Graduate jobs - interview clothes

[EmmaStone]

DD is in her final year and started applying for graduate positions. Hopefully she'll get an interview somewhere, and I've offered to buy her an interview outfit, but I wondered what other DC are doing? She's looked at M&S but it's quite uninspiring. Zara seems to have a good selection of blazers and trousers - is a suit still required for interviews? I work in a very casual industry where you'd look very odd coming to interview in a suit, so I'm a bit out of the loop. However, some of the jobs she's looking at I would consider to be quite traditional, and customer facing. Do they even interview any graduates in person anymore??

agree it will vary in industry but even in the absolute most traditional/formal I wouldn't think a blazer etc is necessary. I'd be getting a nice top and trousers/dress instead, at least then she can get some wear out of it. As long as it's well fitted and smart it will be fine pretty much anywhere.

Wearing something that's extremely beyond her norm will likely just make her feel uncomfortable and more nervous. They want to see her presenting the best version of herself, not dressing up as someone else.

I would do something like a smart plain fairly fitted business type dress of just over or at knee length with long sleeves then shouldn't need a blazer. In finance it depended a bit if you were client facing or back office with client facing needing smarter than back office but it has relaxed re suits in most places.

My DD just bought a pair of dressy work trousers (Uniqlo) and a blouse (&stories) and borrowed a pair of shoes from me (as she usually lives in DMs or trainers). Only had one final interview in person (Big4) all other final interviews were online. I wouldn’t spend much on clothing.

I would also check on the company website to see what people there are wearing. In some parts of finance it will still be suits but for a lot a dress / trousers and smart top would be fine.

I think a blazer would be good actually if it's a role in the UK and the interviews are now, as it's quite chilly enough and it might solve the 'having a smart enough coat' issue. She can always then remove it on arrival if it feels OTT or indeed warm, but there is no harm in creating a smart first impression.

Perhaps with business casual underneath. Smart flat shoes not trainers. Chinos but not jeans. Midi skirt and shirt or plain top ideal. Think Uniqlo. I would go a grade sharper than what you would wear in the actual job. Smart jeans and trainers would be fine in many jobs now but woukd air on the side of caution for the interview.

I gave my dd a good handbag and I also had some new shoes that were suitable so I gave her those too.

She bought a plain structured dress and a more casual than formal blazer.

This one but it looks better in real life!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv122670/v94845

I've got these shirts and they are very good quality and a good price, in the sale now.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E488520-000/00?colorDisplayCode=00&sizeDisplayCode=003

They are well-made and wash well. These culottes are great too if she is undecided about trousers or skirt!

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E488010-000/00?colorDisplayCode=57&sizeDisplayCode=003

TU have lots of inexpensive shoes. I've always found them pretty good for the money. Also she could try TK Maxx or Schuh.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/browse/women/shoes-and-boots/shoes/c:841918/

This is more on the expensive side but would go with so many things and is slightly oversized so you could wear layers under on a cold day. Looks nice with jeans on the model so quite a versatile garment.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv024834/v61820

Also probably wouldn't wear for an interview as my feet would hate them but I love the pointy red shoes.

DD has plain black trousers, a couple of cream fine knit tops and patent maryjane DMs, with a lovely swishy Hobbs wool coat and a decent bag. Her style but elevated into workwear pieces.

Thank you all. And thinking along the lines of Big 4 for interviews, what are the thoughts on facial piercings? 😬She has a bar in her eyebrow, largely covered by her hair.

I work in “big law”, which is pretty similar to the Big 4, and I’d expect a women coming for a graduate job interview to dress on the dressed up, conservative side. They mostly wear a black or navy suit (from somewhere like Hobbs or Jigsaw). You could possibly get away with a dress and blazer or tailored trousers and a blazer if with a nice shirt, in conservative colours. But as PP said, I’d look very carefully at the company website and recruitment brochure if there is one to see how people are dressed in that, and do not dress any less formally.

Flat shoes are Ok these days but not trainers or boots. Jewellery yes but not “statement”, eg studs / small hoop earrings not long dangling ones.

I should emphasise - this is what I’d except at interview. If she gets the job, she can dress down a fair bit.

Ex Big 4 here - a smart dress or mismatched trousers/skirt and jacket will be fine - jewellery should be discreet and I would counsel against the eyebrow bar for the interview. She can explore whether or not it would be acceptable once she's got the job.

I would play it safe and remove the bar for the Big 4 interview.

Thanks All, that's my view too (I'm ex Big 4). Whether she'll take my advice...

Placemarking for info. Though for some reason next links are always blocked by my phone.😒

Any ideas for smart bags that might be acceptable to a 21yo?

TIA

There’s lots of young women posting on instagram day in life of a city paralegal or trainee type thing so you can see type of outfits they wear. For an interview I’d always err on smarter side.
My young colleague was giving a presentation today (law but not city) and wore straight leg black trousers, smart blouse, low heeled black court shoes and a blazer in a lighter shade and looked very smart.

Suit and remove the face piercing..

@EmmaStone M&S are pretty good right now. You need to look on line. Shops don’t carry all the stock. They have a great cinched waist trouser suit which is in a grey. Just add a shirt or knit, and she’s sorted for any winter interview. No to DMs and piercings. Massimo Dutti are great too. She needs to understand that you invest in yourself to impress. It’s hard to find your interview style when you’ve not had to but slouchy jackets and looking like your mum isn’t stylish. Look at what young people are wearing on the firms web site.

Bag - top handle grab bag in taupe, black or tan.

Has she considered looking outside of the Big 4 to firms like Saffrys? They are more likely to allow a little more personality shine through on a daily basis with piercings etc.

You have to get the gig and then assess what you car wear and how you adorn yourself. Getting a job is the difficult bit and good presentation that fits the company is part of the deal. Young people mostly get this when they want a high paying traditional role that can end up being client facing.

Client facing big 4 job interview would vere towards a fitted suit looking like the Hobbs ones but could be a cheaper version if you can find similar looking cheaper. https://www.hobbs.com/workwear/clothing/suits/ You can wear a plain colour on the top. Black, grey, navy for suits are the safest colours but can do a different colour if you want as long as it looks smart and professional. It should be the smartest you will be so if its not smart enough to go to a clients in, you need to find something else. Bags Osprey have some lovely ones but pricey, again similar looking cheaper ones can work. Coat, wool knee length or full length are probably safest choice, black safest but another colour can also work like white. I always used to keep an interview outfit rather than wear it generally as it needs to be in perfect condition and is often smarter than what you wear day to day.

I was thinking similar. If she’s even mildly “alternative” the “Big 4” might not be a good fit.

I really would not suggest a white coat. Can get grubby very quickly. Black isn’t necessary either. Wear a raincoat if it’s tipping it down and any darker or neutral shade of coat is fine. If she needs a new one, get one that will last well in terms of shape, colour and length. You cannot go wrong with navy, grey or a darker camel.

I really don't think anyone in the Big 4 is going to be remotely interested applicant's coats & bags at the assessment centre. As long as she looks clean & tidy and the AI hasn't said no initially, she'll be fine. Just remove the piercings. There's a lot to be said for applying for roles in firms where you think you can be you.