What to wear to an interview...my clothes dont fit!

[farmgirl77]

Ok, not a serious problem, but someting that I am worried about...

I have a job interview on Wed...and I really want the job (I think, if the conditions are right) BUT, my old work cloths dont fit - by about 6kg! I have purchased black pants and a few shirts, and I have a charcol coloured jacket, but I dont have a suit to wear. Does it matter if I just wear pants and a good shirt, or should I try and find a suit?

The workplace that I'm going to is smallish, but does work with a lot of govt stakeholders etc, so I know that the CEO (who is on the interview panel) wears suits as normal.

What should I do??

FG

[Persephone1]

Hmm, good question. I sat a job interview the other day with my preggy belly there for the world to see. I went shopping for a new shirt (with a collar and buttons) but couldn't find anything in the maternity range that looked nice - I looked more like an Easter egg.

I ended up wearing trouser pants, a nice long top and a bolero. I wear that sort of outfit every day at work, so I didn't feel particularly formal - but I'm lucky in that I was applying for an internal job and the "dress code" at my work is fairly lax at the best of times.

So, hmmm...I think what you've chosen sounds fine. If you're wearing a jacket then I don't think anyone will notice what you're wearing (ie. that it's not a "suit"). The other thing is that in my experience being on Interview Panels, it's the people that go overboard (with make-up, clothes and perfume) that we remember for the BAD reasons, and people who present with a great personality and answer the questions well that we remember for the GOOD reasons. So as long as you feel comfortable and confident, I think that's more important than what you're wearing.

Good luck! FWIW, I got the job I was applying for, so it certainly had nothing to do with what I was wearing!

[mummato1]

I had the same problem a few months back! I have a huge pile of work clothes (incl suits) and none fit me at the moment.

I ended up going to K-mart and Big W.. not exactly high fashion but I didnt want to spend a lot on clothes for a job I may not get. I ended up getting a simple black pencil skirt from the maternity section (shhh) but it doesnt look like a maternity skirt, just has the fold over waist band. I also picked up a short sleeve white white with black detail.. and wore a pair of my black and white high heels. Everything matched, and the outfit although cheap (about $40 all up) looked smart.

As long as you look professional, and you are well presented I think it is fine. Normally I would wear a suit, but being middle of summer it was far to hot anyway.

Oh I got the job too.. so must have been ok : )

[farmgirl77]

thanks for the advice - went the basic black pants and shirt - no jacket. Now I just hope that I have the same success as the two of you...fingers crossed!

[Visitor7]

Good luck. I'm sure what you wore was fine. Well it sounds fine anyway