Interview at an accountancy practice

[Springler]

Have just started a thread in chat about this but not had any replies and could do with specific clothing advice. I’m almost 30 and have never had a job before I am utterly clueless. I am a part qualified accountant so will be going for jobs in accountancy practices. I assume it will be pretty formal but have no idea what that translates to in clothing. I haven’t even applied for any jobs yet (and don’t have a cv) but I have nothing suitable and don’t want to be invited to an interview and have a sudden panic over clothes. Or maybe I am just procrastinating because this bit it less scary

I’m a size 10, sometimes 12. I have been looking at things like tailored, slim trousers and a matching jacket. Is that too much or not enough? With a white blouse underneath, or should I actually wear a buttoned up shirt? Is ankle grazing ok or not smart enough? And should I wear heels??

I’ve only recently started wearing makeup during daytime as I’m feeling a bit older and greyer, so it’s a cc cream, concealer, mascara, blusher and mascara. And maybe some colour on my lips as I’m looking a bit washed out when I’m wearing that without lip colour at the moment. Does that seem appropriate?

definitely a suit of some description. ankle gazers fine. Doesn’t have to be a button shirt. Heels totally up to you, same with make up!

Accountant here.

Oh and good luck! Just be yourself. We’re nice people you know.

Gosh, I feel like a scared little girl. I’m not sure I’ll even get an interview. My cv is going to be a big empty sheet of paper. I need to look very confident and professional to trick myself into feeling that way. I wear pyjamas most of the time and only took up regular hair brushing a year ago I’ve been a stay at home parent since the age of nineteen and I know this is going to be a very big adjustment? What do you/other women in your office typically wear?

What should I do with my hair? It is pretty long, below bra level and looks tangled very easily. But I’m also crap at putting it up because there is so much of it.

Should I also have a smart coat and bag? I only wear casual things at the moment.

I watched a YouTube video where someone demonstrated their professional outfit consisting of: a pair of black trousers, a pair of grey trousers, a black skirt, a white sleeveless blouse or top, a light blue classic blouse, a pink thin sweater of good quality, and a black jacket. Black shoes. Combinations are endless. Can't find the video now, it was made by a medical student on a budget.

Go for a black bag. The coat will be left in the wardrobe, so that's less of a problem.

Sorry to bombard you with questions, but should I be looking at more expensive brands or are cheap things from ASOS going to be ok as long as they fit properly?

A structured, classic looking bag? I will have a look for YouTube videos, I hadn’t thought of that. I went on Pinterest and most of the outfits I saw looked like something I’d wear on a night out rather than to work.

I work at a big big accountancy firm and am an interviewer.

What you suggest sounds totally fine. I expect smart as in neat and well turned out but certainly wouldn't even notice heels vs non heels or shirt vs blouse. So smart but comfortable and confident.

Honestly, don't buy something you wouldn't then go on to use. ASOS is fine!

Honestly, my boss (exec director level at a big 4) wears primark and uniqlo all the time.

Ha! Here is the video now! Thanks, YouTube search function!

Phyllis, thanks for that, that’s eased my mind. I will not be applying for jobs at large, prestigious firms so definitely won’t need anything too expensive. Whatever I wear to the interview will also become a work outfit. Is that how it usually works? I wouldn’t have thought that I would be expected to wear smarter clothes for an interview than in the actual job. Thanks for the video, hevonbu! I’ll take a look and start filling my virtual basket.

I left a reply regarding clothes on your other thread.

In my firm it's useful to have a 'smart' outfit for big meetings/pitches etc but generally it's very much smart casual so lots of trousers and tops, jersey dresses etc.

Where I am people wear "casual Friday" usually, but if something comes up they swing into action, and like Clark Kent step into the loo (we don't have phone booths...) and step out again wearing a full business attire.

I interview for the big firms and I’ve seen it all so I wouldn’t worry too much. What you are suggesting sounds fine.

My advice is similar to the above. Smart, tailoring is fine but so is a dress these days. If budget is limited then well fitting trousers and a smart top are fine. I would avoid the white shirt (looks like a waitress with black trousers). Don’t wear anything you’re uncomfortable in - eg don’t wear a scarf for colour if you would never wear a scarf normally or high heels if they’re not your thing.

You should look like you have taken care with your appearance: brushed, neat hair; neat nails; well applied and not overly obvious make up, ironed clothes; no underwear showing; no bare legs; hemlines no shorter than just above the knee.

Nobody will look at the labels of your clothes so they won’t know where they come from. I remember the candidates who were dressed inappropriately because they look visibly uncomfortable and that translates into their performance... and they spend a lot of time pulling down hemlines/pulling at ill fitting tops!

Good luck :)

I used to do trainee interviews at a big 4 firm and we would never mark anyone down for not looking smart enough.

However I think for confidence in an interview it is always better to look too smart than too casual. I also find putting on work clothes a good way of switching from mum mode to work mode and helps my confidence - but that might just be me.

A suit is an easy way to look smart. Then if you get the job and the office is more casual you can just wear the trousers/skirt with a top and only use the jacket for meetings with clients.

You don’t need an expensive handbag - just something professional looking that you’re not going to feel self conscious about.

Good luck!

Would say a suit. Only wear heels if they are comfortable otherwise you walk into an interview hobbling or trip up which knocks your confidence.

A nice blouse is good. Natural make up. Minimal jewellery.

Last interview I went to I wore a black dress that sat just below the knee, comfortable heels and a suit type jacket. I did have bare legs though because tights tend to look dark on my milk bottles and I always end up either constantly pulling them up or laddering them.

And yes I did wear smarter clothes than I do in my current role. But my normal clothes for work are dark jeans trainers and a top.

We would never mark down a candidate for what they were wearing either when it was trainees in big firms, but that’s not been my experience of smaller firms (or law firms!) who tend to be a bit more interested in seeing the finished article at interview. The bigger accountancy firms tend to have more focus on social mobility and that means disregarding visual appearance entirely but they can do that with their volumes.

I can remember a colleague (not an interviewer) mentioning one of my candidates had a skirt that was split to the crotch and you could see her pants. I genuinely hadn’t noticed until he said because she was so confident and relaxed. I do notice those who fiddle nervously with their clothes or hair and they tend not to perform so well due to not feeling confident.