Feeling utterly crap about myself ahead of job interview

[Backinthedress]

Been out of work for 3 months after redundancy. Been invited to interview for business support role at a high end fashion brand. Have been struggling with my mental health over the last year. Got put on new meds around when I was made redundant and they have caused me to put on a LOT of weight. I knew I had, but didn't realise how much until I tried on clothes for this interview and realised that none of my office clothes fit. I have a black trouser suit that I bought earlier this year that I can just about squeeze into, but it's tight and I hate myself. I can't buy anything new. I've been living off savings for three months and this interview doesn't guarantee a job. I just didn't realise quite how much weight I'd put on and I feel utterly utterly crap about myself. Not confident at all. I know I'm not auditioning as a model, but of all the fucking orgs to interview for when you're struggling with how you look...

Anyone got any similar experiences so I don't feel quite so shallow about this? Or a funny story to make me feel better? Or just a bit of sympathy for being middle aged and feeling frumpy and crap?

Hey OP, the interviewers won’t know that you’ve put on weight and will be far more interested in what you say than what you’re wearing. And you can’t go far wrong with a black suit. Do your interview prep and some nice make up to give you a bit more confidence and dazzle them with your knowledge and experience. Good luck!

Now … Why didn’t you put this on Style & Beauty, first of all?

Never mind. How long until your interview?

If it’s just days away - you’ll need to really think about whether the suit actually looks good on you right now. If it doesn’t, you have two options: consider whether it could be let out a little by your local alterations service, or think about what else you have in your wardrobe that might work better for the interview.

What about everything else? You’ve only been out of work for three months - but does your hair need any attention? What about shoes?

Remember, your interviewers don’t know you were planning on a black suit, or that you’re feeling down at the moment. The important thing, as far as appearance is concerned, is that you look well groomed and seasonal (and reasonably fashionable!) and keen. As the poster above says, they’ll want to hear what you have to say.

And yes - we’ve all been there. After what felt like a decade of lockdown isolation I remember it took me a good two hours of increasingly sweaty panic to find anything I could put on to leave the house - for a visit to an Apple store about my laptop …

Have a go anyway, nothing to lose, yiu will gain interview experience. You will be probably be sat behind a desk for the interview. Concentrate in getting across to them why you are suitable for the role, best of luck.

Not an interview but I once spent my first day in a new job with all the buttons of my shirt dress undone from the waist down.
Do your prep, dazzle them with your knowledge and check your bits aren't hanging out. 😜
You'll be fab 🤗

Congrats on the interview! I totally understand this feeling - been there! Just remember that you are not interviewing for the position of product buyer or fashion magazine editor - your role is business support, they just want to know that you are organised, reliable and have the skills to do that role. You need to look smart and appropriate - nothing more. As a PP said, they don't know you have put on weight.

You've got an interview for a reason, go and let them see all the reasons to hire you! If you don't get the job, it's all good experience.

Good luck!

Thank you all so much. These responses have definitely helped. Interview is day after tomorrow so not a lot of notice to prep, but I am going to see if I can get a hair cut tomorrow and can do my own nails so I feel a bit more polished. No time or money to go shopping or alter things and thankfully the weather is helping me out by not being too hot!

At least I won't be able to flash my foof in a trouser suit - thanks for that mental image/chuckle. And thankfully I have a decent collection of really nice heels and my feet are still the same size. I'd love to wear my slightly more individual snakeskin heels but sadly the black ones just look better with the length of trouser.

If I feel brave enough to post a photo of myself tomorrow I will. Once I've decided on a suitable top!

Firstly, well done on the interview!

Secondly, mental health impacts your weight and it's nothing to be ashamed of. Be kind to yourself. These people don't know you.

I find people are more informal than ever in the office so if you don't feel comfortable in the suit, do you have anything else suitable?

@Backinthedress good luck today! You'll smash it 🤗

Good luck - deep breath, shoulders back and hold your head high ☺️

Thanks guys. Really appreciate it. Had a sobering moment this morning when tweenage DD told me she feels chubby and it makes her feel bad and she feels like she doesn't fit in. Made me consider my reaction to having put on weight and how she must have perceived it. Put it in perspective a bit.

Anyway. Interview went well. Went on for over an hour longer than planned and they gave me the impression it would be positive news and they'd let me know today so fingers tightly crossed!

And if I get the job I'll happily respond to any PMs asking me who it was with but don't want to shout about it on here because it would make it way too easy to out me.

Let us know what they say. Keeping everything crossed!

Got an offer!

That's great news op! X

Excellent. That was great news.

Well done! You should be so proud of yourself!
It's daunting going for interviews, never mind after redundancy and feeling a bit crap
Make sure you talk to your daughter about how good you feel and how proud of yourself you are

Brilliant news.

Congratulations!

I will, but she's beyond excited for me as she's a big fan of the organisation! She's already asking about work experience 😆

Fabulous, well done!!!

Absolutely brilliant - congratulations

@Backinthedress WOOHOOOOO!!!!!
Now you get to show your DC how to ba a boss.
Fantastically well done!!!!!! 🤗

Amazing! Congratulations!

Started reading this thread as I’ve been there interviewing when I felt rubbish about myself and my weight. So delighted to see your update OP