Job interview attire

[tink_n_pooh]

This has come up in conversation a few times in the last few weeks.

Let's pretend that you are going on a job interview for a full-time office type position (admin assistant, secretary, etc.), what do you wear?

 

[mrsv98]

This has come up in conversation a few times in the last few weeks.

Let's pretend that you are going on a job interview for a full-time office type position (admin assistant, secretary, etc.), what do you wear?

Male or female?

Male: Nice suit and tie, clean shoes, tidy hair, clean nails

Female: nice suit or blouse/skirt combination, nice shoes with a not too high heel, tidy hair, clean nails, no super long or crazy designs

For both: limit jewelry and keep visible tattoos to a minimum

It may seem a bit old fashioned but with an "office" job, better to be conservative unless you know it is someplace "creative" like Google.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

For type of position, I would be in full business professional attire. Dress pants, with a dress shirt, dress shoes. Keep it low key, so no crazy hair or makeup.

 

[prncess674]

This has come up in conversation a few times in the last few weeks.

Let's pretend that you are going on a job interview for a full-time office type position (admin assistant, secretary, etc.), what do you wear?

It also depends on the location and type of business.

If you are interviewing for AA job for a downtown NYC financial district firm then a dark suit, white shirt, closed toe shoes and leather portofolio case are an absolute must.

If you are going to be interviewing for AA job at a small suburban business (plumbing supplier, bookeeping company, real estate agents, etc.) Then I think a nice skirt/slacks with a pressed shirt, maybe a jacket/blazer if you have one and closed toe shoes.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

It also depends on the location and type of business.

If you are interviewing for AA job for a downtown NYC financial district firm then a dark suit, white shirt, closed toe shoes and leather portofolio case are an absolute must.

If you are going to be interviewing for AA job at a small suburban business (plumbing supplier, bookeeping company, real estate agents, etc.) Then I think a nice skirt/slacks with a pressed shirt, maybe a jacket/blazer if you have one and closed toe shoes.

I agree with everything except this. Completely not necessary, particularly for an administrative assistant/secretarial position. I'd hate to see someone run out and buy one because they thought it was a necessity. JMHO, been in the business forever, downtown NYC financial district firm for 23 years; been in the area a total of 28 years.

 

[mjkacmom]

Around here, a suit, male or female.

 

[Disney845]

A suit (both male/female) regardless of how casual you think the dress code at the office might be.

 

[marcyinPA]

Black dress pants or knee length skirt, black shoes with a heel (not too low, not too high). Sheer hose if wearing a skirt. Dress blouse in a conservative color, nothing too flashy. simple jewelry.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Isn't it a saying "don't dress like the job you have, dress like the job you want"?

 

[FireDancer]

I don't foresee wearing anything other than a suit for any job I actually want.

 

[Disneychix]

Dress pants or a nice skirt and a dress shirt. Unless you know that this company requires suits I don't think a suit coat is a neccessity.

One interview I went on I had a Pug pin on the lapel of my coat. The interviewer noticed it right away and commented on it. She had a pug too. She's been my boss for almost 6 years now

 

[mjkacmom]

Dress pants or a nice skirt and a dress shirt. Unless you know that this company requires suits I don't think a suit coat is a neccessity.

One interview I went on I had a Pug pin on the lapel of my coat. The interviewer noticed it right away and commented on it. She had a pug too. She's been my boss for almost 6 years now

I think you are wrong. I've both worked as an AA in NJ, and in HR in NJ, and I can't imagine anyone showing up not wearing a suit! It could be regional, but that's just how things are here.

 

[Disneychix]

I think you are wrong. I've both worked as an AA in NJ, and in HR in NJ, and I can't imagine anyone showing up not wearing a suit! It could be regional, but that's just how things are here.

Yes, I would agree it's regional. I also was thinking more for a woman. I have never owned an actual business suit. I guess it would depend what line of business the AA job was in.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd wear a dress or skirt/blouse combo. Flats. Clean nails, minimal makeup and a simple bag.

 

[timmac]

One small caveat I'd add to the "always wear a suit" would be the exception for some companies where it's well known ahead of time that they don't want you to... it will actually count against you in those cases (Google, facebook, possibly some other places would all fall into that category)

 

[prncess674]

I don't think someone applying for a administrative job would be required to wear a suit for an interview. If you have one, then great, wear it, but I would never expect to see most administrative personnel in suits unless of course you were interviewing to be the assistant to the CEO of a major corporation.

I have also done practice interviewing with people and I always hear "wear a suit" but it makes me cringe when women walk in wearing these bad Penney's/Kohl's polyester get ups with the shiney silk blouse. I think it looks cheap and I would much rather see a polished look of a pressed crisp white cotton shirt and knee length black wool skirt.

 

[Ember]

I always dress one step up for the position I'm interviewing for.

So when it was a retail position and everyone wore street clothes, I wore a skirt and a nicer top. When I interviewed for a manager position and the people at the company wore business casual, I wore dress pants and a button down shirt. In an office position, I'd wear professional clothing.

 

[dngnb8]

This has come up in conversation a few times in the last few weeks.

Let's pretend that you are going on a job interview for a full-time office type position (admin assistant, secretary, etc.), what do you wear?

Business Professional.

Men: Collared long sleeve shirts with tie (jacket preferable but not required). Slacks, polished shoes.

Women: Business suit, blouse buttoned and not low cut, skirt around knees or slack. No high heels, but heels are okay.

 

[bigredbill]

I always dress one step up for the position I'm interviewing for.

So when it was a retail position and everyone wore street clothes, I wore a skirt and a nicer top. When I interviewed for a manager position and the people at the company wore business casual, I wore dress pants and a button down shirt. In an office position, I'd wear professional clothing.

This is good advice. Our office dress was business casual -- no ties or suits -- polos and khakis were common. I have hired many individuals and generally expected them to show up in professional attire for the interview. Wasn't a deal-breaker if they didn't, but it would begin to raise questions in my mind on just how much they wanted this position. Visible tatoos (especially on the wrist for females) and too much jewelry was more of a red flag for me. The job market is tough -- you need to stand out in a positive way from the other applicants.

 

[SandrA9810]

I hate women's slacks, there's no back pocket for my wallet. And men's slacks don't try to excentuate (sp??) anything, which I like. Women's shoes are a nightmare. I find it to be an evil outfit from below the earth.


I have one, just for an interview... But I think it looks hidious and ruins my confidence in my appearance. I like the winter time more when pants and long sleeves are more acceptable.