What to wear for NHS 8b interview?

[WhatToWearFor8b]

I've got an interview for an 8b post (starting salary a bit over £50k). It's quite a technical role rather than patient facing or management. Day to day clothes would be something like what you might expect of a teacher - smartish, no jeans, but comfortable.

I don't generally buy new clothes - I'm a charity shop shopper. I'm also really pear shaped, so fitted dresses don't fit bust and thighs.

I need to buy a suit, don't I? I own a beige linen jacket with a bit of floral embroidery, which I have previously worn to an interview with black pencil skirt and black shirt. But that's not an 8b look, is it?

Assuming I do need a suit... Where on the high street should I go for something that won't break the bank that'll likely be worn very very rarely?

You could wear a smart, office type dress and jacket rather than a suit. You might get more wear out of it outside of interviews.

I am not sure you really need a suit. I went to an 8C interview in a dress with a jacket. (Got the job, turned it down!) Do you suit shift type dresses?
If you prefer trousers,I would go for a pair of fine checked trousers with plain jacket and your black blouse or coloured top if you go for a black jacket.
You might find something in a charity shop or second hand clothes dealer.The only thing I would say is buy decent fabric.

I went for a band 7 NHS interview, part clinical part management but non uniform in clinical. I wore a fitted black dress and jacket that I have worn before for interviews and a funeral...

I wouldnt buy a suit. What's the budget. I'd go for a comfy dress and jacket.

I was interviewed (and got) an 8b job a few months ago. I'm not clinical or management. I wore a dress and jacket. I don't like suits and they don't look right on me. The dress wasn't fitted, but it was smart. I'm quite busty so didn't do the jacket up.

I tried to look like I had made an effort.

Good luck with the interview

here?

I'm something like 28D bust and size 18 trousers (but I struggle to find trousers with a small enough waist so generally don't). I live in A line skirts, both in and out of work, and usually buy 12. I have never found anything but the floatiest of unfitted dresses to fit.

I've got flabby arms that I'd rather not flap around while I'm doing my presentation, but that I'm not hugely self conscious of. I am very self conscious of my thighs, and won't wear anything that feels like you can see above my knees.

Budget is limited by value for money rather than a fixed number. I'm short on shopping time though.

Neither my black pencil skirt nor the shirt fit - the only thing I own that currently fits and is even vaguely appropriate / not getting threadbare is my linen jacket (it was a bit loose when I wore it with the black stuff). So I need to buy skirt and top at the very least.

Emma yes, that's exactly the look I'm going for - has made a bit of effort. Not memorable for my style or lack of.

Sleepy without actually trying it on, I'm guessing that any size that isn't tight round my thighs (and upper arms to a lesser extent) is going to gape horribly at the bust.

Am buoyed by the fact that you're all saying I don't necessarily need a suit, though. I'll get wear out of a skirt and top/shirt that I wouldn't out of a suit, so am prepared to pay more.

It's cheeky but this sounds like a wear a fancy outfit with labels on and return after job?

Get looking on next. Order different stuff and get next day delivery. Try stuff on and take back what you don't need before the bill comes through.

Can't believe someone has suggested keeping labels on and returning. Would that poster like buying a pricey outfit someone has worn for a day? Skanky behaviour.

Is Next the place? I'd normally do Debenhams (but that's mainly because there's a massive Debenhams and a tiny Next here). Don't mind sticking lots on my credit card and then returning - I've got the credit to do so.

Yes, the shop Next. If you open an account with them you dont pay until they send the bill a few weeks later. Or use your credit card. Delivery is very fast.

They'll have more online compared to stock in the shop.

Sorry, I meant do you think Next is the place where I'm most likely to find something suitable?

I'm not fussed about racking up a massive temporary credit card debt, and I've got three weeks (but only a few hours free time during shop opening hours).

Hmm...I have an 8B interview in 3 weeks and am wondering if you're one of my competition

I always wear a suit jacket with something. This time I'm going to be 8 months pregnant, so going for a suit jacket and tent combo.

You can get some nice A-line office wear dresses. Next and H&M are places I've bought them from in the past. If it's got some kind of sleeve then you don't need to worry about a jacket, but if not you could get away with a well-fitted in good condition cardi (so not like any of the ones I wear to work...).

do you like this sort of look
www.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/dresses-265974/view-all-dresses-4717020/monochrome-checked-jacquard-shift-dress-9078428

www.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/dresses-265974/work-dresses-3541017/navy-blue-polka-dot-dress-8976379

What about a wrap dress? Super comfy, will flatter your waist and over up all other bits. You don't need a jacket (I'm an 8b)

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/aurora-midi-wrap-dress-navy/sty-w0319-nav?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgbqwltS15QIVi8reCh1rXw1kEAQYASABEgLNLPDBwE&istCompanyId=a40e1fa1-0635-4a1b-8d9a-2caa763eeee2&istFeedId=d17fdb3c-433f-4293-b151-3088aa7d11be&istItemId=wmwlmtrpt&istBid=t&effid=EAIaIQobChMIgbqwltS15QIVi8reCh1rXw1kEAQYASABEgLNLPDBwE:G:s&sskwcid=AL!8125!3!352908383663!!!g!531502598310!&cmmmc=PLAAGoogleKelkooCSS198698831313--68580017982---40122474

Spam Haha!

This would fit me but I think it's too floaty and shiny for the impression I'm looking for.

Happy I like the look but the first one is too short (I'll be worrying about my thighs) and again, it'll gape at the bust I reckon. The second one I'd guess the arms would be too tight, but it'd be worth trying on.

the first one also comes in Tall which might fit better

Oh sorry, yes I think Next has quite a good range of “safe” interview type stuff. Will have plenty of skirts, shirts, jackets.

Matalan have some workwear suits bits too. Might be cheaper than Next.