Interview for University support staff - next question..

[Teeturtle]

I had some very helpful answers to my previous thread regarding the format of an interview for university in a non academic role. I have previously worked exclusively in the private sector.

Anyway I prepared for a very structured interview as I was advised and it seems it have paid off (thanks everyone) as they would like me to come back, the second round is in person interview, the first round was remotely.

The second question is hopefully easier and is about what might be appropriate to wear. My usual office wear is pretty smart, not suits but tailored dresses. But my most recent job went fully casual a while back and I have gone up a dress size so nothing from five years ago fits!

I have been looking for another tailored dress but strangely I can’t find anything in a plain fabric, I would have gone for plain navy. So my question (finally), would a patterned and less tailored dress look too casual? Would they be expecting a full on formal business suit? Damn those extra kilos, I don’t usually second guess dressing myself!

What sort of patterns are your dresses?

Less tailored is fine as long as the overall effect is still something that looks professional and office-appropriate. I did both my university interviews in black fit and flare dresses.

Universities tend to be more casual in dress. I nearly lost the best job I ever had (at a university) because I turned up in a dress and a jacket with a smart briefcase. They thought I would be too staid and stuffy. They definitely won’t be expecting a business suit - if I ever wore one for work people always asked if I had been for an interview. A patterned dress is fine.

I can't answer for everywhere ( and I seem to remember that your interview was for a fairly senior job) but in our place , we are used to a fair number of oddly dressed academics so whilst you would be expected to be clean and presentable, there would be no expectation of you wearing a suit or any need for clothes to be completely plain and neutral.

A less tailored and patterned dress would be fine for most of our interviews as long as it has a reasonably conservative cut and wasn't too casual or revealing

I definitely won’t be wearing anything revealing. 😁

I haven’t picked anything yet, but I am wondering along these lines, one of them comes in a plain colour but not in my size. I might have previously worn these to the office, but I would have been more formal for an interview in the past (private sector, multinationals).

I wore my usual plain navy interview dress to the online interview and was a bit shocked that it didn’t fit properly, but it was ok from the shoulders up!

It dropped my photos, trying again.

Ok I can’t upload a photo but here is something along the lines I am thinking. The others are similar material, length, level of reveal, one has small polka dots which I am not sure if appropriate?

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/collar-jersey-midi-dress-ochre-chain-geo/sty-d0050-tor?cat=C1_S2_G4

I think that would be fine! It's lovely.

That dress linked to would be fine