Job interview outfit help please!

[DrMaryMalone]

I've been with my current company for 7 years and since its partly outdoors in a traditionally male sector my work wardrobe is jeggings, t shirts, fleeces and wellies! I've been invited to a remote interview for a SEO level position in the civil service including a presentation I will probably have to stand up for and I have no idea what to wear to make a good impression! Ideally I don't want to be buying a whole new outfit, just either top or bottom (I struggle with dresses as I'm pear shaped) but I'm worried a suit will be expected. Can anyone out there suggest any pieces to go with some of my existing smart clothes that might fit the bill please? I've got:

A black below the knee stretch pencil skirt
A dark green cord midi skirt with paper bag waist
A pair of brown wool mix wide leg trousers
A good quality white cotton shirt
A 3/4 sleeve stretchy gray wrap top
A black long sleeve top with victorian style lace collar

I suit warm colours better and don't want to go all black. Help much appreciated!

I reckon I'd go with a blazer, and put it with the wide-legged trousers or the pencil skirt, plus the white shirt if that works.

I don't wear blazers often, but I believe you need a few in your wardrobe for formal/work situations. I had to do three rounds of interviews for a job recently and was grateful I had enough blazers to wear a different one each time.

It would be acceptable to call ahead and speak to the HR department @DrMaryMalone that way you know exactly what is expected and not have to guess. It will take some of the nerves away as well. It may also go down well as it shows forward thinking and consideration for your new employer. Once you know the expected dress code then you can plan accurately and spend more time thinking about what you will say. I hope it goes well for you, Best Wishes

There is no "HR Department " in the Civil Service, its all done through Shared Services. SEO is middle manager level, so they won't be expecting you to wear a suit.

Personally I would go with the wide leg trousers and the nice white shirt, perhaps with a silk scarf or something.

Interesting @funnylittlefloozie, thank you. Perhaps the person inviting Mary can give some guidance 🙂

From your current collection I would choose the brown wide leg trousers with the gray wrap top. If you wanted to purchase something you could maybe buy yourself a nice silk top in a warm colour like burgundy or dark orange. Another interview standard of mine is a simple sheath dress in bright colour with a gray wool blazer. If you're going to buy a suit make sure it's all the same material Ie) don't buy a wool black blazer and put it with your black stretchy pencil skirt.

But the suggestion to ask what's expected from the individual who invited you is a really good one! Going into an interview, especially one that might have a presentation, the last thing you want to be worried about is clothes.

Tbh, if I was interviewing and someone emailed me asking what to wear, I would worry that they were going to need their hands holding for every minor detail in the job. It wouldn't create a great first impression.

It's an interview, smart is fine. I usually go as smart as possible for the interview, you aren't going to create a bad impression by being too smart, but might by being too casual.

I'd start smart, you could always remove blazer after a few minutes.

I'd wear a Jersey top and cropped blazer with those wide leg trousers. I'm surprised it's not online- in that case I'd do dewy makeup x

You says it’s remote - presumably on Teams? In which case i wouldn’t think you’d stand up to present; I’ve done a couple of lockdown interviews and never stood. I give presentation at work reasonably regularly and also never stood up to do them if they’re remote.

Agree with a PP - I’d think it weird if someone emailed to ask what to wear! (And I’m a civil servant and have recruited many SEOs over the years!)

To answer your question, yes I’d go shirt and blazer, bottom half doesn’t matter if you’re doing it on Teams. Better to go slightly too smart than the other way round!

Ok it is remote.

I think bottom half does matter, it’s about getting in the right head space, so if it was me I would be suited and booted even for a phone interview.

I think the wrap top and wide trousers sounds fine, carefully chosen jewellery and makeup.

I would also think about if you do want to stand, I am much better standing up, but you will have to think about adjusting the camera so it can see you properly stood and sat.

Good luck!

I wouldn't ask what to wear either. I start a new job in a couple of weeks, no dress code communicated. No way in hell am I messaging to ask; it'll only suggest that I might turn up in jeans and flip flops if not otherwise instructed. Bad impression to give.

If you're going to be sitting down, a cropped blazer, as mentioned by a pp, is a good idea. It should mean the tailoring stays with nice clean lines rather than bunching.