black dress pants and wore that. Spent $30 instead of a hundred or more. (didn't get the promotion, but it wasn't because of my attire)

Karla CS

You likely don't have to do a suit, but you should still try to do something more 'businessy' - If you're set on a dress, a sheath dress and blazer, or slacks, a dress shirt, and a blazer.

aeh72

Thanks everyone who responded so far.  I should have probably added that I currently work from home and when I have to go into the office, we're business casual and can wear jeans everyday.  True business clothes have been gone from my closet for a long time!  But, I do have a standard black sheath dress so I like the idea of just adding a blazer to that. 

LoCarb

Always dress one step above your audience. The dress with blazer sounds perfect, wear pantyhose.

aeh72

LoCarb said:

Always dress one step above your audience. The dress with blazer sounds perfect, wear pantyhose.

I've already thought about pantyhose and, ugh, it's a painful thought but I totally agree, they are required for an interview.  It's a strange feeling to feel so disconnected from what is the "norm" in the working world.  Working at home for years will do that to you. It's nice to have this board of working women to bounce things off of! :-)

Nechie122

Suits are still the standard. Things really haven't changed that much.

shannm

aeh72 said:

LoCarb said:

Always dress one step above your audience. The dress with blazer sounds perfect, wear pantyhose.

I've already thought about pantyhose and, ugh, it's a painful thought but I totally agree, they are required for an interview.  It's a strange feeling to feel so disconnected from what is the "norm" in the working world.  Working at home for years will do that to you. It's nice to have this board of working women to bounce things off of! :-)

I struggled with the hose issue a few months ago.  I found a great pair (Calvin Klein Matte Sheer) at Macy's.  They were barely noticeable but did make my legs look much better.

jnnfrrose6

aeh72 said:

LoCarb said:

Always dress one step above your audience. The dress with blazer sounds perfect, wear pantyhose.

I've already thought about pantyhose and, ugh, it's a painful thought but I totally agree, they are required for an interview.  It's a strange feeling to feel so disconnected from what is the "norm" in the working world.  Working at home for years will do that to you. It's nice to have this board of working women to bounce things off of! :-)

I'd disagree on the pantyhose point, unless you're going with black tights or something.  I'd say at this point, as long as your legs are shaved and moisturized, pantyhose isn't required.  Honestly, the only women I see wearing pantyhose these days are older and also tend to be in outdated outfits...but maybe that's just wear I'm from.

Totally agree with dressing on step up, though!

Karla CS

I'm also a pro-pantyhoser. I work in a corporate environment, and I think if your legs are showing, they need to be covered, at least for the interview. No one will fault you for wearing them, but you might get someone like me who would. And FTR, I'm not 'older'. Once you've got the job, you can feel out the environment and determine whether or not they're necessary and go from there. 

Fullcircle06

For my last interview, I wore a jacket (kind of like the ones below) with a black skirt. I wore tights (it was Feb). It still felt dressed up and pulled together w/out
having to wear a suit. ETA - I forgot to add that I got the job.

 

SoMoNY

Maybe its a regional thing or maybe its a media thing but I can't remember the last time I saw someone wearing pantyhose at work.  

And I'd guess that about 85% of the women I interview are wearing pants/pan suits.

Nechie122

This is sort of a tangent (and possibly UO) but I think women do themselves a disservice by dressing down compared to men. I go to a lot of conferences and men are always professional looking in a suit or a jacket. With women, it's a mixed bag. I've even seen platform sandals when, to me, toes should be a no-go.

My rule of thumb is that your DH (or male colleague) would wear a suit in the same situation, that's what you should wear.

aeh72

Thanks again to everyone for weighing in and your well wishes for the interview!  I think I have a good sense now of what is appropriate/commonly seen and feel confident I can pull something together without breaking the bank.  On the panty hose note - I would not be comfortable going to an interview in a skirt or dress without wearing them but you can bet that if they are not required on a day-to-day basis, this gal won't be wearing them, except tights in the fall/winter. I love that look.   Hmm, aside from getting excited about the possiblity of a new job, I'm actually getting excited about the prospect of wearing something besides yoga pants or some other form of "sweats" to work everyday!

mslmk11

In my college days for career planning center, they said that if you aren't positive what the appropriate attire would be for the interview, you can ask if needs to be business professional or business casual. Not that being dressed over your interviewer is a bad thing (I'd advise a suit of some fashion), but if they are okay with something less professional, then it's nice to know.

Good luck on the interview!

PseudoMama

I work in a very conservative environment and I would say a suit. No question. If you feel funny about a full suit you can soften it up by getting a skirt/jacket combo (black or a dark color), and a more feminine blouse. Sometimes a mismatched combo can accomplish both approachable but professional, like a black and white houndstooth skirt with a black jacket. 

Good luck!