Job interview help required!

[Moaningturtle1]

I have a job interview on Friday this week and am completely blank on what to wear!

Its a pastoral position (non teaching) in a boarding school, it seems fairly relaxed as a school and prides itself on being homely.

I haven’t needed interview clothes for 8 years when I was 1 child and 2 dress sizes lighter! My current work clothes are super casual. I’m a size 14 and 5’8” if that helps?!

I only have today and only have standard high street shops. Next, M&S, John Lewis, H&M etc. I can’t order online as there’s no one home all week to take deliveries.

Also I don’t have much money, under £100 for everything including shoes - I do have black ballet pumps already if they are acceptable?

M&S had some really nice culottes in when I was in recently. I think go for a pair of those with a simple shirt or blouse and your black ballet pumps. H&M have a really good range of earrings if you wanted to jazz things up a bit

Thank you! I’ll make a note of those to try.

Its all come very out of the blue and I’ve have only a few days notice. I feel so underprepared and out of my depth.

Next deliver to store if you order online and they have some nice dresses, including some linen blend shirt dresses which might work.good luck!

Do you have any semi-nice dresses that can be made to look smarter with a nice jacket? New Look has some good blazers in a variety of colours, depending on any dresses in your existing wardrobe.

Otherwise, a decent pair of black trousers with a nice top - easily available at Next/M&S in your size - always works well.

Key is to make sure your hair looks well cared for, tidy nails etc. If you wear make up, keep it light and fresh. Some interesting jewellery can be good but do what feels comfortable.

Also, in our area, charity shops tend to have a lot of clothes in size 12-14. I'm not sure if that's the case where you are. But if you don't want to spend any real money, pop in and see if there are any nice blouses/tops or even a jacket that could work.

Second the wide leg smart trouser/culottes with your ballet flats and then a nice blouse.

As long as you keep it simple and nothing outlandish anything you pick will be fine.
Do you have any charity shops near you ?

First impressions count , but they are employing you , not your clothes ( I wish I could send my uniform into work instead of me going lol )

A light / plain coloured blouse , black trousers/ skirt and you pumps will be fine.

Go easy on the perfume / body spray , I was doing some interviewing a few weeks ago , by the end of the day the room I was using smelt like a boots perfume counter !

This is the only dress non-holiday/beachy dress I have. With a blazer would it work?

Also I have this trench coat, would it be ok over the trouser/skirt and blouse combo?

With a blazer the free would work.

I would borrow a really fresh looking dress or blouse and trousers and spend your money on the best pair of shoes you can manage.

Add good grooming (gel nails not necessary!), no garish colours or too much artificiality. Avoid flashy jewellery. Basically aim to look like a calm, responsible and approachable adult who might inspire confidence in children - but also be able to speak with authority to parents. (Hence the good shoes. I wouldn’t wear ballet flats for this.)

Could you give me some shoe ideas? I have very wide size 8 feet and can’t walk in heels. I’ve always struggled with smart shoes. Loafers look like boats on me. I’m fine with boots in the winter, but summer shoes have always been a pain. I live in Birkenstock’s and Chelsea boots normally!

No … Your dress is wrong. And the coat is irrelevant - you’ll presumably be interviewed indoors?

A plain, fresh top - white or a flattering summer colour. (Or black if you wear black well.)

If there really is no one you could borrow from then a cheap supermarket linen blouse would be better than the dress.

I don’t have any friends or family my size unfortunately.

I’ll look for wide black trousers/culottes and a white/light blouse.

Smart black trousers.
Plain black t-shirt top
Colourful blazer
Your pumps
Simple necklace

Sorry, crossed you OP.

Is this a prep or senior school? Your interviewers will be considering the impression you might make on parents - how do you want to come across?

Some people can look smart in Chelsea boots - are yours still well shaped, polished, and with new heels and soles? If not, probably better avoided.

You absolutely don’t need high heels but, in this instance shoes are an important detail. I’m half a size smaller in shoes and don’t find it difficult to buy ‘smart’ footwear, but I know a size 8 might be less available. Loafers probably would be best. Court shoes would look ridiculously dated and ballet flats tend to look cheap.

It’s pre-prep to sixth form but I’m interviewing for a role with seniors.

It’s not a city office! The school is the pupils’ home from home - cheap black trousers are not the best choice. Navy, camel, khaki are the colours to look for - in good natural fabrics.

Ideally you need a pre-worn or charity shop that stocks a lot of Margaret Howell - that’s the sort of look you want.

Ah, that’s great, thanks for clarifying the age range, OP.

So, your Chelsea boots???

The Chelsea boots are tan Clark’s and probably need to be re-soled to be honest. I’ll see what loafers I can find and have a look in the charity shops. John Lewis has a sale on some of the higher end brands so I’ll check in there too. Argh this is so stressful. It doesn’t help that the job is literally my dream job with dream hours. I don’t want to fuck it up and I really want to feel and look confident and capable.

Breathe …

Most pastoral staff in the boarding schools I know are lovely. Their day to day wear, if female, is likely to be a dress and smart cardigan, natural hair and make up, and a general air of friendly, energetic capability. Another reason for good shoes is they spend a lot of time showing parents and children around extensive school grounds.

Here’s the Margaret Howell website.

www.margarethowell.co.uk

I know you can’t afford to shop here (yet) but this really is the ideal look for your prospective job, so take note before you go shopping. John Lewis should be able to offer similar shapes and colours at more approachable prices - particularly in the sales.

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice. I’ve spent 10 years working in jeans and t-shirts!

Oh there’s TK Max too, I’ll have a look in there as well.

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Pink-Wide-Leg-Trousers/140329941-Pink
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Apple-Green-Linen-Rich-Shell-Top/140593282-Green?searchTerm=:newArrivals:type:Shell%20Tops&searchProduct= But would be better in cream.
or
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/White-Floral-Embroidery-Shirt/139703261-White?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=
And maybe something like this over the top
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Khaki-Tie-Waist-Coord-Blazer-/140326715-Khaki?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

I think navy trousers with a good quality shirt and your tan Chelsea boots once they have a polish would be absolutely fine. Perhaps with a blazer if you can find one that works for you in budget. It’s also might be what you wear to school once you get the job, so you’ll be buying things to rewear. (My partner is a teacher.)

You’ll presumably be sitting down for the majority of your chat so I would prioritise the fit of shirt and trousers, and buying good quality (natural) materials.

I’m not sure these all go together but you might have a shirt or trousers perhaps that work a couple of these items. Have chosen M&S for ease given your time constraints and budget and also because quality is a bit better than elsewhere for a similar price. I have bought a few things from M&S this season which have surprised me.

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-tapered-chinos/p/clp60534660

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-regular-fit-frill-detail-shirt/p/clp60540148?color=NAVY&prevPage=srp

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-slim-single-breasted-blazer-jacket/p/clp60526301?color=NAVY&prevPage=srp

www.marksandspencer.com/silk-blend-collared-long-sleeve-shirt/p/clp60543493

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-blend-slim-fit-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60528017?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-slim-single-breasted-blazer/p/clp60539326?color=NAVY&prevPage=srp