WIBU to wear jeans, Converse and a blazer to an "interview"?

[StaceeJaxx]

Been on the dole for 3 months now since DH was made redundant. About 6 weeks ago they changed things around and I now have an "advisor" I see every 2 weeks when signing on. She is supposed to do everything she can to improve my chances of getting a job. (And she's surprisingly, very nice). She arranged for me to go on a CV course a month ago where they re-jigged my CV to make it more up to date and professional. They were supposed to email me the finished CV 2 weeks ago, and haven't but that's another thread.

Anyway she signed me up to get some work experience (which is pretty much like workfare - working for a certain period of time but still receiving JSA) because I've been a SAHM for the past 11 years. I was put on the list and told I'd get a call when something became available. At the time I asked work clothes, because I don't own anything remotely work friendly. I wear jeans and leggings all the time and TBH look a right scruff most of the time too. I can't afford to buy new work clothes (can't even afford a shite pair of jeans from Primark for £6)! She said we could sort something out when I get a placement.

I got a phonecall from the Jobcentre today about a work placement. I have to go to an interview first and then they'll let me know if I am successful. The interview is tomorrow at 10am. I have nothing appropriate to wear. The smartest thing I have is dark blue jeans, with a dark vest top and a black blazer on top. Would that be appropriate? Would Converse look best with the jeans (Converse are white) or would black boots be better? Boots are very scuffed an old but might be better than white trainers?

[Whoknowswhocares]

No way will jeans and converse work, sorry

Def try to borrow something. If things are really so tight that you don't have £6 spare, then you can't really afford NOT to make every effort to improve your lot!

Ps.....good luck!

[StaceeJaxx]

Thanks for all the ideas.

Nope unfortunately everyone else I know is a lot smaller than me IYKWIM. That puts borrowing out. I do have a dress that I wear with leggings but it's very "cowgirl" looking especially with the boots, would that be better? With the blazer worn over it?

[NotInGuatemalaNowDrRopata]

Do you really want this job?

[StaceeJaxx]

NotInGuatemalaNowDrRopata it's not actually for a real job. It's to gain recent work experience in order to help me get a job.

[StaceeJaxx]

And yes, I do want the experience, I'm actually really looking forward to going back to work after all this time.

[maybenow]

Wear the dress, preferably with tights and shoes - it doesn't matter how dodgy your fashion sense looks, it's about looking like you've made an effort and respect the position

[Bunbaker]

Can you get to Asda/Tesco this evening and see if there is something inexpensive you can pick up to wear? Do you not have any formal wear at all in your wardrobe? Are there any family members you can borrow from?

I know it is for experience, but if you walked through the door where I work in jeans and converse you would have a very short interview and not get the job.

[maybenow]

I totally understand not buying anything new for this interview which is only for unpaid work experience, but what if you get a REAL interview? You need to find an outfit soon so you know you have it in case.

[MumsGoToReykjavik]

Get to an Asda. They have basic black trousers for about £8. They aren't the smartest things you will ever wear but they do what they say on the tin. I know you said your skint but this will be an investment.

[StuntGirl]

Do any of your friends have any sisters/friends/kids closer to your size? I would put a shout out on fb and ask if anyone can donate something for you to borrow for the day. You could always say its down to the short notice rather than lack of money if it makes you more comfortable.

Does the dress veer more to costume looking or would it look smart enough with the rest of the outfit?

[GinAndSlimlinePlease]

A dress is a good idea, can you wear it with the blazer and boots? And then go fit discreet but polished make up and nails. And then at interview go in with a smile and your shoulders back. Posture makes a real difference to how good clothes sit and therefore how smart they look.

Good luck!

[talkingnonsense]

Do you have any kind of skirt? With a shirt of dhs? Even a summer one?

[mummymeister]

Dress with tights and boots buffed up would look best. Or the asda trousers. TBH if you turned up to work for me (in whatever capacity) i would expect you to look professional and smart. Converses and jeans say "i dont want this job i am doing it because i have to" you have to treat it like a real job. you could be on this reception job next week and someone walk in who is your next employer you just never know. so take it seriously, turn up looking your absolute best and give it your best shot.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

There must be something in your wardrobe smarter than that? A dress? It doesn't have to be black to be suitable for an interview. Just simply cut.

For a reception job they will expect you to dress, if not in a suit, then at least in office wear.

Asda sell suits for about £30. If you haven't got much money it might seem a lot to pay out, but there's no guarantee you will get the first job you are interviewed for, so having an "interview" outfit is wise.

[NotInGuatemalaNowDrRopata]

I think you really need to get into the mindset that this is a real job. I can guarantee that the people in the office you'll be seeing think it's a real job, even if you're not getting paid.

Is there absolutely no possible way you could get some black trousers? Supermarket or charity shop? If you do want to get back to work, then you'll need them (at the very least) anyway.

What if this work experience led to a permanent role and they just weren't saying?

[EuroShagmore]

Another no to converse and jeans here. Surely you can borrow a pair of black/dark trousers from somewhere?

[katykuns]

If you are really desperate (I may be criticised for this) could you not buy an outfit, hide the tags and return it the next day?

I have done this before out of sheer desperation, partly because I am also 'big' and it would be difficult to find decent clothes in my size in a charity shop...

[DontmindifIdo]

the dress, with thick tights (pop to the supermarket tonight/first thing in the morning to pick some up) the boots (polish them!) and the jacket.

Then have a look at the supermarkets/charity shop options for the future - a couple of smart outfits will help if you do get the job.

[StaceeJaxx]

Right I've just rummaged through the whole of my wardrobe and I found a pair of black wide leg dress trousers that I wore to my nan's funeral 4 years ago. I've somehow managed to squeeze myself into them and can't fasten the top button. But what about those with the vest top (it's navy blue with a frilly v-neck collar) black boots, and blazer with the blazer fastened?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I would go with the dress or plain black leggings with a long shirt, blazer and the boots. If you don't have a long shirt could you borrow a man's shirt as that would be longer than a woman's top.

[StuntGirl]

I can absolutely see it being possible not to have anything 'smart' in your wardrobe, if you never have any reason to wear it. I had never been to a wedding til 2 years ago, no funerals since I was a child and had the same job for years so no need for interview wear. If I was put in this position a few years ago I'd have been up shit creek too!

[5madthings]

that souns better :)

[IAmSoFuckingRock]

defintely not converse and jeans (incase you hadn't got that already )

empty your wardrobe onto your bed. discard anything denim. no trainers of any kind. preferably black shoes. have you any skirts you could tuck one of DH's white shirts into and put a belt over?

[IAmSoFuckingRock]

oops crossposting!

[IAmSoFuckingRock]

yes OP that sounds great! good luck for interview!