9 to 5
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
interview suit questions
What defines a suit for an interview in a business casual environment? For example, can you wear nice tailored slacks, a blouse and a jacket with a pattern (buttoned) as a suit or does it need to be the traditional solid blue, black or tan with matching pants/skirt? Instead of buying the slacks/skirt and jacket together as a set, is it all right to buy them at different stores and put them together on your own?
Re: interview suit questions
What defines a suit for an interview in a business casual environment? Unless you are applying for a minimum wage fast food position, a dark conservative suit is always the most appropriate choice for interviews. For professional interviews, whether you will be required to wear business casual dress, business dress, or some other combination once you are hired is irrelevant to what you should wear to the interview. Deal with the day to day dress code requirements after you have an offer in hand.
For example, can you wear nice tailored slacks, a blouse and a jacket with a pattern (buttoned) as a suit or does it need to be the traditional solid blue, black or tan with matching pants/skirt? Instead of buying the slacks/skirt and jacket together as a set, is it all right to buy them at different stores and put them together on your own? Wear a suit. It is impossible to perfectly match colors and fabrics from different stores and it will be noticeable that you are wearing unmatched separates. While I'm sure people will tell you that any similarly colored jacket and pants are fine, in this job market, do you really want to take any risks that leave you wondering "what if?" after the interview? Trust me, the last thing you want to stand out about yourself is that you were the only person who showed up for an interview not wearing a suit. Unless you are applying to be a personal shopper or a stylist, your qualifications should be what stands out about you, not your clothing choices.
I agree with PP that a patterned jacket is likely not appropriate. Definitely wear a suit - matching jacket and pants. However, I disagree with PP saying you can't buy "separates". I have a figure that just doesn't seem to fit normal suit pants from damn near every line of suit there is. So I buy my dress pants elsewhere and always bring them with me to the store to find jackets. As long as you're ensuring they match in both natural and artificial light, you'll be fine. For me, it's definitely more important to have well-fitting clothes that make me feel good about myself than it is about a "set" per se.
Also, if you're in a position where you don't have a suit or can't afford one and absolutely have to wear a different color jacket, definitely go with a solid and not a pattern. It could distract from your face and be too busy.
The definition doesn't change whether it's a business casual environment or a business environment. You're wearing a suit no matter what, not what you would wear on a typical workday.
It doesn't necessarilly need to be solid blue, black, or tan. I have a couple lovely charcoal gray suits, and one in dark brown tweed. I wouldn't buy separates from different stores, as you likely won't get the colors to match. But buying separates from the same collection and putting them together is fine IMO.
If you're trying to get away with wearing separates because you can't afford a suit at this time but have the separates, go for it.
If you're trying to get away with wearing separates because you can't be bothered to find a suit, just go find a suit.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
I agree with everyone above. What you wear to an interview is not determined based on what you wear to the office.
I have one suit that is a matching pants and jacket set. I use this for all of my interviews. I wear a nice button down under and leave it at that.
I have heard that pants should be worn over skirts, but I'm not sure at that.
This may be field specific. I've only heard (and given the advice) that you should wear what you're most comfortable in.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
I agree with all the other advice given. I would wear a matching suit. If you have trouble matching separates (I do, I am different sizes top and bottom) buy the suit somewhere that allows you to order separates that are designed to match. If $ is an issue check out Victoria Secret's suits. In my field in my area of the country it is well known that women are expected to wear black skirt suits to the first interview.
I do not think that patterned clothing are appropriate for job interviews. You want the focus to be on what you are saying, not distracted by what you are wearing.
I strongly recommend investing in a matching suit. I bought a black jacket with matching pants and skirt at Ann Taylor which I've had for years. I've worn both tank tops and collared button down shirts with it. Different colors but never prints. I've worn it about twice per year but on those occasions it was great to have something appropriate and decent quality to pull from my closet.
Stick with a suit that is meant to be paired together rather than mixing from different designers or stores.