What to wear to an interview for a secretary

Dee15

Hey, I'm 19 and just got told I have an interview for a summer job as a secretary in a bank on Wednesday! Never had a job before so I'm extremely nervous, does anyone know what I should wear to the interview?

Pocoyo

it depends describe your physical appearance....

Blingy

Dee15 wrote: »

Hey, I'm 19 and just got told I have an interview for a summer job as a secretary in a bank on Wednesday! Never had a job before so I'm extremely nervous, does anyone know what I should wear to the interview?

Well done and best of luck. You will need to be smartly dressed in business attire. A suit would be perfect but if you don't have that then (if female) a black/grey skirt (pencil maybe) plain cream/black top and a blazer. Dunnes and pennys do lots of these if your shopping on a budget otherwise marks and spencer are also good.

TheBody

Dee15 wrote: »

Hey, I'm 19 and just got told I have an interview for a summer job as a secretary in a bank on Wednesday! Never had a job before so I'm extremely nervous, does anyone know what I should wear to the interview?

Firstly, congrats on the interview.

A bank is a formal working environment. Therefore you should wear formal dress to the interview.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

jjnaas

Dee15 wrote: »

Hey, I'm 19 and just got told I have an interview for a summer job as a secretary in a bank on Wednesday! Never had a job before so I'm extremely nervous, does anyone know what I should wear to the interview?

Are you male/female?
Id go with a suit for a male. Easy on the aftershave!
Female - pant suit/skirt suit/dress pants or skirt with shirt and either a blazer or smart cardigan. No flashy colours and minimal jewelry. I'm male but I've never seen a female at an interview in anything but the above for office jobs.

therealme

Good luck op.

Generally a black trousers/plain black skirt - knee length and a white shirt area good idea. Tesco are great for bits like that if you are on a budget.

Keep it simple and smart. I interview staff a lot and I feel it looks more professional.

blindsider

Dee - you'll need to look smart for a bank. Ideally, dark trousers or skirt, white or blue blouse/shirt and co-ordinated jacket. Smart, sensible shoes - not too much jewellery, a little make-up, but not much.

http://www.dunnesstores.com/grey-striped-jacket/essentials/dunnesstores/fcp-product/8550110?colour=grey

...this kind of look, with a blouse/shirt.



If you have tattoos or piercings (except standard ear piercings), hide/remove them.

Best of luck!

Dee15

Pocoyo wrote: »

it depends describe your physical appearance....

I'm 5"11 and size 8/10, dark hair and tanned?

leeroybrown

Girl: A smart suit if you have one. Otherwise Black trousers / skirt and a white blouse. Aim for a smart look. Light on the jewellery and perfume. Feel free to try to look good but be subtle about how you do it.

Guy: Again a suit if you have one. A decent suit that can be used for interviews is something every guy ends up needing so think about getting one. Otherwise trousers, shirt and tie. Light on the aftershave. Make sure the shoes are polished. They do get noticed.

EDIT: If you're a 5'11 size 8/10 you should be able to carry off a very good business smart look without much effort. Smart is the key. You want to look good but in a slightly toned down way.

Pocoyo

Dee15 wrote: »

I'm 5"11 and size 8/10, dark hair and tanned?

5'11 :eek: wow wow wow!!

you will look good in anything dont worry about it!!!

Dee15

Thanks for all the replies, does a black lace dress just above the knee sound okay if I paired it with a blazer and tights?

Dee15

Pocoyo wrote: »

5'11 :eek: wow wow wow!!

you will look good in anything dont worry about it!!!

Thanks haha but I'm more worried about not looking out of place, never had an interview before so!

leeroybrown

Dee15 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, does a black lace dress just above the knee sound okay if I paired it with a blazer and tights?

Just above the knee sounds perfect but beyond that it depends on the the dress. It'd be easy to be overdressed in black lace. If adding the blazer makes you looks "smart" go for it. If not then you should tone it down. It's far easier to get on the wrong side of an interviewer by being overdressed than to win one over by looking good.

therealme

Dee15 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, does a black lace dress just above the knee sound okay if I paired it with a blazer and tights?

Stick with advice given & keep it plain.

If you are nervous, smile before you go for the interview. It relaxes you a little. Walk in with confidence and look happy and approachable if that makes sense.

First impressions can make or break if it comes down to it.

2Mad2BeMad

Dee15 wrote: »

I'm 5"11 and size 8/10, dark hair and tanned?

are you single as well?

off topic :pac: jokes...

office type job, wear black/grey slacks/skirt knee length, white shirt
grey/black jacket
high heels if you want (not too high!!) or flats considering your quite tall make sure their black or a dark colour nothing to fancy

best of luck op!

Dee15

leeroybrown wrote: »

Just above the knee sounds perfect but beyond that it depends on the the dress. It'd be easy to be overdressed in black lace. If adding the blazer makes you looks "smart" go for it. If not then you should tone it down.

I'll check the length to be certain tomorrow, thanks for advice!

ABajaninCork

Dee15 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, does a black lace dress just above the knee sound okay if I paired it with a blazer and tights?

No. A black lace dress is not business attire, IMO. It'll look as though you're going to a party.

As the others have said: Black skirt to the knee/black trousers, white shirt and nicely polished shoes are the order of the day. A black shift dress with a jacket would also look nice with a scarf. Why are you suggesting a lace dress?

Make-up - minimal. No brightly coloured nail polish. No heavy perfume. If you have long hair, either tie it back or put it up.

Dee15

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'll let you all know how I get on

ABajaninCork

Charcoal grey and navy would also be good formal business wear colours.

Dee15

ABajaninCork wrote: »

No. A black lace dress is not business attire, IMO. It'll look as though you're going to a party.

As the others have said: Black skirt to the knee/black trousers, white shirt and nicely polished shoes are the order of the day. A black shift dress with a jacket would also look nice with a scarf. Why are you suggesting a lace dress?.

The lace dress is a shift dress, it's not a party dress, but thanks for the advice!

ABajaninCork

Dee15 wrote: »

The lace dress is a shift dress, it's not a party dress, but thanks for the advice!

I understand that. But you're going for a secretarial role in a bank. So it's not formal business attire.

my teapot is orange

I think a good investment is a black shift dress and a black blazer. You can put them together to make a suit for the interview and then mix and match them with anything when you are actually working. You can do the same thing with navy or other office colours. I'm not sure if I would go with lace though.

Dee15

Thanks for all advice, just found out I got the job so very happy!

leeroybrown

Congratulations.

Pocoyo

Marry me...id make a great house husband!!!