Interview next week.

[jojomom]

I have an interview next week and I don't know what to wear. I am a tall/larger lady and suit jackets have never fitted correctly or looked smart on me. They are always too short and due to large boobs make me look even bigger. I intend to wear nice pair of black trousers, black/grey/white printed blouse, court shoes and I have a smart coat. Should I rethink outfit as I'm worried it's not professional enough. Job is in financial administration.

Don't worry as long as you look really smart, women can get away with not wearing a suit. I'm a recruitment consultant for the Property Industry (private sector) which is very suit based and most women don't wear a suit for interview.

p.s. as in very suit based, meaning all the men wear suits but not really the women

I work in HR and have interviewed on many an occasion. What you are proposing to wear sounds just great for a professional organisation - just look smart. And enjoy yourself - don't worry! As Beans said, very few women wear suits nowadays - not like in 80s.

I'm showing my age then! I'm currently working and have been here for 10 years. Have felt trapped really as brilliant job for having a family but terrible pay and no job satisfaction. My youngest is 3.5 and at school nursery with excellent wraparound and after school facilities. A good job has come up doing what I did before becoming "trapped". It's FT all year round and my gut is saying go for it! We do really need the extra money and I need the challenges and rewards it should bring. Haven't had an interview for all that time and not feeling nervous yet but getting prepared. I think it's the right thing to do. I soooo hope I get it. Over 100 people applied apparently!

As Phwooar said, try not to worry or get nervous. You're talking about yourself which in theory should be the easiest thing to do. If there is an advert or job spec for the job - read through it and try and highlight all the key duties and skills they are looking for. Take these and prepare examples of where you have done that during your career. e.g.

Project Management - you have excellent pm skills due to extensive experience of - e.g. give examples of when you've undertaken a project and it resulted in success, what skills you used and have developed over time etc.

Also do lots of research on the company and try and get across to them that you're invested in who they are and what they do. On the basis of this research try and ask a few questions (not salary based ideally at a first interview - they will probably ask what your expectations). More about plans for the company, what team you'll be working in, how your career will progress etc etc.

If they ask what your salary expectations are and if you feel awkward plucking a figure then a good answer is "I'm flexible but I'd like to paid something commensurate to my level that also recognises a career move and progression"

Best of luck in any case.

Thanks for guidance. I am doing research on company etc. I have digested job/person spec and married up experience to it. I have even been to visit venue and checked out parking etc. Feeling confident. I will let you know how it goes and of the outcome (good or bad). Thanks again.

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, only just seen your thread and totally understand what you mean about feeling trapped, I feel exactly the same. I hope that you get the rewards and satisfaction that you are hoping for, well done ! :)

Well morleylass I hope it's your turn next.

Congrats!!!!