Interview Clothing Help!

[Jessica]

Ok, so although I've had really great jobs so far, they've always been suuuuuuuper casual in terms of dress (ie. I've been able to wear jeans).

 

In a couple of weeks I have an interview for a counseling internship and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't show up wearing jeans! I hate, hate, hate, HATE dress pants, so I was thinking of going with a nice skirt and shirt. Is that appropriate?

 

The problem is when I wear skirts I never wear pantyhose because I hate them. But I've also really never worns skirts in a professional environment. I'm assuming I should wear pantyhose? Even with a calf length skirt? Also, are open toed shoes a total no?

 

I feel so lost! I realized that all my clothing is either 1. jeans and super casual or 2. "going to the club!" kinda stuff. I need to expand my wardrobe for the professional world. ::Sigh::

[beachbride08]

It depends on where you are interviewing, but you can't go wrong wearing a suit. If you do wear a skirt, definitely wear pantyhose and closed toe shoes. Wear minimal jewelry and no really bright colors or crazy patterns. You want whoever is interviewing you to remember you, not your outfit. Plus, when you get there you will be able to see what kind of dress code they have so you will know what you can expect to wear if you get the job. The Limited or Ann Taylor Loft has cute work appropriate attire that you can mix and match to find something that suits your style.

[foxytv]

Honestly, since it is spring now, I would have no problem wearing a skirt w/o pantyhose to an interview.

 

I have always interviewed in business suits (I like pant suits) regardless of the type of job.

 

If you go to the mall, many department stores have ladies who will help you in the business suit section. I think that might be your best bet to get some ideas of what the professional trends are now.

[JulieG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessicaLovesBrian Ok, so although I've had really great jobs so far, they've always been suuuuuuuper casual in terms of dress (ie. I've been able to wear jeans). In a couple of weeks I have an interview for a counseling internship and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't show up wearing jeans! I hate, hate, hate, HATE dress pants, so I was thinking of going with a nice skirt and shirt. Is that appropriate? The problem is when I wear skirts I never wear pantyhose because I hate them. But I've also really never worns skirts in a professional environment. I'm assuming I should wear pantyhose? Even with a calf length skirt? Also, are open toed shoes a total no? I feel so lost! I realized that all my clothing is either 1. jeans and super casual or 2. "going to the club!" kinda stuff. I need to expand my wardrobe for the professional world. ::Sigh::

I also hate tights, but I always wear them to an interview, just in case. You would not want to not get the job because of something silly like that. Also, wear closed toe shoes for sure just to be on the safe side. Once you have the job you will know what the dress code is right away and will know how to dress. I have worked in several law firms and always had to be very dressy, so I speak from experience. If you can get a suit jacket and a skirt to match that would be perfect. Just wear the tights and closed toe shoes for sure to the interview.

[Elizabeth]

I agree, you prob should wear a suit, regardless of what the actual dress code will be once you start. You can never dress too professional to an interview, but you defin dress unprofessional. I have (embarrassingly) not gotten a 2nd interview soley because I didnt wear a suit. (I wore suit pants, collared shirt and sweater over the collared shirt) Panty hose- up to you. Open toed shoes- I would say no.

 

Good luck with your interview!!!

[1elephant]

i say go with a suit. the limited usually has nice suits where the skirts and pants are interchangeable - so even tho you don't like the pants, you could by the jacket, the skirt, and the pants and have 2 suits!

i don't think pantyhose is necessary...but then again, i haven't worn any in probably 15 years (since my friends were bar/bat mitzvahed!)

i'd go with close-toed shoes, and if anything else, peep toe, but NO sandals at all.

 

i buy most of my teacher clothes at ann taylor loft. i like ann taylor too, but it's more $$ than loft. i also get a lot of stuff in the inc section of macys.

 

good luck!

[jamisoncollette]

Most counseling positions require some formality. I say interview in the pantyhose if you are wearing a skirt. I am required to wear hose in court, but not in the field. There is also the safety issue, closed toe, low pumps are going to get you out of the way of a pissed off client quicker than the cute hooker boots Good luck on the interview!