Interview advice please

jos28

Just found out today that I am being made redundant:( I've been with the same employer for a very long time so needless to say I am not looking forward to doing interviews.
I'll need to spend some of my redundancy money on clothing so I'm looking for ideas. Skirts/blouses do not suit my shape. I tend to go for shift shape dresses in work or trousers/top/short jacket. I'm small so short dresses usually come to my knee.

Is colour or pattern acceptable or should I stick to plain black/grey/navy ?
If I wear a dress do I have to wear a jacket ?
I presume a dress with bare arms or short sleeves is totally out of the question ?
Would this be suitable for interview
http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Colour-Block-Tunic-Shift-Dress/P22314523,en_IE,pd.html?dwvar_P22314523_color=F4&start=

So many questions.......

kelfy

Sorry to hear you are being made redundant jos, that is tough.

It's good to stick to more muted colours but it doesn't have to be all monochrome. You want to look smart and polished rather than sombre and stiff. It does depend on your industry but if you look great in a certain colour do incorporate it a bit - maybe with accessories or a top or accent colour.

I think a cardigan can be fine over a smart dress. I also think short sleeves are ok once they are nearly to elbow length, particularly with a high neck and black tights or trousers.

I think that is a great interview dress once the fit is comfortable and flattering on you. I would wear a cardi over it as I think those sleeves are a bit short myself. I never really wear short sleeved things though, not just in the office!

Miaireland

May I ask what age group you are and what kind of industy you work in. Both will factor in the type of clothing that would be suitable.

I find Next quite goof for work wear. It might be worth having a look on their website.

Sorry about your job, good luck in the job hunt.

dee_mc

Sorry to hear about your redundancy, try to look at it as an opportunity to move on to bigger and brighter things
I think colour is acceptable within reason - strong, darker shades like teal, forest green, deep purple, wine etc can look great, and fresher than the interview wardrobe staples of black, grey and navy. I wouldn't be a fan of anything more than a very subtle pattern on one garment, for example a patterned scarf or panel of a dress, as I think busy patterns can distract from the business-like image you want to portray.
Warehouse can be good for interview-appropriate dresses and jackets (I have no idea what their stuff is like this season, but I've picked up some really nice pieces there over the years).
The M&S dress is perfect in my opinion, unless you're very busty (interviews should be a cleavage free zone, obviously!). The splash of wine colour is enough to make it look smart and sophisticated, and the short sleeve is appropriate to the season. Later in the year you could team it with a short jacket or cardi, either in black or in exactly the same shade of wine as the dress.
If you find something doesn't fit perfectly, consider having it tailored - I always feel more confident in clothes that fit like a glove and look like they were made for me
Probably a very obvious point but when I was going for interviews I always brought a spare pair of tights or stockings in my handbag!
Best of luck with the job hunt, you will look great!

jos28

Thanks a million for all the encouraging words. I'm 54 (that's why interviews seem so scary). I have been working at accounts/payroll/admin but am seriously looking at jobs in adult education/not for profit organisations. A chance to change direction maybe ?
Glad to know I am on the right track and not completely out of the zone clothes wise. LOL at interviews being cleavage free Dee
I'll have a look at Next, Warehouse and M&S at the weekend. Cheers Ladies, feeling better now

MouseTail

I have sat on interview panels in adult education and not for profit groups. The tips above are good. Look smart and tailored, the amount of people who presume as its a more casual working environment, dressing casually, or even sloppily to interview is shocking. If you are wearing a dress, wear a jacket also. I presume you have found activelink?
Good luck.

jos28

Thanks Mousetail, sound advice. I applied for 2 jobs on Activelink this week

10354127

I think the dress is perfect but maybe wear a smart cardigan or blazer over it as the sleeves are very short. I always finds its a good idea to sit down when you try on an interview outfit. You don't want to sit down in the interview and find that the top gapes or the dress is too short/rides up when you sit down.

A friend of mine recently wore a bright turquoise top with a skirt to an interview and the panel told her that she was a breath of fresh air, as most candidates wear black to interviews. They said it was lovely to see some of her personality shown in her outfit rather than just sticking to black.

jos28

Update :
I did my first interview in 20 years last Friday. I wore the M&S dress with a short black jacket. Happy to report that it went very well and I was offered the job. Unhappy to report that it came with sh1te pay and conditions so I shall be declining their offer. Delighted to have had the experience and definitely won't feel so frightened the next time. Bought myself these two items for the next one. The dress is very flattering and comfy. All ready for round 2 :D

MouseTail

Go Jos! You're clearly good on both paper and in interview, so I've no doubt the right job will come along. The outfit was perfect.