What to wear to an interview

[wishiwerearichgirl]

I have an interview for a serious job (haven't had one in years!!) - a management job in the public sector - do I need to wear a suit?

Or would something smart and stylish be ok? I have suits, but I'm too fat for them and don't really want to buy one as I might not get the job and the suit will just sit in the wardrobe. I am losing weight slowly so old suits should fit again at some point.

Don't really have much cash either.

Was thinking of a boden skirt I've seen on ebay with a fitted black jacket - does that sound ok or should i just get a suit (somehow)?

anyone??

What is the skirt like? Something like a pencil skirt/ blouse/heels combo can look just as professional as a suit but depends on the individual pieces.

The skirt is a patterned one, not sure on it now. Might just buy a cheap suit from tesco - not sure if it's worse to turn up in an awful polyester suit - maybe i'm overthinking?

Shouldn't have gained so much bloody weight!

How much time have you got? If you know which suits suit you and you're skint then ebay is worth a shot if you have the time.

I think it's very important to wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.

For me, in an interview I have to say it would be a suit.

Having said I went to an assessment for a job - and so saw all the other candidates at once, I was surprised at how many weren't in suits. Although I have no idea who got the job (not me that time), or if the subsequently wore suits to the interview bit.

FWIW I've put on weight and am quite large chested, and I've found that only suit jackets with at least 3 buttons suit me. The 2 button ones look silly now, on me at least.

How about any of these Next trouser suits? All currently under a tenner on ebay and up for sale in the next day - some of them are still at 99p.

And if you don't get the job, you can always sell it on ebay!

Navy wool pinstripe

Another next suit

This one's brand new apparently

Black pinstripe

this one also claims to be new

Neutral colour suit what do you call that colour anyway?

If you really want to save money, do a quick ebay search on only those suits being sold within say 10 miles of where you live, and then ask the seller (before you bid) if you can come and collect and save on postage.

I've won quite a few ebay things this way, it means I can bid a little more than those people who are factoring in postage.

I've just seen it's a management role (sorry skim read the first time). IMO you do need a suit.

Congratulations on the interview by the way

what about an Alexon suit off Ebay? here, My tip would be to carefully take your hip, waisy and bust measurements, then ask the seller to give you those measurements on the garments. That way you can get a really good fit!

I would have thought you would be safer with a suit tbh. I work in the public sector currently, and have been for 4 assessment centres/interviews in the past 3 years and the vast majority (although not all) were in suits.

Hi,

I work in HR and conduct interviews all the time. I would expect a condidate to wear a suit, especially for a management role. The suits linked to here would be great.

Good luck for your interview!

NB I have a couple of suits from before I was preggers that don't fit any more, including the one I wore to interview for my current job (ie which was successful! ) What size are you now, if you don't mind me asking, from a potential new-home-for-suits point of view?

Dissenting voice here but I think a skirt and a fitted black jacket would be fine. Especially if the skirt coordinates with the jacket.

Could you get a skirt (either black or a black-and-some-other-colour pattern) that would go with the jacket?

Wow, thanks for the links - some of them look really good and are the right size.

I thought I was a 14ish but it turns out I'm 16/18. I'm short too so will almost certainly need to factor in some time to have the trousers altered and interview is Monday morning.

Just bought a dress from M&S but it seems the consensus is that I should go for a suit. It is a much safer option I suppose, so hoping I get an ebay bargain.