I’m proud to say that my friends come to me for fashion advice, especially for professional interview and work wear. With my first interview of senior year coming up on Thursday, and a lot of my friends shopping for their first suits, I thought I’d make a few suggestions to those new to professional dressing.
Dress conservative. This is an interview, you are likely not going to feel especially attractive in this outfit, and that’s a good thing! This means that your skirt or pants do not pull around your booty or front, and your suit jacket doesn’t pull around the bust. The top underneath your suit has a conservative neckline (NO cleavage) and tucks in comfortable to your skirt or pants.
My personal recommendation is to wear some sort of sleeveless blouse underneath your suit jacket. First, you’re less likely to feel hot under so much fabric, because there will be less, and the necklines are most flattering for under jackets. I believe that women should not wear button downs under suit jackets- you feel the need to fuss with your collar too much and it bunches oddly around the sleeves. A crisp, solid colored, sleeveless blouse does just the trick under the suit jacket.
But the most important part of dressing for success for interviews, is being yourself and being comfortable. In my first suit shopping experience, I went for a gray suit, and not the typical black, and I’m so happy with my decision. For some reason I’ve never really enjoyed wearing black, and the gray suit allows me to wear colors underneath that I love: green, purple and navy.
My greatest recommendation for women suit shopping is to start before you need one. You will be more relaxed shopping, and can try on casually and determine aspects of suits you love and aspects you don’t. You can find the suit that fits your personality best and wear the suit, instead of owning a suit that wears you.
I love dressing for success. Whether it be for the career fair today and I’m wearing my suit in confidence, or just going to class and looking better in a simple jeans and a v-neck pocket t with a scarf than the kid sitting next to me in sweatpants and a hoodie.
I agree there is a level of dressing for success for interviews and more professional settings, but remember your professors! The people who see you twice a week throughout the semester.. Remember some of them are or were professionals in your desired field. They could help YOU get a job! So don’t only dazzle them with your work ethic, but always with you level of professionalism in the classroom. And a simple way to start that is to be put together and alert.
… Sarah, I really like this topic too, I don’t think enough business students realize the importance of a first impression. So glad you’re helping spread the word
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