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Monday, January 13, 2014

interview attire

{ What I Wore: J.Crew blazer & silk tank // J.Crew Factory skirt // necklace ℅ SheerAddiction Jewelry // Nisolo tote // ancient boots & belt}
Photos | Zipporah Photography 
Well y'all, I'm back on the job market… to be honest I haven't actually ever been on the job market… but that's neither here nor there… yea, I didn't believe it when I said it either. I'm freaking out! I start my teaching program at the end of May; however, between now & then… still working on figuring that out!

I wore this to an "informal interview" at a school, right before the Christmas break.
Hair pinned back so I wouldn't fidget with it. A bit of business (blazer) + a bit of personality (striped skirt). 
And now I'm out of interview attire tips… so let me hear yours!

**Update - I think I gave you the wrong idea by saying that this was for an "informal interview"… it was more a tour of the school & meet-&-greet with some of the teachers. A pre-pre-pre-interview if you will. I hope to talk more about "traditional" interview attire in the coming weeks. But I also invite you to break the mold of the traditional man-suit when you go to your next professional event. I would hope that we can all be just a little more creative than that.

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win the Le Tote Giveaway (2 winners!) {here}.

55 comments:

  1. I also go for nice dress pants and a nice top for interviews.

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  2. So weird- I went on an interview last Thursday and immediately started an "Interview Attire Tips" post when I got home (because it is so nerve wracking to put together a look) but never finished it because I thought it would be a silly post, but you encouraged me to finish it! Good luck on the job search!

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  3. Unless you know the place you're interviewing is edgy/artsy/casual, I would go a little more conservative, like a pencil skirt just above the knee. Blazers like that one are always good too! For law firm interviews you're basically supposed to look like you have zero personality, which I obviously hate :) At least you have a little wiggle room!


    ~Sarah of Sarah's Real Life

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  4. I think this outfit is perfect! It shows that you're professional, as well as your personality.
    xo,
    Tiffany
    shoeschampagne.blogspot.com

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  5. LOVE this. I agree with the comments about going a little more conservative, depending on where you're interviewing, but this is super freaking cute otherwise.

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  6. This is an adorable interview outfit, Jessica! I'd say my biggest tip is to dress with personality, but stay appropriate. I always opt for a skirt/dress with a blazer. Nothing you won't feel comfortable in...the interview is uncomfortable as is!

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  7. This is so cute! Love your skirt!

    Kristin
    crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com

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  8. I'm in Accounting so I've always had to wear pretty boring things to interviews. I wish I could wear something as cute as this!

    Jen
    witsicle - a personal style blog

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  9. Good luck finding something girl, with your sense of style, it shouldnt be a problem.. ;)

    XO,
    Ellen
    www.askawayblog.com

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  10. very cute. it shoes your personality and still look professional.

    xo

    Sam

    http://fabulouspetite.blogspot.com

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  11. Love everything about this! If I can avoid suits for interviews, I try something equally dressy, but with personality. For example, a button down blouse with a subtle pattern and a pleated black skirt.

    xo
    Sam

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  12. I LOVE this! It's classy and professional, but still fun and definitely shows your personality! You would stand out in the best of ways in an interview outfit like this :)

    xx, Emily
    shell chic'd

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  13. I always err on the side of being really conservative for interviews - pencil skirts or dresses (usually black because that's foolproof) that hit just at or above the knee, nude stockings, black heels that aren't too high, etc. If it's cold, a blazer or cardigan etc. If it's an artsier place, I'll punch it up with a scarf or something similar. Always choose understated makeup and hair - I usually put mine up so it's not too crazy. It's hard to find a balance between what's appropriate and your own personal style. Once you're hired is the time to really let your clothing tastes shine :)

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  14. i'd never be able to wear something like this to an interview. it's too much like weekend wear. unless i was interviewing for a really creative job it should be slacks or a pencil skirt to the knee, a blazer, button down or nice blouse and heels. i usually reach for a navy and white combo with a nude heel.

    ladies in navy

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  15. I own 90% of this outfit and will be stealing the idea... curtsey. :)

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  16. I love this outfit for an interview. It's definitely classy and business esque, but it still is fun and stylish! Great styling!

    Shannon
    Clothes & Quotes

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  17. I'm wearing these same colors today! I love the way this outfit is professional and yet still fun!
    Jenn
    With Luck Blog

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  18. I love this! It's like winterized nautical! So excited to follow your journey and thanks for continuing to share with us!

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  19. I love this outfit! Good luck with the job hunt :)

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  20. I think this is the perfect interview look Jessica! I love that you managed to sneak in a little personality with the striped skirt while still being professional. You've got this girl!

    xoxo,
    Chelsea & The City

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  21. Love this! Totally perfect for an interview- a blazer always makes me feel more professional;)


    www.asequinloveaffair.com

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  22. I couldn't wear this outfit for an interview as its too casual (I always were my suit consisting of a pencil skirt and blazer) but this look is adorable for everyday wear! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com

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  23. I don't think you can hurt your chances at an interview by dressing conservatively. Even with certain jobs or businesses, you can never be too sure about who might be doing the interview. I've always heard that you should dress so that your clothes don't distract them from focusing on you and your thoughts/input. And as for the actual interview, definitely practice with somebody! It's good to be prepared for what types of questions you might be asked and what you might say. But actually practicing answering aloud is a huge help!

