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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go to a job interview in jeans

55 replies

badgercat · 04/05/2017 20:10

I've stumbled across a job that's ideal for me, however I only found it yesterday and I have an interview tomorrow. We're in the process of selling our house so anything non essential is packed away, including anything suit like that I could wear to this interview.
I have smart dark blue jeans and a blouse, is it unreasonable to not want to spend £20+ on new trousers I may only wear once? (I shopped for cheaper today but found nothing more suitable) The position is kitchen assistant at a kids school, I have no experience in the role and haven't worked for 14 years so it's kind of a long shot anyway 🤔

OP posts:

BlondeGinger · 04/05/2017 20:24

What about a smart dress and tights instead if you haven't got the trousers?

Fruitcorner123 · 04/05/2017 20:25

Skirt and ankle boots is preferable. I wear that anyway but if it's not your style it doesn't matter really as it won't stop you getting the job. They don't care if you are fashionable just fairly smart and like you've made an effort. I would go for that.

woollychimp · 04/05/2017 20:28

I would try to find trousers or a skirt - either borrow or in a charity shop. A friend works as a kitchen assistant in a private school and she isn't allowed to wear jeans to work.

onceandneveragain · 04/05/2017 20:29

no I definitely wouldn't wear jeans. Is there an asda near you? I've bought a few £6 black work trousers from there that are perfectly nice.

If it's a long shot anyway then why disadvantage yourself even more by not looking like you're taking it seriously?

It's not a waste of money, you'll always wear a plain pair of black trousers, e.g. at other interviews, smart meal, funeral.

As an absolute last resort, although I don't usually advocate this, if you'll only be wearing them for an hour or so I would buy the more expensive trousers if they're the only ones available, not cut the label off and then return them after the interview if you can't afford to keep them.

SingaSong12 · 04/05/2017 20:30

I'd try to get something more formal. If you can't think about mentioning at some point that you are in the process of moving house. (But not as an example or planning or organising something as they might wonder why you didn't keep a formal outfit out. - I'm not criticising, moving is incredibly difficult and no doubt you would have if you had an inkling that you might have an interview, one of those things that can't be helped)

NapQueen · 04/05/2017 20:30

Tesco sell black (decent!) dress trousers for 6 quid.

SingaSong12 · 04/05/2017 20:30

Oh and Good Luck with the interview- I hope you get the job.

Original poster

badgercat · 04/05/2017 20:32

I was going to use it as a bit of an opener to start conversation going as Verysadinside suggested.
I don't drive and anything remotely budget is an hour on the bus.

There was a suit blazer in the charity shop, combined with my blouse it might throw them off the jeans ?

OP posts:

Fruitcorner123 · 04/05/2017 20:35

I have conducted interviews in the past and I would honestly assume anyone who turned up in jeans wasn't really serious about the job. This may not be the case here but I just think wear anything else if you can.

KatherinaMinola · 04/05/2017 20:36

Do you really have nothing except jeans in the house? No trousers, dress or skirt? Tunic and leggings?

If so then I'd run out tomorrow and get a skirt or dress from the charity shop first thing. Skirt and ankle boots is fine. It's a NMW job (I presume) so they're not expecting fashionable or expensive, just appropriate.

DurhamDurham · 04/05/2017 20:41

I think if you can dress the jeans up with a smart top and jacket you should be fine. Good luck !

PhyllisNights · 04/05/2017 20:45

Absolutely not. Knock around the neighbours, ring up your friends - don't go in jeans.

AwaywiththePixies27 · 04/05/2017 20:45

I really wouldn't.

Primark do a pair of what I call 'uniform trousers'. It's basically a whole range of basic trousers, white blouses / shirts, skirts and jackets. The suit jackets are about £15 but the trousers are literally only something silly like a fiver.

daisypond · 04/05/2017 20:48

I think skirt and ankle boots are preferable to jeans. Some schools are very keen on "no denim" for staff.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 04/05/2017 20:53

Definitely not.

MsJudgemental · 04/05/2017 20:53

Definitely no jeans, no matter how smart. Most schools do not allow denim for any staff member. Have you really packed everything else away? If you can't get to a charity shop then ring around friends. By the way, what's wrong with a skirt with ankle boots???

UppityHumpty · 04/05/2017 20:57

Skirt and ankle boots is way better than jeans.

OlennasWimple · 04/05/2017 21:09

Basic rule of thumb is to be one "notch" smarter for the interview than you would need to be doing the job. So jeans are pretty much out for most school job interviews

NapQueen · 04/05/2017 21:14

Just unpack a box.

jmh740 · 04/05/2017 22:02

I have worked in a school kitchen. I wouldn't go to the interview in jeans? Surely you must have known about the interview before today? I would go to asda/tesco in the morning and buy a pair of £6 smart trousers

Original poster

badgercat · 04/05/2017 22:15

jmh740,

As i've already posted, I contacted them late last night and received a phone call this morning asking me to come along for an informal interview tomorrow.

I dont drive so no option to go shopping for clothes.

Thanks again all, I'm going to try again in the charity shop or cave and buy the £20 pair. Cv is completed so I'm ready to go !

OP posts:

haveacupoftea · 04/05/2017 22:39

It's an informal interview I would wear what you have. No point leaving yourself skint it's not like you're turning up to start work that same day and need to be in uniform.

Original poster

badgercat · 05/05/2017 11:06

Well I bit the bullet and went to buy the trousers - they were actually £26 - but that doesnt matter because my fat arse didnt fit in them anyway !

I managed to locate some suit trousers I had, they dont quite do up so they're a no,

Now feeling meh about it all but I've managed to get together a pair of linen trousers, smart top and jacket. It looks shit but then its not a fashion show,

Will let you all know how much of a flop it was in a bit !

OP posts:

KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 05/05/2017 11:11

Stay positive and good luck

HateSummer · 05/05/2017 11:17

Well I wore denim camel coloured chinos and a blazer to my last job interview and was offered the job the next day. Not sure they'll care you're wearing jeans for a kitchen assistant job tbh. I wouldn't waste money buying smart trousers.

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