Job Interview Attire

[candy]

I have a job interview this week and am trying to figure out what to wear.... It's been a long time since I've been on an interview!

My DH says definitely wear a suit, but that seems so formal/conservative considering that my profession (technology) tends towards very relaxed dress codes. In fact, I'm afraid I would look like I'm out of touch in a suit, because it's something that executives don't even wear. At the moment, I'm leaning towards a more casual skirt/blazer combination in a lighter color (from Ann Taylor, so geared toward the office), but even that seems like a bit much. What I would like to wear is nice black pants and a white button-down shirt, but DH has talked me out of it.

If I were a lawyer or investment banker, a suit would be a no-brainer. But I'm not.

Any tips? Links/photos you could share? If it helps, I'm on the east coast and the company is a publicly traded corporation.

 

[Hest88]

I don't think it ever hurts to dress up for an interview at a corporation, even if their daily dress code is casual. Better to dress up than down. You can always jazz it up a bit with more colorful shoes or distinctive jewelry. However, if you really feel this is the wrong way to go, what about using a suit bottom but going with something like a really tailored wrap cardigan or a cute trenchcoat or the like on top?

 

[elrohwen]

I think a suit is always appropriate, especially for an office or corporate job. I've never worked in an industry where anybody wore suits to work (or even ties), yet I've always worn a suit to interviews. The idea is to stand out as being professional and put together - not blend in as if you already work there.

I recently interviewed at DH's company - he wears jeans every day, and some people even wear shorts in the summer! But I wore my suit and so did every other interview candidate.

 

[candy]

OK, two votes for a suit.

Here is a link to what I bought yesterday -- A light gray blazer and both the skirt and pants shown at the bottom-right of the page.

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/produc ... ype=Petite

Seemed like an OK idea yesterday after trying on a dozen conservative suits, but I'm not really feeling it now. I think I'll head back out for another day of shopping. Bleh.

 

[mary poppins]

I think the outfit you posted from Ann Taylor is fine for the circumstances you describe. I think it's professional and stylish and definitely not conservative or stuffy. The jacket is not conservative because it has 3/4 sleeves and one button. Likewise as to the skirt because of the belt/tie on top, seams down the middle and buttons. The pants are more conservative than the skirt, but fine with the stylish jacket. The outfit is too informal for an attorney's interview, meeting or court appearance.

Good luck on your interview!!