What to Wear to an Interview

Brand new year, brand new job or internship, right?

But what to wear to the interview!

Searching for a new job or internship is stressful enough. While, getting an interview is a great sign, there is a great deal of pressure that comes with interviews. What will they ask me? What will I say? What are they looking for? Will they be nice? Etc.

You are also dealing with the pressure that your resume was one of the few selected out of hundreds or thousands, thus the organization already has a great deal of faith in you, and that this interview will pretty much make the difference between you having a job and the alternative. They say that if you get an interview, you only don’t get the job if you blew the interview. I don’t know how much truth is in that, but that certainly gives us all something to think about.

So you have all of these things going through your mind, in addition to the hated topic of what to wear. With so many qualified applicants and a struggling job market, what you wear plays a significant role in whether or not you will be hired.

This is my advice, as a law student searching for an internship.

 

Outfit

 

Well the legal field is very conservative, and it especially places a lot of emphasis on what is appropriate attire for women. My advice is to wear a dark grey, black, or navy skirt suit that goes past your knees. Some people in the legal field are uncomfortable seeing the knees of a woman. They are also uncomfortable with women wearing pants. I know *rolls eyes*, but unfortunately these people are in the position to offer the job. Also, this is only the interview that we are talking about. There is a lot more leniency when it comes to the typical work day, or so I hear. Outside of the legal field, I think that a nice dress, or a blouse and a pair of slacks would be appropriate as well.

 

Pantyhose or no pantyhose?

http://www.everyoneloveslegs.com/2014/06/should-pantyhose-be-part-of-professional-attire-in-the-summer/

 I would say definitely wear stockings. In my opinion, stockings do look very nice on a woman. They make me feel professional and mature. Which is certainly important for me because people still think that I am seventeen years-old. I guess that stockings also serve to cover up your skin, which is important in a field that is intimidated by femininity. I always wear stockings to interviews; I go with partially sheer stockings.

 

Shoes

http://highheelsdaily.com/2012/05/15/the-perfect-black-work-pumps-comfortable-pointy-and-reasonably-priced/

For an interview, I wear black heels, with a short (2 inch or less) heel, a slightly pointed toe, and not to shiny, but also not dull. I think that a style of heel along this vein is very smart, whether they are black or navy. I would say definitely wear heels!

 

Jewelry

http://www.pearldistributors.com/White_Freshwater_Orient_Pearl_Set_7-8mm.html

 My advice is definitely to wear some jewelry. When you show up to an interview it is important to show that you care about the way that you look. Your appearance speaks volumes about what kind of employee you will be (or so they say). Self-care practices can definitely translate to employable skills.

For your ears: Small studs or a simple pearl set.

Necklace or no necklace? I never wear necklaces to interviews because I think that they are too distracting. If you do decide to wear a necklace, I would go with something very simple and/or classy like a pearl necklace.

 

Make-up

http://www.makeupforblackwomen.net/makeup-products-for-black-women/

 Again, I think that some form of make-up is important to wear, because it shows that you care about your appearance. However, it should not be over the top. I think  a little foundation, eyeliner, and mascara should be enough. For some people lipstick is too much. I typically go with a little bit of lip balm. I make sure my lips are never too bright or shiny. I want the interviewers to focus on what I am saying, not the glare coming off my lips. However, if you don’t usually wear make-up or you are unsure, I don’t feel that make-up is a necessity.

 

Purse/Briefcase

http://briefcasesforwomen.org/

I don’t think either is necessary, but they do add an aesthetic touch that is favorable to you case. I typically take a purse that also looks like a briefcase to interviews. I use it to hold my fancy law school pad holder. Again, I think that it adds an air of professionalism.

 

Hair

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/320951910918544975/

Now, hair is a touchy subject, especially for naturals and those that like to experiment with color. Black natural hair is often seen as “unprofessional”, which is obviously quite problematic when you consider the fact that that is how it grows from our scalps. I would love to say that I wear an afro to interviews and that I still successfully attain the job. Sadly, I don’t. I typically wear my hair pulled back into a low bun. However, I don’t use smoothing agents, as I want them to know that I am natural. I am proud of my natural hair and my heritage, thus I refuse to hide who I am. However, these are my personal feelings. Obviously everyone is free to wear their hair in the way that is most comfortable for them. However, I want my personal life and choices to be reflected in my professional life as well.

 

Nails

http://www.elementslifestyle.co.uk/hands-feet/

First and foremost, make sure that your nails are clean and neat. Neat usually means  shaped and at a “natural” length, which means a small section of white above your finger. Nail polish? I generally wear a clear coat of nail polish, and I have been complimented on this choice before. My advice for polish  is a color that is not too distracting, and a finish that is not too shiny or dull. However, I don’t think that nail polish is a necessity.

 

Conclusion

What is most important about your interview ensemble is that you look like you practice self-care, and that the way you look does not distract from the words that are coming out of your mouth and your resume.

Unconventional Chicers! What did you think of my interview attire advice? Was it helpful? Did I leave anything out? Leave a comment, add to the conversation!