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  24. Love this! The outfit is super cute! It could depend on where someone is interviewing, but I tend to suggest always always ALWAYS going with a suit (skirt or pants). Even in a creative industry I think showing you are professional is never a bad thing, of course, accessories can make it a bit more fun and can show off your personality. You want them to focus on you and what you have to say, not what you are wearing.

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  25. This is a great interview outfit (again, like others said, depending on the place)! I can't believe what some applicants show up wearing. My office is very casual, but when you are coming in for an interview, I think you should err on the side of dressier.

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  26. Great outfit! Good luck on the job search!

    http://kacieskloset.blogspot.com/

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  27. super pretty outfit, your skirt is so gorgeous!

    X Sara

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  28. i love this outfit - it's perfectly classic! the skirt is adorable :)

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  29. Love this look! Good luck with the job hunt. I always keep it really simple for the first interview so I am not that crazy girl that wore the outrageous outfit.


    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

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  30. Super cute outfit!!! But I worry that your skirt is much too short for a professional interview (and definitely for teaching). Your outfit shouldn't distract from what you are bringing to the table as a candidate. You should probably opt for something a bit more conservative.

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  31. Ooh I hope not! I was happy to see that the teachers I met with when I wore this, were all dressed similarly… I haven't formally interviewed yet, but it was nice to see that I would fit in (sartorially speaking).
    xx

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  32. I am in love with your skirt, you look flawless!

    xoxo, KP
    Eleventh & Sixteenth

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  33. This is a really lovely outfit, especially for an interview, hope you get it!

    PS. Do you have a new photographer? Been loving your photos x

    http://mademois-elle.com

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  34. Gorgeous! This has inspired my look for tomorrow!
    -KSP
    www.katestylepetite.com

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  35. So cute! I want that outfit for my next interview.

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  36. This is such a cute interview outfit! I really love that you're showing your personality while still looking professional. My interview attire was atypical just because I knew I was looking for a job where I'd be crawling on the floor with kids :) Good luck with the interviews!!


    Kaitlin
    www.teaandsequins.com

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  37. I think I would have went a little more conservative as well, a higher neckline and classic heels instead of boots. But I like to be on the side of low key but with 1 memorable piece like a fantastic necklace. I definitely think the blazer was a good idea! Good luck with all of your interviews!



    -AJ

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  38. With schools, I usually try to go for more conservative & more professional than I think I would typically wear on the job day to day to show that I'm taking the interview and job seriously. Most schools are a little more casual now though, but I still like to stick to dress pants & a nice blouse (jacket optional).

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  39. I am in the same boat as you - back on the job market. I hope I have some interview outfit to post soon, hahaha. This is a really cute look - hope things workout on the job front soon!

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  40. I would love to see your post! This outfit is a prelude to a more "traditional" interview outfit post coming in a few weeks. I am hoping to integrate some of the tips that commenters below shared, along with my own thoughts, & great things I have read around the internets.
    xx

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  41. Ooh I love that! I am hoping to talk more about "interview" style in the coming weeks & am definitely going to play around with more "traditional" looks as well as some mixed up styles that I think are more modern.
    xx

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  42. That's so wild to me - coming from grad school, this is like black tie! ha
    xx

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  43. Thanks lady! Yes, I still take some photos with my tripod, but more of my pictures are being shot by my photographer friend Zipporah - she rocks!

    http://www.zipporahphotography.com

    xx

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  44. Good luck with your job search lady! I hope you share your interview style & tips that you learn along the way too! This is proving to be a very hard style of dress to pin down!
    xx

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  45. Good luck with your job search! Having read that this was an informal interview, I think this is the perfect outfit.


    On a real professional interviews , I am old school and do recommend to continue to dress on the side of caution. (dress just slightly a bit nicer that the job environment) why? because you are here to show your personality through your skills and assets and not what you are wearing. There will plenty of opportunities to let your personality shine through clothes once the job is secured. I work in a very conservative industry and if I am just in the office, I will wear a bold color or print mixing. When I do got and meet clients for the first time, I always wear something conservative because you only get one chance to make a first impression.


    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  46. In love with the skirt.

    xoxo
    Ivy
    Fashion - http://www.purrpleivy.com
    Fitness - http://purrple-ivy-fitness.tumblr.com

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  47. I absolutely LOVE this outfit! Stripes, cognac, blazers, and boots---some of my very, very favorite things!

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  48. You look beautiful! I love the striped skirt and the camel blazer. Definitely perfect for an interview.

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  49. Very cute - love that skirt!

    www.highheelstosneakers.com

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  50. tHIS IS REALLY PRETTY jESSICA! tHAT STRIPED SKIRT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PIECES ON YOU, PERFECT FOR AN INTERVIEW. iS THAT BLAZER WOOL? i'VE BEEN ON THE HUNT FOR THE PERFECT WOOL CAMEL-COLORED BLAZER AND YOURE LOOKS SO PRETTY.
    lAUREN
    Exploring My Style

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  51. This is a really great look Jessica, probably one of my favorites on you. That striped skirt is probably my favorite piece of yours. Is that blazer made of wool? I've been on the hunt for a wool camle blazer, yours is fabulous!
    Lauren
    Exploring My Style

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  52. Gorgeous outfit...love the skirt! Good luck with everything!

    Katie x

    http://www.missenchanting.co.uk/

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  53. This is quite cute! I think you look really put together - that blazer is the perfect color!!!

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Thank you for your comments, they make my day!!
xx