Help! 'Big Four' interview - what to wear?

[ReturnToTheNorth]

Just found out I've got an all-day interview with one of the 'Big Four' consultancies next week. I've been SAHM for the last couple of years and could really do with advice on what to wear as I'm totally out of touch with current workwear trends. Obviously I know I need to dress very formally, but should that be a suit? Or would a smart dress and jacket be appropriate?

Advice and suggestions very welcome! I'm size 10, 5'4". TIA!

Ex Big Four and now in banking - definitely smart dress and jacket or suit. Another tip is if you fiddle with jewellery/ watch when nervous, take it off once you arrive. Best of luck! They don't generally interview unless they are already keen, so agree with the partner upthread that they are looking for reasons to hire you.

Hi all, thanks ever so much for the further replies (and encouragement!).

I'm now kitted out with these pieces from Hobbs, which I'm really pleased with:

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0116-4281-9083L00&productvarid=0116-4281-9083L00-NAVY-IVORY-12&refpage=coats-jackets

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0116-5761-3671L00&productvarid=0116-5761-3671L00-NAVY-12&refpage=dresses

Still need shoes and a bag though. Think I'm just going to have to go for a fairly dull navy court with a medium heel. There are some really nice navy suede shoes in the shops at the moment, but I don't think suede is going to look smart enough.

The bag situation is slightly complicated by the fact that ideally it needs to be large enough to accommodate A4 papers, but I don't want anything too massive. Ideally navy leather.

Something like this would be perfect (www.cambridgesatchel.com/en-gb/shoulder-bags/the-east-west-tote-bag/EWTNA1004BNH10101.html?cgid=womens-shoulder-bags), but sadly I don't think I can stretch to £180 for a bag after spending £££ on my outfit (and more £££ on my hair which needed a cut and some fairly hefty colour correction).

Thanks a million to everyone again! It's been a massive confidence boost to know I've hopefully got it right appearance-wise for the interview, and I'm very grateful for all the excellent advice and pointers.

Bag & shoes suggestions most welcome and I'll let you know how I get on!

How about this?

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-reversible-tote/p2401103?navAction=jump

Thats really lovely, return. You'll look fab and feel super confident.

Outfit is ideal for the occasion OP

I think I'd go to M&S for some inexpensive, dull navy courts to be honest, these probably

Good luck!

Hi everyone, thanks for the further replies and suggestions - in the end I went for this bag (www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_089010524543_-1) and these shoes (www.hotter.com/gb/en/womens/womens-heels/angelica-heels) - the bag is great, the shoes are very boring, but they did the trick because I heard this morning that they're offering me the job!

So I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone for all the brilliant advice and suggestions on how to look the part - MNers (especially S&Bers) rule!

Congratulations! That is great news. And I am now going to buy those Hotter shoes :)

Another big 4 person here - agree - dress and jacket is the way to go, plainish with a statement necklace would be my preference. Jaeger Outlet has some nice plain dresses at the moment, worth a look?

eg www.jaegeroutlet.com/Grosgrain-Detail-V-Neck-Dress/635901Z,default,pd.html?dwvar_635901Z_color=75000&dwvar_635901Z_size=6&start=55&cgid=women-dresses-outlet&prefn1=size&prefv1=8

or (I have this and it's nice)

www.jaegeroutlet.com/Sleeveless-Shift-Dress/630144N,default,pd.html?dwvar_630144N_color=75600&dwvar_630144N_size=8&start=126&cgid=women-dresses-outlet&prefn1=size&prefv1=8

For heels, I would say nothing too vertiginous - make sure you're comfortable as you may well be spending time on your feet if there's any sort of presentation exercise. And for clothes, make sure you feel comfortable - it's very obvious when you're interviewing, if someone is squeezed into something that's too tight, or can't really move their arms.

Good luck!

I used to work in Big 4 and found there was a reasonable spectrum of what you could actually wear to work. Obviously for an interview you would go on the smarter end. How I long for Big 4 days! Great staff benefits and hard work but not excessively so. Good luck!

Sorry, should've read the thread - congratulations!

Brilliant news, congratulations

Ah great thread and even better update!

This has right cheered me up after a shitty day, really well done OP!

Congratulations!I found your thread after I heard I've got an interview.SAHM for 6 years and all my old work stuff looks really dated. I am getting inspiration for outfits from posters here.
All the very best for your new job. Enjoy it!

Hello, just popped in to say that if your budget is tight, have a look at Mango. Similar to Zara at the moment but without the worry that any one else is wearing the same thing.

Good luck!

That's great news OP! You will see from the office that there is a wide range of dress, from super formal (very rare) to very casual. My advice is to stick to the dress and jacket look, you can't wrong. One of the most fashionable girls in my team tends to dress from Oasis and looks amazing every day. She tends to wear dresses without jackets. So don't feel the need to rush out a spend a fortune on new clothes from expensive shops.

On the job itself, don't try and fake it, nothing is ever a silly question, remember they liked you enough to hire you. Also treat the partners like normal people because we are and quite like being talked to like normal people and yes treated with respect but not feared or reverred. You're far more likely to be memorable to them and progress! Remember they could be an S&Ber like you . Good luck!