Interview outfit ideas for a senior NHS role after having a baby

[polka72]

Interviewing for a senior position in the NHS but recently postpartum and nothing I own fits.. last time I did an interview was pre-pandemic!

I'm probably a size 10 maybe even 12 now (previously 8 but also pretty short so was in proportion) now carrying extra weight around the middle and will likely need "shapewear" to wear underneath.

Would ideally like to wear a dress and a blazer but can't seem to find much of this anywhere these days?! I'm mid 30s so don't want anything too dated. A friend of mine said trouser suits are much more popular now rather than dresses/skirts.. is this true? I'm not keen on skirts but could work with high-waisted trouser suit. For shoes, thinking flat black ballet pumps/loafers (can't wear heels are a knee injury).

Very grateful for some suggestions! Thank you :)

How much do you want to spend?

And when is the interview? It’s tricky doing smart if it’s high summer/scheduled to be 30 degrees!

You could get a short sleeved work dress and add a jacket/blazer. Thats what I did in summer. Also had a navy smart sleeveless pleated skirt dress from premium range at H&M.

Tricky to decide a budget- normally do a clinical role and won't get much if any use out of the suit again (unlike men who could possibly re-wear to a wedding etc!) So don't want to spend too much but equally appreciate suits are expensive so open to a range for the budget. Last suit I owned was (bought years ago) was from Next, cant see much tailoring their website now though. Having been eyeing up a couple of dresses from Hobbs but that plus a blazer is adding up (still open to this, but probably upper limit of budget)

Next month. British weather is so tricky to plan for!

https://www.boden.com/products/women-delilah-twist-short-dress-navy-d1610nav?variant=42995309150417&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pmax&tc_me=cr&tc_campid=21221764987&tc_adgroupid=&tc_targetid=&tc_locphys=9045877&tc_matchid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21218304686&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jnWDGUQcMwDXwy8z7HMm9_Kx8kwLKw9PsZm2s3Y_uYtCnWRXVqny4MaAtk-EALw_wcB

When I interviewed for a similarly senior nhs role I wore a dress and leather style biker jacket (both in grey). Sounds a bit drab but looked great and I got the job. Good luck with the interview and remember to ask for the questions in advance. It’s best practice that they offer you these (this was for an 8b role)

And look on Vinted. Boden offers great value for money. A dress is probably easier do you’re not having to try and mix and match

I wore a shirt style midi dress and ballet flats in the same position (post partum- was on mat leave and senior NHS role in new trust ) I don't know that it needs to be super formal in terms of needing a jacket but depends on quite how senior it is. Mine ended up being during a heatwave so a jacket but wasn't really an option! Good luck 😊

bargain but only available in a 12, depends if you’ll wear it again if so get Hobbs or similar:-

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-taylor-ponte-short-sleeve-dress/black/p110829199?size=12&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20158969600&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1zqdqWPcx7UprYO8xsl7MgNO&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jl8OFVt5UWFW8S2K27Auf4roRjmIrVJj0pt9bbOuHuXgmPdx7pdMbsaAjukEALw_wcB

Jacket not essential but can smarten things. I’ve got decent not expensive jackets in H&M workwear section.

Interviewed for a Band 9 position not too long ago. Wore navy Boden trouser suit and white shirt. Very corporate senior NHS. The Chief Nurse interviewing me wore exactly the same! I didn't get the job but I doubt it was to do with my outfit 😄

Sorry you didn’t get the job. NHS recruitment is so tricky at the moment.

Something like this? You wouldn’t really need a jacket, though you could carry one over your arm for emotional support …

https://www.arket.com/en-gb/product/linen-lyocell-dress-dark-blue-1242307001/

I think this would suit, especially as it would be good for disguising a mum tum, it's something I would go for an interview in.
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-brigitta-shirt-dress-midnight-navy/p114904790

That really is old fashioned …

This would look more up to date:

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/longdresses/product/voluminous-maxi-shirt-dress-navy-1294455001

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone.

I quite like this dress, I think it would be appropriate? The matching blazer despite being on sale is £129 though which I'm not keen to spend.. could I pair it with a different plain black one? Or if anyones got other dress suit suggestions I'm all ears :)

https://www.hobbs.com/product/esme-match-black-dress/0126-5331-9845L00-BLACK-WHITE.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand_Control&utm_id=23803862579&utm_content=agid_193828797577-ad_807199103723&network=g&device=c&targetid=pla-293946777986&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23803862579&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-KvLyxgT5sknc382Ft0uWXyp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_7PRBhDcARIsAMjV7jmzS7TCOKZjk8U1Rfd6MvBfjmqHR4G7AWiGLEkozuxCpqGTRbS9YmwaAqa9EALw_wcB

I wonder if you have a link to this suit please?
Sorry you didn't get the position

Not everyone suits Cos or Arket.

The only thing about that dress is I don’t like the top half. I’d just go for a plain dress and maybe ruched/tied at side. Spanx to hold you in. I had a nice Mango suit one years ago which was sort of origami at the shoulders/sleeves and an Asos obi tie dress in teal/petrol blue, both knee length. Both sleeveless. I had Hobbs dresses too like the ones on their website. I think knee length would be better than midi on you as you’re petite. Midi might swamp you. There’s a nice Boden dress in a bright green on their website if you want something less formal.

Boden dress. You can wear this out of work. You have to love green though, I do. I think it also shows a bit of character. Just add a black/navy blazer. Honestly a cheaper blazer looks fine. I used to have a Next blazer from their workwear range in navy I wore for top city law firm jobs as legal EA/PA. Over a navy work dress. Navy less severe than black. Black is fine though.

Look at this product that I found on google.com
https://share.google/0ESlA5Wiv1ppNlZL4

This dress apparently comes up small so a 12 would fit you.

I’d have to see it on someone as shown as it is it’s not flattering, at least not to me. I’m not really an Arket girl though I do have some pieces from them.

I agree, I think Next have cut down their workwear range, pity as it was good quality and good value.

Thank you. I'm just not sure these are smart enough. I also quite like this: https://www.boden.com/products/women-evita-cotton-shift-dress-navy-d1367nvy

..but again don't think its smart enough! I think I should be looking at a proper tailored suit, maybe a navy trouser suit with trousers, jacket and a nice cream blouse or a dress suit (are these dated now? if not suggestions please? Can the navy Boden one above work with a blazer..?) I don't think a skirt suit is for me/

Next still do suit jackets but their own brand work dresses are dire:-

https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-productaffiliation-clothing/brand-next-use-workwear

That dress is fine. Not my style but definitely interview wear. Would you wear this in the job?