There comes a
point in every woman’s life where she must put some serious thought into her
wardrobe and we’re not talking about the usual daily amount of thought that we
put into our every-day outfits. We’re talking about deciding on that perfect
outfit that exudes the right signals to those around you, sends off the perfect
message of reliability and responsibility, that one amazing outfit that will
simply scream employability.
It must be one of
the harder wardrobe conundrums out there, if there was a sliding scale; job
interview attire would be up there somewhere in between first date outfits and
what to wear to the office Christmas party.
It is one of those
occasions where what you wear really does
matter, because as we all know; first impressions count, so if you rock up
looking like you've not slept and you don’t have regular access to a washing
machine you probably won’t be needing to dig out your work permit any time
soon.
We take a little
look at some of the classic do’s and don’ts for power dressing, making sure you
wear the right thing without looking overly stuffy or too under-dressed; trust
us; it’s a fine art!
First and
foremost; never underestimate the power of the suit, they’re not reserved only
for old business men, if worn properly they can really hit the nail on the
head. They are properly formal for a smart job interview or just for an
important meeting and well worth investing in. Make sure you buy one that isn’t
seasonal so that it can be worn at any time of the year, whenever it’s needed.
A light weight fabric will avoid any creases and remember that you don’t have
to go for a classic black suit; go for one in a colour that suits your skin
tone. If you want to mix things up then you can always swap out trousers for a
stylish and feminine pencil skirt, to keep the ensemble looking fashion forward
then why not try out a printed two piece for one of this season’s biggest
trends.
If you decide to
go with a skirt then make sure that it is the right size, neither too big or
too small, one of the biggest conundrums we find with wearing skirts for a job
interview is to go bare legged or not. The rule of thumb here is if in doubt;
wear tights even if it’s just a pair of skin coloured tights on a warm day, it
just looks a little bit smarter!
A brightly
coloured lipstick will speak volumes about you without you even having to open
your mouth. Some people say that wearing a bright lipstick to a job interview
is distracting and potentially inappropriate but it is definitely an easy way
to bring a youthful and stylish twist to any outfit. Chose you’re colour
wisely, avoid a sexy red if you don’t think it will go down well and instead go
for an on-trend pink hue. If you do choose to wear a lipstick then keep the
rest of your make-up quite natural looking, a clean looking face with a little
blush and a slick of mascara should suffice.
One thing that
many girls forget to consider when putting together interview outfits is the
bag! It is equally as important as any other element of your outfit. A bag
speaks volumes about its owners so don’t turn up with a carrier bag from the
bargain booze store. A briefcase might be a little over the top for a young
lady but a smart satchel or clutch will do the trick, equally make sure you
don’t carry too many unnecessary belongings around with you. All you need is a
couple copies of your CV or presentation, make up essentials, diary, wallet and
phone.
Job Interview
Essentials:
1.
Black Blazer – Wallis
- £45 – This is an absolute interview essential, if you’re ever in doubt about
what to wear you really can’t go wrong with a black blazer. Opt for an
oversized style to keep it looking fresh and young looking.
2.
Textured Tailored Trousers - Moschino - £370 – A pair of tailored trousers are always a
good choice; they’re flattering and really mean business, try a pop of colour
to really pack a punch!
3.
Shirt – Victoria Beckham
- £450 – A shirt or blouse is a failsafe wardrobe essential, it will go with
anything from trousers to skits and looks great under a blazer, choose a
slightly oversized style and lightweight material to avoid looking too stuffy.
4.
Sequin Day Dress – Reiss - £110 – We surely
don’t need to tell you about the wonders of a well-fitting little black dress,
there is a reason it’s a classic; it’s a safe choice, choose an on-trend cut to
keep it looking fresh.
5.
Glacier White Python Heels – Alexander
Wang - £340 – The perfect pair of heels is hard to come by, these stunning
heels are just the right height to avoid any embarrassing falls and on-trend
white will keep your ensembles truly stylish.
6.
Contrasting Print Blazer – Zara
- £65 – If you’re feeling like you want to stand out then a printed blazer is
really big this season, it’s the perfect balance of style and formality, we
love this printed one from Zara, if you’re feeling really bold why not team
with the matching trousers!
7.
Pettite No. 2 Pencil Skirt – J. Crew - £63 – A
classic pencil skirt is perfect for a formal occasion but if you want to update
this look why not go for an on trend colour, this one from J. Crew would be
perfect teamed with a white blouse and courts.
8.
iPad Case - Zagliani - £390 – A
smart iPad case is a great accessory to take with you for a job interview, it
shows that you take care of your belongings and take pride in appearances!
So there you have
it, some of the essential items for dressing to impress for a job interview,
what are your essential tips that always help you shine when it’s needed most?
