Interview Interlude

I interrupt this edition of 30x30 to bring you my interview outfit. I did not wear 30x30 items to my interview the other day. One of the skills that is required for the job I was applying for is a sense of style and a working knowledge of fashion and trends, so I needed to really let my personal style shine.



I went with a thrifted red leather pencil skirt, black tights and boots and a satiny top. I'm not sure the detail come through in the shots, but the pattern on that top is actually a print of sequins. I thought it was so clever (and so did Elissa, she got the same one!)



I also went with almost all DIY jewelry because I think the jewlery I make for myself really showcases my personal style.



I felt stylish, confident, classy and just sexy enough to be appropriate.



For my second interview I went with this:





I'm a big fan of a mixing casual with dressy so this combination of a band tee and blazer worked really well.



AND...I got a job offer, which I totally accepted. I start Wednesday. I'll be working as an entry level buyer at Buffalo Exchange, a clothing and accessories store where you can buy, sell and trade. Basically it recycles within the community. It's a concept I really believe in and I've been a longtime seller and shopper and am really excited to be starting as a buyer. I'll be getting paid to be around clothes and people all day and stay up to date on fashion trends, which as you may have noticed, I really enjoy doing.


Outfit #1
Blouse, Forever XXI
Skirt, thrifted
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Docs
Necklace, DIY
cuff, Target
Bag, LUSH

Outfit #2
Blazer, Forever XXI
Tee, Hot Topic
Skirt, Forever XXI
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Docs
Earrings Forever XXI

The Plum Tights

When I posted the last line of yesterday’s entry “What do you think?” I was really mostly thinking “Is that pencil skirt as unflattering as I think?” I was not even thinking about the tights. The tights ended up being a pretty hot button issue.

The tights are actually a very well-thought out, important part of the outfit. I hear what you guys are saying. I do. I think I just failed to communicate my intent.

“I just don't think you should knock job opportunities just because of the dress code” –
I’m sorry, I disagree. I have to be at a job 10-11 hours a day. I spend more time at work than I do at home. More time with co-workers than with friends and family. And more time in work clothes than anything else. And clothes are very important to me. Maybe more important than they are to most people. They impact my confidence and my mood. I absolutely think I should consider the dress code when looking at a company. Dress code is often an indicator of the over-all office environment as well. And I want to work somewhere where I can be me. Not just dress the way I like, but actually BE ME. Make jokes, have ideas, and be appreciated for not just the fact that I can do the job well, but for the WAY I do it.


“I think what you need to do is find a balance between the two extremes, AT LEAST FOR THE INTERVIEW!” –
I feel like I did. The charcoal dress has a great cut and fit, and is very classic looking, but not something I would normally wear. The compromise is the tights, which I would wear. Together they take a piece from both worlds, conservative and creative, and blend them together for a great look.

“I'd give points to someone with the confidence to make a classy bold wardrobe choice over a bland one.” –
I could not agree more.

“I think your interviewing outfit totally depends on the industry you work in and the type of company the potential job is with.” –
BINGO. I totally agree. If I were looking for a job in finance, law or insurance, I would wear a suit. The point is that I don’t WANT a job in those kinds of places. Not even a little bit. I’ve worked in those types of environments before and I am very unhappy there. It’s not worth it.

“I expected my candidates to at least have on a blazer.” –
And I am sure you had great reasons for expecting that. But the fact that you did says to me I might not have been a good fit. And I don’t believe for a minute that you would have let my lack of a blazer keep you from hiring me if I WERE the right girl for the job.

“They aren't hiring you for your…personality” –
You know I love you girl, but I totally disagree. I want a job where my personality matters, and is not just accepted, but a key factor.

“I just do not feel the second option on you at all.” –
Yeah. Me either. I think I might like it better with the black 15 dollar pants from Wal-mart though. I think it’s just THAT skirt I hate. I hated it last time I wore it too. It might just be time to retire it.

Again, I totally understand what you guys are saying. And I would agree if I were looking for a job in a more corporate environment. But I’m not. Been there, done that, never again. I’m 32, and I’ve had several jobs. So I do have experience. Heck, in high school I got first place in the academic decathlon interview portion. So I’m OK at this. But THIS time, I’m going to be me. And if that’s not good enough, then it’s not the right job for me, period.

An interview works both ways. I’m interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing me. It’s kind of like dating. And eventually I will find the right place. I did it with my last job, and I will again.

If I’m still jobless in 6 months, I’ll try black tights. ;)

Interview Choices

So I am going to go ahead and try and go back to work full time. SOMEDAY maybe I will be able to go part-time, just not now.

So I’m starting to interview. I want to approach this process as honestly as possible. I do not want to take a job where I feel I would have to change who I am. I am a very skilled, intelligent woman, and I deserved to be hired and appreciated for who I am.

And I am not a person who wears suits. So I am not going to buy one. I considered it, and I always have before. But I don’t like them, they are expensive and I don’t want one. And I don’t really want to work in an office where I’d need a suit to get hired, it just wouldn’t be a good fit. I enjoy my clothes too much.

So I want to wear something conservative, and professional, but with personality.

Option A. A grey shift dress from Target. At first, I was going to wear it with black tights. But Nathan suggested plum. I think they are the perfect balance between professional and fashionable.



I’m glad I took this picture, because now I know not to ever cross my legs in this dress in an interview




I’ll pair this with my beetle necklace and turquoise hoops from the Love Erin Designs shop.





Option B is a floral print blouse, a pencil skirt and a polka dot blazer with the same tights.






With my Jasper hoops from Love Erin Designs…




I have a pretty strong preference for option A. But I know I’ll eventually have a second interview somewhere and I’ll have to pull out the second one. What do you think?