I always thought it was difficult to decide what to wear on a date…until I started having job interviews. Let me tell you, the struggle of choosing an interview outfit is real.
Sure, it might take over an hour to dress yourself for a first date. The floor of your room has become a small mountain of clothing. You’ve tried everything on. Your roommate is definitely tired of you waltzing in her room every five minutes to give you feedback, when she knows you’re going to decide for yourself regardless of what she says. But after you’ve thoroughly flipped your room inside-out, taken all of your hanging clothes off their hangers and emptied about 80% of your drawers, you’ll know what to wear. Deep down, you know what looks good and what makes you feel confident. You know the drill, and despite the anxiety and over-preparation, you will succeed in choosing an A+ (or A/A-) date outfit.
Want to know the sad truth? Picking a date outfit is about as challenging as candy crush level 15. It took you a little time to nail the ins and outs, but when you did, you found that getting to level 16 was actually not THAT difficult and was kind of fun! But choosing what to wear to a job interview?? That’s at least level 117. (Yes, that is the level I have been stuck on for the past four months).
You sit on your bed, stare at the three or four (if you’re super prepared) interview outfits you splurged on because you’re a senior and job hunting is apparently something you’re supposed to do. I WILL NEVER FIND A JOB, you’re probably thinking. So why bother with an outfit?
Here are a few tips to help ease the torture of choosing an interview ensemble:
1. Know where you’re interviewing. Yes, this may sound trite, but it’s important! While you can’t know all the details of an interview beforehand, do your research. What kind of company or business is it? What position are you applying for? Are you interviewing with a manager who’s been in sales for 25+ years? Or a recent college grad who was in your shoes last year? These are key questions to answer beforehand and can determine whether you wear your most formal knee-length interview dress with or without that statement necklace.
2. Know what the office atmosphere is. Is it a company of mainly under-30s who wear graphic tees and backwards flat brims? Don’t show up in a pencil skirt and a high-bun. They’ll definitely think you’re uptight. (And you very well may be…in which case you probably wouldn’t like working there).
3. Comfort is key. Find a way to be as professional or as casual as the job requires while still being comfortable. Do you sweat like my 59-year-old dad doing yoga? If so, wear a sleeveless blouse with a sweater so your armpits can breathe. No one wants pit stains visible from across the room. Do you have a mane of thick hair that sometimes covers your eyes? Wear it half-up half-down so the interviewer can see your face! Did you just buy new flats yesterday? Don’t wear them. You will get blisters and they will hurt.
4. Regardless of what outfit you choose or how you do your hair, remember to smile! It will go a long way. And, remember that your outfit isn’t the end-all be-all…your personality and qualifications are! The right job is out there for all of us. It just might take a bunch of interviews and a lot of outfits to match.
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