I interviewed during the last cycle, and I would love to share some big women's interview clothing things I came across. Hopefully it is helpful! It's much more difficult being a woman and dressing professionally because we simply have more options. I am sure a LOT of these (probably all of them) have been discussed before, but I thought I would share regardless.
This is from my experience:
- Don't wear a skirt and not wear panty hose. I had to wear it in 95F+ weather, but in an interview setting you have to wear it.
- On the same note, don't wear open toed shoes with panty-hose (or in general, they aren't as professional).
- I know that everyone is in a "sea of black/navy", but don't try and stand out by wearing something else (except for grey, that's okay). Stand out with your personality and experiences. I saw a bright green suit, and it not only looked out of place, but it was distracting. I also am in the camp for no kaki/beige suits, they are too casual.
-You have to wear a suit. Not a dress or a skirt with a nice blouse. I saw one girl wearing just a skirt and a blouse that wasn't tucked in.
- No bulky jewelry for the same reasons of being too distracting.
- Please don't wear too much makeup, but wear some to enhance your features and look well put together. I would recommend making sure you are using a primer, especially in hot weather. The last thing you want is to have makeup that is smudging (eyeliner raccoon eyes) and having to worry about it. Youtube has some great makeup tutorials if you aren't comfortable with it.
- Think about weather and how you are doing your hair. Make sure it will look nice all day (or better yet, pack a brush) and that it won't be constantly in your face. You want to look polished, and hair can be one of the most annoying things to deal with on interview day.
- Most women will need a bag for their stuff, don't stress too much about it, but make sure it isn't huge (and no backpacks) and that it is a black/brown/grey bag that is non-distracting that compliments your suit.
- For happy feet, bring two pairs of shoes. I wore flats during walking tours and changed into heels for the interview. I just made sure my bag was big enough for the shoes to fit. Some tours can be long, and of all the things I did, bringing two pairs of shoes was the smartest.
- If you are wearing a skirt (and I am in the camp where skirt>pants in how professional, but it really doesn't matter too much), make sure it isn't too short! You don't want to have to worry about sitting down and how far your skirt is riding up.
- If you are going to wear pants, make sure they aren't dragging on the ground or too short. And wear matching, conservative socks.
- Your bra straps and/or any form of undergarment should NOT be showing. If you are worried about it at all, re-think your outfit.
- I think wearing a button down shirt w/ collar is the most professional, but blouses are a good option too as long as they are dressy blouses and not a t-shirt/tank top that you are trying to dress up. Also, make sure they have some sort of a sleeve.
- If you are going to have nail polish on, it should be a very soft/unnoticeable color and should NOT be chipped. No wearing a different color on each nail - I saw that.
-Don't show too much skin in general.
- Like my dad always told me, you can always be underdressed, but you can never be overdressed (but an evening gown is a bad idea).
This'll be the first time I will have ever had to wear a suit, so I'm a little overwhelmed.
