What to wear for first interview in 10 years?

[alittlebitshy]

Help! Please:)!!

I have an interview in just under 2 weeks. It is my first since pre dc. Last time i had one I was 22 and a size 10. Now I am 33 and a size 16 so a bit different .

I am pretty nervous and am really keen on this job - but the clothes issue is stressing me out before I even get to the nitty gritty of thinking about the physical interview.

A friend is taking me shopping next week - to help me choose, but I want to have some ideas about what is good, where from and how much i should be expecting to spend.

I figure that if i don;t get this job there will be other interviews so it will be useful to have decent smart wear, and even if i get the job there will be times (I have no idea of the day to day dress code in this job - it is in a specialist library) I need to use these clothes again.

I got a 20% off voucher in Clarks when i bought the dcs school shoes today so that is helpful. i have £50 birthday money which I will put towards this but I know I will need to break into the bank account too.

We will be shopping at Westfield Stratford if that helps re good shops.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

I am guessing a suit (read a few old threads and this seems the consensus) - but am I missing anything else? Colours? Shirt or what under the jacket?

Waaaah.

Thanks.

I'd go to Hobbs to try:

This jacket and skirt, which I'd wear with a plain shell top or camisole underneath; and this jacket and this dress

Funny I just eyed up the spotty one.

Only thing I have found is that Hobbs skirts tend not to be forgiving if you are slightly large of tummy. If you are after something cheaper next have a nice dress suit that I just posted on the other thread jacket and dress

Not quite the quality of hobbs but then, not the price either :)

Thank you!

I had an interview last week and wore a smart dress with brogues (Don't do heels) It was really hot that day so I ditched the jacket. It was a more senior position than any of my previous jobs and I got it. I think the fact that I felt comfortable but still 'me' really helped. I don't necessarily think it has to be a suit.

I agree it's really important to feel comfortable and to feel like you. If you never usually wear suits and the job you're going for isn't one where you'd be expected to wear a suit, then I wouldn't say a suit is strictly necessary. I tend to wear a smart dress for interviews. Or really smart trousers and a crisp shirt.

If I were going to Westfield I'd head to John Lewis. I think they may even have a personal stylist there who could advise you for free. I'd also check out Hobbs, M&S, and Zara. Depending on your style, you might also want to check out Cos. I never find anything I like in there but I've got colleagues who wear lots of Cos stuff and always look amazing and v smart.

In fact, out of all of those, Zara is the one I'd be most likely to get a suit in. Hobbs for smart dress.

Get the outfit first and then the shoes. Only go for heels if that's what you're comfortable in and what you usually wear. And don't go for anything too high/sandal-like/peeptoe. I've been eyeing up these and these.

I think the key is to keep it all looking neat and tidy so there's nothing to distract the interviewers or to make you uncomfortable.

You don't want to be worrying about your shoes being uncomfortable or your skirt being too short because it will affect how confident you feel in the interview. Simple make up (if you wear make up), simple hair (preferably tied back if long), etc.

Good luck!
PS. You know there's no parking at Westfield Stratford until after Paralympics, don't you?

Thanks so much! all really helpful.

ramblingrosa thanks - i never ever drive there . am 7 stops down the central line so i use that!

Just to add 'good luck' from us too!