Kick ass outfit for big job interview

[FirmlyRooted]

I have interview nr 18 for a big job coming up, it is supposedly the final round with a c-suite executive. What can I wear that says I'm an exceptional professional, confident and innovative but serious enough to lead a strategic function?

I'm 38, size 12 ish, 5'6, long hair. I'm thinking it needs to be dark to signal seriousness but I also want to come across as confident and innovative. The Fold has a wrap jacket I'm eyeing up.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! And also thoughts on whether it needs to be trousers or if a skirt will work. I prefer skirts but worried about being too girly...

I think many of the dresses from The Fold would suit.

Whatever you try on, sit down in it for a few minutes to make sure it’s totally comfortable in that position and isn’t pinching anywhere.

Good luck!

The Fold kimono jacket is fabulous. The Hobbs dress, not so much. It looks a bit....cheap. Not a fan at all

Well, I might have got this wrong but I thought the point of an online forum such as Mumsnet is that you can ask advice on anything on your mind - and additionally I thought the S&B section was for discussing clothes and appearance? Not sure what's up with questioning my question. Perhaps I'm good at my job but not confident about my looks.

Thank you again for the helpful advice. Fold jacket is on order, hopefully it'll live up to expectations.

To clarify, the job I'm in the running for is not c-suite, its 2 levels below. I'm meeting c-suite members in next interview.

@swissmilk - @small2018 is spot on, it's about making sure all the stakeholders buy into and support the new hire. It's a large company so lots of stakeholders.

@firmlyrooted have been following this thread as I have a big interview coming up this month also. Big for me.

Best of luck with yours it sounds like a long process hopefully it's nearly there for you.

I haven't seen much that I like the look of on my post baby body at the moment. And the heat is throwing me off on what to wear too.

**Firmlyrooted I want to wish you all the luck in the world, and wanted to raise an eyebrow at the posters in style and beauty that are being snipey about her question. I believe that attitude is more appropriate for AIBU. Women working at Firmly's level will have to fight many battles and injustices on a minor level everyday just for being a woman, like all women. She is an ambassador for women hitting the top of their career and speaking as a woman who hasn't achieved these heights I am proud that some of the sisterhood has. Over 8 years ago I posted a question about an interview outfit and the responses I got were supportive, relevant and helped me feel confident and prepared. I went onto get the job which was a big deal for me after having a career break for 6 years. The job I got was in the charity sector and I think a lot of the reason some people are being snipey is a sense of social justice. How dare a woman earning so much want a handhold over trivial decisions. At the end of the day we are all human and let's be kind to each other.

Twobambinos good luck too!

Over many years of going for interviews I have come to the conclusion that, once you pass a moderate level of smartness, it tends to be what you say rather than how you look that matters. Black shoes, navy shoes, heels or flats, these finer details are less important than being on top of your game.

Wear something you wore for of the previous interviews, get a good night’s sleep and spend the time on rehearsing your stuff.

Well said @Goldenhedgehogs!

@MaybeDoctor spot on there - it's more about being smart and confident - no one will care that you repeated an outfit (unless you are working in the fashion industry I guess a la The Devil Wears Prada)

@FirmlyRooted good luck

My favorite quote is by Eleanor Roosevelt

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'"

Roughly translated into "you got this girl"

I'm genuinely touched by the support on here, it's amazing. I'm not from a privileged background and trying to juggle kids, husband, work, studying etc is sometimes more than I feel I can handle, and knowing that people are behind you (even if they are strangers on the internet) makes me feel like I'm not crazy for thinking I can do it.

Now, the Fold jacket arrived and here are my thoughts. It's made from a beautiful, super soft fabric, feels gorgeous on. However, the style doesn't work for me - it only looks good when closed and there are no buttons or hooks meaning the belt has to be tied pretty tight to stay in place. There are no hoops for the belt either so if you want to open the jacket you have to hold on to the belt. I have an hourglass figure so when I tie the belt there's a lot of scrunched up fabric. Still, it's a beautiful jacket and would be amazing on someone with a flatter/straighter body I think.

Absolutely loved the skirt to go with it so keeping that.

I work in a similar industry OP and this has to be the best dress I have ever bought. It is so comfy, looks amazing, never crumples even on long haul travel. You can dress it up easily with different jewellery.

I just wish they would make it in a few more colours as I would happily wear it everyday!

thefoldlondon.com/product/clifton-dress-navy-jersey/

Good luck! It’s a shame about the jacket

@FirmlyRooted sorry if I missed this but when is the interview ? Good luck for this. If you want to do some prep, happy to help you through DM

No fashion advice from me , just good luck with the interview. Please also let us know your outfit choice and the outcome .

Thank you all for the advice and support, fashion related and otherwise

I was offered the role verbally today, so it's good news. My final interview went well, it was a good, two way conversation and I felt confident and at ease.

In terms of my outfit, I wore a navy a line skirt from the fold, offwhite silk top, navy patterned jacket from Hobbs, killer heels and a bag from Aspinal. Long dangly necklace in silver. Glad I went formal as I was told I looked younger than expected!

Now I just need to negotiate salary and benefits!

Congratulations, Fimlyrooteda d thanks for the update. I have been thinking about you. Exciting times ahead

Congratulations. I wondered how you got on. The final outfit sounds great and obviously they thought so too.

Do you have a good feel for the market value of the role ? Do you feel comfortable negotiating salary ?

@LadyBrienneofTarth I do, yes, and we have already level set so they know what I'm looking for and I know what they have benchmarked the role at. Final figures, benefits, to be agreed.

Congratulations!

Awesome
Well done

Looked younger than expected?! Who on earth said that?? Sounds like a great organisation good luck OP 😬