Time to ditch those sweat pants, slippers, and pony tails. I know, life of a mom right? At least when you are not working. But now all eyes will be on on you as you are about to face the biggest interview of your life. You definitely want to dress to impress so to speak but what exactly does that mean? Surely, you don’t want to show up under dressed or even over dressed for that matter so what style would be the perfect job interview attire?
As I was searching for ideas on this topic I came across a wonderful article over at eHow and it’s the perfect guide for what women should wear to impress employers for their job interview. I have taken a few of their tips but also added to them from my own personal experiences. So, grab a paper and pen and take notes, you definitely don’t want to miss this, especially if you have a job interview in your future.
Tips for Dressing to Impress
- Find out ahead of time from the possible employer what employees generally wear every day. This will give you an idea of what you can put together from your own wardrobe. This is excellent advice! For more excellent advice on what to wear to the office check out “Workwear Special” over at Marie Claire.
- Is the job setting corporate or informal? If it is a job interview at a local mall you can expect a simple yet classy sweater or cardigan with dress pants. If it is a corporate setting, consider a nice business suit or pantsuit. Don’t have a nice business suit or pantsuit? No worries, check out Nextag.
- If you choose to wear a skirt, it’s important to include nylons. Nothing tackier than showing up with bare legs. You want to show and display that you are serious about the interview and the possible job. For crazed moms who will most likely snag their nylons (like myself), as they head out the door, check out eHow for a really good article on how to stop a run in nylons. Also, depending on the weather decide what type of shoes you should wear in order to impress. Open toed? Pumps? Loafers?
- Okay ladies, here is something you most definitely want to avoid when trying to impress your possible boss: Do not wear anything tight, (top and bottom), avoid short skirts, low cut tops, and sandals or flip-flops. This is a fashion disaster in the work world.
- Make sure your interview attire is pretty much flawless like no holes or runs in the nylons, no wrinkles, stains, etc. As a mom it can be almost impossible to avoid these disasters so by my experience, hang your clothes and use a garment cover to keep them perfect.
- Don’t overdue your hair and makeup. Too much makeup and hair products is very tacky and a turn-off. Also limit the amount of perfume and tone down your jewelry choices. You don’t want to show up looking like you are trying to enter the Miss America Pageant. Also, avoid unusual piercings like a nose ring, eyebrow ring, etc. This will most likely cause you to not get the job. For professional makeup tips before an interview check out Good Evening World.
- Make sure your nails are nicely filed and neat and clean. Use light nail polish or none at all. Also, be sure your shoes are shiny and hems, etc. are neat and straight.
- I have heard it said that wearing some sort of simple silk scarf with your interview outfit earns you bonus points in an interview as it is classy and very impressive. Carrying your portfolio and resume in a nice looking briefcase doesn’t hurt as well. It shows you are serious and dedicated to getting the position. Don’t bother showing up with your giant leather or designer handbag. Employers don’t care about fashion in that sense.
Obviously, you want to dress in a way that describes and shows who you are as a person, but keep it in perspective and on a professional level. So, go gettem! You want this job and you deserve it. So go dress to impress!
Have any other tips to share with us? What has your experiences been with dressing appropriately or even inappropriately for a job interview?
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Job interviews are an odd ritual. You're supposedly there to demonstrate your qualifications for the job, your personability, and your impeccable personal hygiene. And yet, beyond the expected Q & A, so much goes on behind the scenes. So much is implied. Both sides try to hold their cards as close as possible. Don't underestimate the interview – it is a veiled sparring match, a poker game where the stakes are your future job and the interviewer's reputation. To go into a job interview expecting mere small talk is to doom yourself to the "we-appreciate-your-interest" letter.
Go into your next job interview prepared. Along with a healthy sense of confidence and your most professional outfit, having an awareness of the pitfalls that await you will let you put your best foot forward without sticking it in your mouth. Check out the following five most common interview pitfalls and consider yourself warned:
1. "Tell me about yourself" – Where to start? "You" is a pretty vast topic. For starters, don't tell them your life story. Don't tell them your favorite movies, colors, or ice cream flavors. They're not asking for your autobiography; they're asking for a brief summary of what kind of employee you are, what you do better than anyone else, and what assets you will bring to their company. My tip: write it out and rehearse it. Great personal summaries don't come by just shooting from the hip.
2. Problems with Co-workers – Don't interpret this as a chance to gossip about past workplace soap operas. Rather, see this as a chance to show your ability to resolve interpersonal conflict. Be very careful about how you describe negative individuals. Especially avoid saying what race or gender they are. The last thing you want is to be perceived as a bigot, a sexist, or a racist. Companies generally avoid these people like the plague because they are a legal liability.
3. Your Biggest Weakness – This odd question is more common than you might think. It may seem like an invitation to shoot yourself in the foot, but it's not. The interviewer only wants to see that you are self-evaluating, manageable, and, heaven forbid, humble. Therefore, the best way to answer this question is to find a weakness that you actually have and turn it into a positive. Also, don't go with any seriously detrimental personal flaws.
For instance, don't say, "I lose my temper, say terrible things, and throw things at people." This sends up about a hundred red flags. A better approach would be to say, "I am very passionate about my work. I really put my heart and soul into projects. Sometimes I need someone to pull me back and help me keep sight of the big picture." Responses like this show an ability to evaluate yourself, rely on others, and work passionately- all great plusses. Practice this one beforehand to make sure you say it just right.
4. The Facts – My tip: get them straight. If you write in your resume that you closed a $2-million deal, be careful not to inflate that number in the interview to $3 million. At best, it signals that you're not quite sure. At worst, it indicates that you are lying and they can't trust anything you say. Whether or not you did it intentionally, your word is now unreliable. Avoid this pitfall by studying your resume and making sure that everything you say agrees with what you've written.
5. Salary Requirements – This high-stakes question separates the pros from the schmoes. Just throwing out an arbitrary number is dangerous. If you go too high, you disqualify yourself. After all, they only have so much to spend on you. If you go too low, you set yourself up for a disappointing salary later on if you get hired. Both mistakes make you look unknowledgeable. Conclusion: don't just guess.
The only way to nail this one is to give a well-informed range (high to low) and an explanation of where you think you fit in that range. Salary.com has the best salary calculator I've seen in my travels. People who have experience in your prospective job can be a great second opinion. Responding with a well-researched range will make you look like a pro and give you great bargaining position later on when you get offered a job.
Mark my words, and you will survive the interview process to get the job of your dreams.
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