Teachers! What to wear for interview...

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I have a job interview next week. Do I really need to wear a suit? I always think female teachers in suits look a bit 'try hard'. Will a smart dress or skirt & top suffice?

Primary or secondary? Leadership or not?

If primary, probably no need for a suit. If secondary, I'd wear a suit if for leadership and otherwise would prob wear a dress with a blazer over it.

I have been interviewing a lot this term - none of the candidates have worn suits. Lots of nice skirts and shirts or dresses with interesting shoes. That's not advice, just observation. In one interview the governor on the panel was completely put of the candidate because she had on a slightly see through blouse. She didn't get the job (but that is more because she was a bit bonkers than just the blouse).

A structured but pretty dress and a black blazer would be perfect, and nude tights and nice high heels that click when you walk down corridors

I interview a lot of teachers and honestly, I never register what they're wearing. Sometimes I'll write "spotty blouse, blonde hair" as a sort of aide to myself for the recap and decision-making afterwards, but I'm far to focussed on what they're saying to judge them on the spotty blouse. Just don't look a mess and you'll be fine.

I'm primary trained and look absolutely ridiculous in a suit. I always go with a smart dress and nice shoes with a cardigan. I do, however, make sure I have a smart jacket to put on if I feel the need.

oh this thread is timely
I was planning on wearing a trouser suit, I don't have a smart dress, I could probably do a skirt and jacket
it's a catholic primary, should I rethink?
i like suits

Also, I've been to interviews where the candidates have worn leggings, sandal wedges, and a see through, over sized shirt. I don't know if she got the job (I didn't though) but to me it drew the wrong sort of attention... I could well be just being judgey though!

Secondary. Middle management.

"structured but pretty dress and a black blazer" is exactly what I was thinking. And clicky shoes I'm glad someone else understands the importance of clicky shoes...

I want to feel like 'me' IYSWIM, especially for the lesson bit of the interview, but be smart and professional for the formal bit.

Thank you

I don't have any particularly nice shoes, either. Certainly no heels.
I have a jacket which is black with a few thin white stripes, this with a black non suit skirt and a white shirt?
I do feel better in trousers I have to say

I always go for smart trousers and a smart top when I go for interview (primary) others are usually similar - smart trousers, skirt or dress. Very rarely a suit for female.

I have worn a suit to every interview I've been for. I'm secondary Maths and haven't ever seen anyone taken seriously if they haven't been wearing a suit. The suit thing is possibly not the reason they weren't taken seriously as a couple of other things they did also spring to mind.

I personally would wear a suit, I always go for a trouser suit but a skirt suit would work too. I always feel it's better to be overdressed for an interview than underdressed.

I wore a skirt once (I never wear a skirt) I fiddled with it and was uncomfortable all day.

at times like this I envy men
all they have to choose is the bloomin tie!

Oh, x posts with a few of you there. I definitely wasn't planning to wear leggings or anything see-through!

Trouser suit sounds good if you feel comfortable in it Wild - I just don't. It reminds me of my old corporate days and I feel much better in a pretty dress.

Sounds like there's a big difference of opinion here, but that so long as it's 'smart' it's probably okay. I'll be staying with my dad the night before the interview and he's a proper 'old skool' teacher so will hopefully tell me if I've made a massive faux pax!

ah, thanks, that's reassuring. I like the armour plating feel of it! I can only do smart or scruffy really, I struggle with anything in the middle.
Good luck atruth! hope you get it!

You too wild so long as it's not the job I'm going for

no I am primary and much further down the food chain - NQT - so no worries there!

If middle management, stick with dress and black blazer but not a 'ditsy florals' type dress think Hobbs, LK Bennett?

I shall seek links.

I would go with a tailored dress and jacket rather than pretty. I'm secondary and tend to dress pretty smartly anyway. I have two or three smart dresses and always go with those for more formal occasions. My advice would be that it's better to be too smart than not smart enough. Good luck!

Always a suit! I've worn a suit to every interview I've ever had and always got the job - last one was HOD at a new school... I was the only candidate in a suit! In a professional environment you can never be over dressed but you can definitely be underdressed! I do think that a smart dress and jacket works as a suit though, I'm always envious of women that can rock that look. How high are you clicky shoes? One of the other candidates at my last interview wore a bejewelled lkbennet type short dress, black lacy tights and 3.5 in snakeskin stilettos... I've since been told she failed from the moment the head set eyes on her!!

Our former Head Teacher (Secondary) always liked a skirt suit.

I wouldn't want to work for anyone who liked their staff to wear skirt suits

Suit