Dress for interview - customs. Craziness

[Anonymous]

I have a job interview after being a SAHM for 6 years. My last job was one I had for a long time, so I haven't interviewed since being a young thing ..

I'm in my 40s. So, I'm trying to figure out how professional I need to dress and searched around here (and other places.) Found this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/61200.page My god, are we still an incredibly sexist society or what? Can people really tell you you can't wear pants to work? (ie, have to wear a skirt) Shouldn't that be illegal?

I'm not wearing a skirt for the interview no matter what (I'm not comfortable in them, plus don't have the shoes for it.)

I'm trying to figure out other rules. (ie, do you have to wear matching blazer/pants, or is it enough if they go together nicely? I can't buy a suit because I wear a different size in pants than jackets. Didn't find matching pants/jacket because I was shopping at Marshall's. But they look nice together!

Also, I have long-ish hair but don't like to pull it back because it makes me look harsh. Is there some rule that if you have long hair it needs to be pulled back, or is neat and brushed enough?

it's not a job in a law office or business, but an academic-type environment.

[Anonymous]

Just look very presentable and professional. I think you should concentrate more on your interview skills and showing why you are the best candidate and the obvious choice for the job. GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have a job interview after being a SAHM for 6 years. My last job was one I had for a long time, so I haven't interviewed since being a young thing ..

I'm in my 40s. So, I'm trying to figure out how professional I need to dress and searched around here (and other places.) Found this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/61200.page My god, are we still an incredibly sexist society or what? Can people really tell you you can't wear pants to work? (ie, have to wear a skirt) Shouldn't that be illegal?

I'm not wearing a skirt for the interview no matter what (I'm not comfortable in them, plus don't have the shoes for it.)

I'm trying to figure out other rules. (ie, do you have to wear matching blazer/pants, or is it enough if they go together nicely? I can't buy a suit because I wear a different size in pants than jackets. Didn't find matching pants/jacket because I was shopping at Marshall's. But they look nice together!

Also, I have long-ish hair but don't like to pull it back because it makes me look harsh. Is there some rule that if you have long hair it needs to be pulled back, or is neat and brushed enough?

it's not a job in a law office or business, but an academic-type environment.

As most women in academia look frumpy, you shouldn't have a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have a job interview after being a SAHM for 6 years. My last job was one I had for a long time, so I haven't interviewed since being a young thing ..

I'm in my 40s. So, I'm trying to figure out how professional I need to dress and searched around here (and other places.) Found this:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/61200.page My god, are we still an incredibly sexist society or what? Can people really tell you you can't wear pants to work? (ie, have to wear a skirt) Shouldn't that be illegal?

I'm not wearing a skirt for the interview no matter what (I'm not comfortable in them, plus don't have the shoes for it.)

I'm trying to figure out other rules. (ie, do you have to wear matching blazer/pants, or is it enough if they go together nicely? I can't buy a suit because I wear a different size in pants than jackets. Didn't find matching pants/jacket because I was shopping at Marshall's. But they look nice together!

Also, I have long-ish hair but don't like to pull it back because it makes me look harsh. Is there some rule that if you have long hair it needs to be pulled back, or is neat and brushed enough?

it's not a job in a law office or business, but an academic-type environment.

What you describe sounds perfect. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

I think as long as you're wearing a solid color pair of pants (preferably black), you can easily get away with a blazer that matches in color but isn't a matched set. Make sure your hair, makeup, bag and shoes are in good shape, and think about a necklace or scarf if you don't have a top that pops.

[Anonymous]

As an academic who takes a fair amount of pride in not being frumpy (really, PP, get over the stereotypes and spend some time at a local college or university) and who does a whole bunch of hiring and interviewing, I'll share the following:

1. You can wear pants (although I'll gently but firmly note that anyone who goes into an interview with a "no matter what" disposition about anything other than things like stealing or fraud may find some challenges -- try to have a bit more of an open mind).
2. You want the interviewer(s) to focus on what you have to say, not what you wear. Nothing flashy or so revelatory that they'll wonder why you didn't take care of a plunging neckline, for instance.
3. Be comfortable: practice walking in your shoes, sitting in your outfit, answering questions with a minimum of gestures, etc.,.
4. If you wear jewelry (which I do), avoid bracelets than clank or dangle (seriously: they can get caught and you and the interviewer(s) get distracted).
5. People really do pay attention to scruffed shoes and scruffed handbags. There's a difference between not being able to afford new things and not using a little polish to tend to what you do have.
6. For your hair -- it's okay to leave it long, but just be sure you brush it and don't, as a nervous habit, twirl it.
7. This will sound silly, but I'd keep a hankerchief (or kleenex) close at hand in case you sneeze or cough.
8. Have a breath mint or rinse your mouth just before the interview. You will be nervous and your throat may be dry, so this will help with that as well as with the hygiene thing (people really do notice smells, etc. and you never know who might be extremely sensitive to smells in small places).
9. Before you go to the main office, go into the restroom, stand up straight, take a deep breath, smile and look in the mirror and say to yourself "I can do this." A previous mentor gave me this advice right before I applied for a major position; I've used it several times in different settings (before speeches, etc.,) and it really does work like a charm.
10. Review the institution's website thoroughly. Try to find some information about the people with whom you'll be interviewing. Don't drop that information into the interview, but do use it to avoid stepping on landmines (for example, if you were applying to be a paralegal in a defense law firm, you wouldn't necessarily rail on big corporations if you knew that the firm represented such. I know you're in an academic-type setting, but I'm trying to give a more generic example).

The main thing is to be confident, poised, able to relax and smile, and steady with your responses. Don't say what you think the interviewer(s) want to hear; say what you mean and what you know (while keeping the open mind as noted in #1).

One more thing -- others may disagree with me, but I tend to urge candidates and friends to be open about any "gaps" in the resume. Since you've been at home, you should explain that at an opportunity and explain how your circumstances are now ideal for a new position. If you've been doing volunteer work or other things that have keep you current, I would suggest you find a way to incorporate that into your answers. You have NOTHING to apologize for in terms of having stayed at home and in fact have a great deal to gain since you've been working at an incredibly important place -- your home and heart.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Also in academia-I think your outfit sounds very appropriate.

[Anonymous]

"As most women in academia look frumpy, you shouldn't have a problem. "

Yup. Bad haircuts, ugly glasses, no makeup, and clothes that emphasize flaws.

[Anonymous]

21:20 gives great advice. I would add to the smells portion, do not wear perfume. Any. At. All. I hate when anyone comes into my office smelling of strong perfume or aftershave.

[Anonymous]

OP - For future reference, in case you need one, suits are generally sold with separate tops and bottoms, so you can definitely be a different size in each.

You can never go wrong by being too formal in an interview.

21:20 is right.

[Anonymous]

One tip I have is go to the hairdresser and have a simple, natural but professional looking hair style. I always felt better at interviews when my hair looked good. It adds to the overall professional look. Good luck.