I need an outfit for an interview......

[OwlMother]

I have never really been to an interview, I had my ds straight after Uni, all the part time jobs I have had since then have been through friends or other contacts.

I now have an interview this week for a TA job at a secondary school - first step to retraining as a teacher hopefully. But I have no clue about what to wear and my wardrobe is either jeans, or full on going out / wedding clothes!

I will buy something if necessary, but would be keen to still look like me IYSWIM. I am afraid of looking like I am trying to power dress, or like I don't understand what appropriate clothes are. I am a bit afraid of suits, having never worn one, and feel more drawn to dresses as then I don't have to match tops and bottoms.

I had ordered the Hettie dress in the marsh colour from boden, thinking that with black opaques and a black jacket it might work, but now I am doubting myself.

I am a size 12, about 5'8 with mid length red hair - if anyone can help I'd be eternally helpful.

Not sure what you wear day to day as a TA but I wouldn't wear a casual dress to an interview.

I think you need to swap the dress for something plain, black, grey or navy. Boden do some good ones, I have worn them to interviews and work.

Hope this helps?

I would not wear the dress. too casual.

Thank you both. I have this Is this ok or would it be better to wear black trousers / jacket and a blouse?

looks fine to me. if you are more comfy in dresses, I would stick to that. good luck!

The grey dress would be ok if you wore with a black suit jacket or blazer and black heels to dress it up a bit more. Perhaps with a simple pearl necklace.

Get to Next. Tis the unofficial public sector outfitters.

Will you have to do stuff with the children? Crouch or do messy play?

If not is recommend a suit, shirt and heels.

Oh just seen dress - that's fine with heels.

Thanks everyone. No, nothing to do with the children at the interview, and as it is secondary there won't be as much crouching down as with primary.

I had a look at Next but found the sheer volume of stuff a bit off-putting. My day to day shops for clothes are things like French Connection, Whistles, Gap etc (plus a lot of jeans!) and looking for interview things there didn't seem straightforward.

I can do black blazer and heels with the grey dress and will have to trawl online for a necklace, I'm particularly bad at accessories!

Long sleeve dress looks good- keep it simple=no pearls/necklaces , maybe a brooch at most. Heels not too high and don't look sexy! Read the thread re why teachers are leaving teaching- you might want to stay with the TA position! Good idea to try ta as it will let you see what teaching is really like from the inside. And talk to the teachers re how much work they do at home and how they manage family/work balancing. Good luck at the interview!

Thanks amarmai that's all helpful - I have realised my favourite "wear with jeans black suede stilettos" make me look like an '80s secretary stereotype so will have to pick up something else.

I have a DM who is a deputy head and a BIL who is a primary teacher so am quite up in the work / family balance (or lack of)! DS1 is 16, I've waited until they're more or less self sufficient to rock the boat.