Hi folks, I come from a place that is very informal. Wearing a suit would nearly always mean you are overdressed here. So, I have a lot of questions about dressing for interviews.
For women, is it necessarily a suit, or could a nice dress of pants and blazer work? I am also confused about colors and patterns in the suit. I've found some articles that suggest black, dark gray, and navy, either solid of with a very subtle pattern (such as pinstripe). Are 3/4 length sleeves ever acceptable?
If I wear a skirt, would I wear opaque tights with it because of the cold, or should I wear sheer?
I am also wondering about shoes. Do you think a heel is necessary, if so, how high? (I have foot problems, so I need to balance that). Can the shoes be a different color, such as a dark red?
What about the coat? Does that need to be nice as well?
Finally, I can't wear the same boots I would wear outside, is that right? I'll need to bring shoes to change into, I think. Are there usually places to leave our coats and shoes?
Thank you!
I think that a suit should be non-negotiable for several reasons.
1. This is in some ways the most important job interview you have gone on thus far. It is standard practice to wear a suit to interviews. Like others have said, it doesn't have to be an expensive suit.
2. You are attempting to convey, both verbally AND non-verbally, your interest, respect, and investment in the site. If it isn't important enough to dress 'your best' to, what impressing *could* that leave?
3. TD's definitely want to get an impression about what your day to day professionalism is like. Can you fit in with their team, can you be comfortable in the role of intern and future psychologist?
That being said- details matter! It does not matter if you wear flats, as long as your pants are tailored appropriately etc. Nice coat, accessorized appropriately (not looking underdone but absolutely not overdone! Nothing flashy, revealing, or unprofessional), etc.
I'd say that if there isn't actively snow on the ground, wear ONLY the shoes that you will be comfortable in all day, as many sites do not have places to put bad weather shoes... I'm not sure you want to be known by the interviewers as "the girl who was carrying boots with her all day..."
I'd recommend NEUTRAL colored (black, grey, flesh-toned, brown) opaque tights if you are wearing a skirt, purely because extra coverage conveys appropriate conservatism in dress even if your skirt rides up a bit while you are seated.
Additionally (I'm tempted not to share this because I feel like its my secret), choose your suiting, shirt and accessories in appropriate but non-traditional styles. In a sea of black or grey suits with white or light blue button down shirts, it is refreshing to see a brown, tan, or navy suit, an interesting (but not flashy) shirt... it helps you stand out amongst a sea of faces, conveys confidence and comfort in professional attire ("Who, me? I wear suits all the time!").
Also- the more appropriately memorable you are, the better. Then all you need to do is focus on what you are saying during the interview.
P.S. I second the recommendation of trying on suiting at all the well-tailored places (the Limited, Banana Republic, JCrew, dept stores, etc... ) and then HIT HOLIDAY SALES!! You can get that stuff for like half off or less! But you do NOT want to be trying on suits at the mall on Black Friday... so try on in advance and then run in with coupons/discounts/sales, grab your size and you're good!
Good luck and best wishes to all!
