Raise your hand if you own a traditional suit in black or navy. (Lawyers, put your hands down. This attire is your equivalent of scrubs for those who work in a hospital.)
Right off, here's my proposal: Any severance agreement should include sufficient money to buy The Interview Suit. Period. They owe us that much, at least.
I have not owned a traditional--read "conservative"--suit for over seven and a half years. The last one I bought? To interview for the job I was just released from. After I was hired, I donated it to an organization that gives suits to women without resources, so they can try to repeat the process. The truth is, most of the corporate world has gone to what's called "business casual." Research shows people are more productive when they are comfortable, but not sloppy.
For men: Pin-striped suits, silk ties? For women: Non-descript blazer and skirt, complete with sensible heels? Not in the world I came from. I worked the West Coast, trendy, but not stuffy. Comfortable, but cool. I didn't wear stockings for over a decade. Loved those styles!
But. I'm about to embark on the interview circuit now. And that means I have to be compliant, if I want a prayer of a chance to get a second interview, let alone be chosen. And there is an entirely different set of rules when it comes to the hiring process.
Prospective employers never got the memo that they should hire for, say, skills or experience. Nope. It's still the First Impression that makes or breaks a prospective candidate. If you believe the research, that means a whopping twenty seconds before the decision is made, before you ever say more than "Nice to meet you." Also, this apparently includes suppressing any hints of fashion. Now, I'm not saying that we-who-seek-an-income should show up in jeans and a t-shirt. But, really...we're not stupid. We just left the work force. We actually know how people dress on a daily basis.
Yet, suddenly we're forced to show up in an outfit that's a cross between a nun and a 1960 airline stewardess. AND, we, who are unemployed, have to dish out a considerable amount of money to achieve this look. Ever read "Nickled and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich? If not, stop reading this and go find it. Ehrenreich sets out to see what it takes to live on minimum wage in three different employment arenas (Note: As Alan, who recommended this book to me, said, "You won't ever again leave just one dollar for the hotel maid.") Anyway, I digress. What Ehrenreich finds is that people without jobs are expected to buy and wear a dictated type of clothing before earning an income.
I've played this game before, so off I go, to find a reasonably-priced business suit--including the requisite dull white blouse and sexless tan pantyhose--for the interview that I surely hope lies ahead. Once I'm at a reputable store, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. After eliminating anything with the tiniest bit of flair, I find myself staring at expensive suits that I know I will never, ever wear again. Ever. Okay, maybe to a funeral.
All the employment websites--even my new favorite, Careerealism.com, have told me that I need a black, navy, or camel (if I'm feeling daring or interviewing at a progressive organization) suit. And, unless my legs are horribly disfigured, it must be a skirt. Hello????? Have we learned nothing from Hilary Rodham Clinton? Our successful Secretary of State wears pants.
Here's the scoop for females, straight from a progressive website:
Shoes Wear pumps with a medium-sized heel. Do not wear high, excessively spiky heels or boots. Black, brown, taupe, or navy is fine. Avoid flashy shoes with bright colors like red or glittery gold. No tennis shoes, open toes, or sandals. Flats may be OK for an extremely casual workplace, but low pumps are preferred.
Dresses or Suits In the workshops I teach, I always have at least one woman who says, “I wore pants to the interview and I got the job!” That’s usually the case, these days if you are wearing a nicely tailored pant suit with an attractive blouse, but if you feel comfortable in a skirt and matching jacket, I recommend it!
Hair and Makeup Keep it simple! Don’t allow long or wavy hair to hide your face. Consider having a touch-up color, wave, or trim. Wear lighter or less makeup than usual. Do not apply too much foundation or eye makeup. If you use hair spray, you might consider an unscented brand. Any sort of perfume-like smell from hair spray, body lotions, cologne, or perfume can be disturbing to some interviewers.
There ya go. Be as neutral as possible. No hint that you might like color, fashion, or that you actually have a personality.
If this whole job thing doesn't work out, I think I could start a business. I could just rent business suits, shoes, and accessories to people who are in Full Interview Mode. No need to invest, just drop by for your black or navy suit. Heaven knows you won't need it after you're hired.
Is there a Loehmann's near you or a Norsdstrom Rack? After those two I would try Marshall's as they should have their Spring suits in by now and even Ross has some nice suits sometimes at ridiculously low prices...$29.95 for the last suit I bought there for a funeral...Good luck Suzy finding the perfect interviewing outfit!
Posted by: Jayne | 02/14/2011 at 05:15 PM