Interview dress code

Whiplashy

I have a job interview in two weeks. I've only had two interviews in my life and one was over the phone. Is it still common practice for women to wear a suit? Or would a black trousers and a top do? I only have one suit and it's not the best fit on me.

Also should I wear makeup for the interview? I have never worn makeup going in to work.

The job is for a newborn ear screener at a hospital if thats any help. Anyone have any tips about possible questions? I'm a Montessori teacher and have never worked in the health sector.

Oh and it's being done by a recruitment agency. The lady on the phone sounded lovely today but I've heard the interviews are harder with recruitment agencies. Any truth in this?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm a nervous wreck. Eight months out of work now. I desperately want this job.

Delancey

You'll never go wrong with a suit
As for makeup I guess used sparingly would not be a problem but probably best to avoid the BT's makeup counter look ( i.e. applied with a builders trowel ).

mufcboy1999

i have an interview this week for a job i really really need, i had a interview for the army a few months ago i made the mistake of wearing jeans,shirt and shoes and nearly everyone else had a suit:D

i think a full on suit for this interview would be too flashy and over the top as its a casual job, anyway i dont have a suit or the money for one:).

would black shoes,black or white shirt with black slacks be ok?

im a male:)

westendgirlie

Dunno about the questions you would be asked but if it's a medical job smart skirt/trousers and a blouse (not skimpy top). Most importantly clean, unpainted nails, hair neatly tied back and not much make up.

mufcboy, you should wear a tie too.

Best of luck

Mental Mickey

Whiplashy wrote: »

I have a job interview in two weeks. I've only had two interviews in my life and one was over the phone. Is it still common practice for women to wear a suit? Or would a black trousers and a top do? I only have one suit and it's not the best fit on me.

Also should I wear makeup for the interview? I have never worn makeup going in to work.

The job is for a newborn ear screener at a hospital if thats any help. Anyone have any tips about possible questions? I'm a Montessori teacher and have never worked in the health sector.

Oh and it's being done by a recruitment agency. The lady on the phone sounded lovely today but I've heard the interviews are harder with recruitment agencies. Any truth in this?



Sorry for all the questions! I'm a nervous wreck. Eight months out of work now. I desperately want this job.

Show some cleavage

juan.kerr

Go for the tin of fruit.

missbelle

I had two interviews at the end of last year. To the first I wore black trousers, a black vest and grey blazer jacket.
Second, I wore black trousers and a black blouse with a purple coat and scarf cos the weather was freezing!
Wore my hair down, with a little bit of makeup.
Make sure you wear confidence too

bbam

westendgirlie wrote: »

Dunno about the questions you would be asked but if it's a medical job smart skirt/trousers and a blouse (not skimpy top). Most importantly clean, unpainted nails, hair neatly tied back and not much make up.

mufcboy, you should wear a tie too.

Best of luck

All good advice...
Except the tie...

If mufcbox wears black trousers, white shirt and a tie he'll look like a waiter or an undertaker that lost his jacket :rolleyes:.. I think black trousers and white shirt, not as part of a suit looks poorly..
I don't think a suit is often required unless it will be dress code for the job...
The only times I've heard a panel comment on a candidate was a chap who wore jeans with torn holes and another with "unkempt" hair, looked like it had never been cut, brushed or washed--ever!

Smart casual, well groomed, not too much makeup for the gals, nothing that smells too strong for anyone...

Then you just need to know your sh1t when your in there... A dope wearing a suit is useless..

I've often told candidates they can take off their suit jacket as they obviously were uncomfortable in it and it was making them more up tight than needed..

mufcboy1999

bbam wrote: »

westendgirlie wrote: »

Dunno about the questions you would be asked but if it's a medical job smart skirt/trousers and a blouse (not skimpy top). Most importantly clean, unpainted nails, hair neatly tied back and not much make up.

mufcboy, you should wear a tie too.

Best of luck

All good advice...
Except the tie...

If mufcbox wears black trousers, white shirt and a tie he'll look like a waiter or an undertaker that lost his jacket :rolleyes:.. I think black trousers and white shirt, not as part of a suit looks poorly..
I don't think a suit is often required unless it will be dress code for the job...
The only times I've heard a panel comment on a candidate was a chap who wore jeans with torn holes and another with "unkempt" hair, looked like it had never been cut, brushed or washed--ever!

Smart casual, well groomed, not too much makeup for the gals, nothing that smells too strong for anyone...

Then you just need to know your sh1t when your in there... A dope wearing a suit is useless..

I've often told candidates they can take off their suit jacket as they obviously were uncomfortable in it and it was making them more up tight than needed..

Ye that makes a lot Of sense alright, I was thinking of a black shirt really more so than white would the all black look be a good one?

Also what about the tie with the black shirt...

Cheers much appreciated

Eoin

bbam wrote: »

I don't think a suit is often required unless it will be dress code for the job...

I wouldn't agree with that as a rule, but mufcboy1999 said it's a casual job, so "business casual" might be OK.

NicsM

Whiplashy wrote: »

I have a job interview in two weeks. I've only had two interviews in my life and one was over the phone. Is it still common practice for women to wear a suit? Or would a black trousers and a top do? I only have one suit and it's not the best fit on me.

Also should I wear makeup for the interview? I have never worn makeup going in to work.

The job is for a newborn ear screener at a hospital if thats any help. Anyone have any tips about possible questions? I'm a Montessori teacher and have never worked in the health sector.

Oh and it's being done by a recruitment agency. The lady on the phone sounded lovely today but I've heard the interviews are harder with recruitment agencies. Any truth in this?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm a nervous wreck. Eight months out of work now. I desperately want this job.

I would definitely make an effort for the interview. Wearing something you are comfortable in will translate into confidence-it might seem cliched but rather than dressing up in a suit and feeling self conscious would you consider another form of business attire? I've done a variety of interviews over the last year and have seen very few women in full on trouser suits.

For example, a smart skirt and blouse with opaque/plain black tights and flat shoes can look dressier than just black trousers. Minimal make up will give you a polish and as another poster said, clean unpainted nails are important.

Best of Luck OP