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Original poster

Urgent interview for teaching job

52 replies

mrsflux · 06/05/2010 21:50

Help!!

I have a interview at a lovely school for an ideal job and need to make a good impression.

I have nothing to wear though! [panic face]

it's been 5 years and 1 ds since my last one so old outfit has long since gone to charity shop.
I don't do suits. I'm usually smart casual a school.

The job is with y3 class so I need to look warm and caring aswell as professional

OP posts:
jamaisjedors · 07/05/2010 18:11

Re what your friends say - maybe for everyday that is right but not for an interview!

MarthaFarquhar · 07/05/2010 18:15

I agree with those who've said that it doesn't matter what you'd wear doing the job - wear a suit or equivalent (eg shift dress and tailored jacket) for the interview.

That's what would be expected in my profession, and I'm in a real jeans-trainers-piercings ahoy job.

KristinaM · 07/05/2010 19:42

that is the type of thing that the young classroom assistants /students wear at my children very casual, non posh primary school

not what i would expect an professional woman to wear for a job interview

sorry but you did ask............

Original poster
mrsflux · 07/05/2010 19:50

I've been teaching since September after having ds- just not happy with current school.

The dress looks better on than in pic but I really won't be wearing a suit! I don't have the £££ or the time to get one that fits properly.
I did try on several shift dresses but besides the fact that I felt like I was wearing my mums stuff, they were all too big in the bust or too small in the hips.

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsflux · 07/05/2010 19:56

Ps interesting that there's way more criticism than anything constructive at the mo.
Will re assess wardrobe in morning.

OP posts:
MarthaFarquhar · 07/05/2010 19:58

Constructive?
ok - are you buying new? what budget? what pieces have you got already?

janeite · 07/05/2010 20:00

Sorry but I agree that the dress is not formal enough for an interview. I think people are trying to be constructive rather than merely critical though.

MarthaFarquhar · 07/05/2010 20:02

body shape? sounds perhaps like pear if it hard to get a shift dress to fit (I have the same problem).

In which case you would look ACE in a suit with a nipped in waist. M&S have loads at reasonable prices, and then you can get a more "you" top and some killer shoes to liven it up a bit.

tethersendisnigh · 07/05/2010 20:05

What about something like this with a smart jacket?

tethersendisnigh · 07/05/2010 20:08

Or this

traceybath · 07/05/2010 20:13

Something like this

So a smart dress but one thats on trend too.

traceybath · 07/05/2010 20:14

Or this?

pointydog · 07/05/2010 20:17

I think there were quite a lot of contructive replies. Janeite, pink, tethers, ducky, bean and me all posted links to specific outfits or suggested a particular style.

People are just expressing their opinion about interview in general after your comments on shifts etc, not trying to be personal

pointydog · 07/05/2010 20:18

interview gear, I meant

duckyfuzz · 07/05/2010 20:32

I am regularly on interview panels and would always expect smart professional dress, suit or equivalent e.g. dress/jacket as suggested, if you don't want advice don't ask for it

tethersendisnigh · 07/05/2010 20:41

I love that Mango one, traceybath

jamaisjedors · 07/05/2010 21:38

Sorry if I misunderstood your situation, you are already back at work.

But why ask for advice if you are going to ignore it?

Not one person has agreed with your choice of outfit.

Can you not wear a smart skirt and blouse if you really won't consider a dress?

Obviously you wouldn't wear a smart skirt to work with young children, totally impractical, but if you got separates you might wear them again?

Or well-cut trousers with a belt and a silky top?

SeasideLil · 07/05/2010 22:08

I would absolutely look as smart as possible, even in my (similar to teaching) work environment, where people wear jeans and more casual clothes, everyone turns up for interviews in suits or smart outfits. Slightly more casual outfits would be noticed but wouldn't go against you if you were by far the best candidate, equally a suit won't get you the job. If you wore black tights plus a jacket on top, the dress might just about be ok, otherwise it's too trendy and 'sweet' for your purposes, especially with those shoes. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear, I do think it depends what you put with it and hairstyle as well, if that's all very smart then it might be ok. Good luck with interview whatever you wear!

janeite · 08/05/2010 16:01

I saw the dress irl today and I'm sorry but I really don't think it's okay for an interview - it seems v short and v thin.

Pinkflipflop · 08/05/2010 18:20

I like the dress the OP posted the link to but I would not not not wear it to an interview. As stated I am also already teaching and in the job I am being interviewed for and I feel the fact the panel already know me is all the reason to GO FOR IT in terms of professional dress!

Don't wear leggings to a professional job interview - EVER!!!

rimmer08 · 09/05/2010 09:29

i am a teacher and would never wear a dress to a job interview- suits all the way. but i am secondary so maybe its different

jamaisjedors · 18/05/2010 19:50

So... what did you wear and did you get the job?

MmeTrueBlueberry · 18/05/2010 19:52

A suit.

Original poster
mrsflux · 18/05/2010 20:54

I wore what I had planned. Well I did spend most of the day with the cardi off as it was too hot.
Anyhow I didn't get the job - they gave it to internal candidate. so was a waste of a day!
I did get feedback and they said I was v professional so the outfit was obviously not too casual for them.

OP posts:
tethersend · 18/05/2010 20:59

Aw, it's such a pain in the arse when you see an internal candidate, isn't it? You feel like walking out there and then...

Best of luck in future interviews, whatever you wear