The Job Interview- how vintage can you go?

C-dot · Nov 25, 2009

You're right. Besides, if my look had really put them off, they wouldn't have called me for an interview, right?

I'm going to wear what makes me feel confident, and if that happens to be vintage, so be it

Amy Jeanne · Nov 25, 2009

Unfortunately, interviewers *do* judge you by how you're dressed. I can do my job blindfolded and I've won awards and dinners because I've excelled at it so much. And I dress in my vintage creations every single day!

I seriously doubt they would have hired me if I wore one to the interview, which is ashame if you think about it too much. Once you get in, though, you can go full-on vintage

Instead, I wore pinstriped slacks and a white blouse. And I wore my hair straight (it was black at the time and I was worried that might work against me!) Very "toned down" compared to what I usually wear.

Lily Powers · Nov 25, 2009

C-dot said:
There is some great advice in this thread.

I'm a college student, and we all know how busy school keeps you. I haven't worked part-time since June, so money has been tight. Now that its tight to the point of strangulation, I have started looking for work.

Here's the scam: I have an interview at Fossil on Friday. I have gone to the store and spoken with the assistant manager a few times, so she has seen my vintage look. Fossil is also a vintage themed store (What Vintage are You?).
The only thing is, this store is in an upscale mall, and the associates are all dressed very trendily and modern. My darling mum, with her omnipresent advice, tells me to "tone it down" and "dress normally for once," because they might not hire me.

I'm not planning to go in full pin-up regalia or rolled hair or anything - I was thinking tailored high waisted trousers, a blouse, understated heels, and an updo (see avatar). This look would be vintage, but quite timeless aswell.

Suggestions and criticism please!

Are the Fossil sales associates required to wear Fossil clothing? Fashion tends to be a creative field, yet some retailers require sales associates to dress in an almost uniform-like way. I tend to agree with your mum, and the outfit you described sounds like it's toned down but still creative enough for a job interview with a clothing retailer... although, if you can incorporate a Fossil garment into your outfit, it might win some extra points, since ultimately Fossil wants you to sell *their* line of goods.

Good luck on the job hunt. This time of year is always a good time to get a foot in the retail doors!

C-dot · Nov 25, 2009

Lily Powers said:
Are the Fossil sales associates required to wear Fossil clothing?

Not here - Fossil Canada sells primarily watches, with a few bags and the odd t-shirt. The vast majority of the products on the website are only available in the States.

Thanks for the good wishes

Amy Jeanne said:
Unfortunately, interviewers *do* judge you by how you're dressed. I can do my job blindfolded and I've won awards and dinners because I've excelled at it so much. And I dress in my vintage creations every single day!

Good for you! :eusa_clap I understand the judgment to a point... But if the person is polished and professional, what difference does it make? I've been given recognition and promotions in past retail jobs, and my part-time experience is pretty extensive. I've never been turned down for a job.

I tried once before to hide my style for work (trendy salon). Within a few weeks of working there, my style started to show through a little, 'cause you can't hide forever. The manager said "You're one of those punk girls, aren't you? I wish I'd known that when I interviewed you." I asked her what she meant and she didn't answer me - I didn't work there much longer after that.
She was a terrible manager for many other reasons, though, so I'm not worried. As said, the Fossil assistant manager has seen me more decked out than I ever would be for an interview, and she still called me. Thats got to be a good thing!

Christy · Nov 26, 2009

C-dot said:
There is some great advice in this thread.

I'm a college student, and we all know how busy school keeps you. I haven't worked part-time since June, so money has been tight. Now that its tight to the point of strangulation, I have started looking for work.

Here's the scam: I have an interview at Fossil on Friday. I have gone to the store and spoken with the assistant manager a few times, so she has seen my vintage look. Fossil is also a vintage themed store (What Vintage are You?).
The only thing is, this store is in an upscale mall, and the associates are all dressed very trendily and modern. My darling mum, with her omnipresent advice, tells me to "tone it down" and "dress normally for once," because they might not hire me.

I'm not planning to go in full pin-up regalia or rolled hair or anything - I was thinking tailored high waisted trousers, a blouse, understated heels, and an updo (see avatar). This look would be vintage, but quite timeless aswell.

Suggestions and criticism please!

I think your outfit sounds appropriate for your interview. It still has the vintage flair to it and they are used to seeing you in a vintage style so it would probably be a little odd to them if you went completely opposite of what they're used to seeing you in. Good Luck with the interview!

Blondie · Nov 26, 2009

As long as you are well groomed, neat & tidy, you will be fine.
When i interviewed for my current job in retail, i wore black 40's pants a simple blouse , polished loafers and kept my make-up to a minimum, my hair was styled but the back was pulled up into a French knot, then after a got the job i slowly let my vintage attire and look creep in, and now if i turn up not wearing hair flowers i get asked "where are your cute flowers"?
Good luck and keep us posted !

Darhling · Nov 26, 2009

Well, I do tone it down a tad for interviews (and have been called back after the first one). I opt for nude seamed stockings instead of black seams and lipstick that isn't pillarbox red. Other than that I just dress in a skirt with a blouse or twinset. That always look nice I think..

C-dot · Nov 26, 2009

Darhling, I think you always look nice

Thank you ladies for the good wishes. Tonight, I will go over my resumé with a fine toothed comb, press my blouse and set my hair, and knock 'em dead!

RebeccaDoll · Nov 26, 2009

Good luck, Ladies!

I just got back from my very own interview with my University prof. I applied to be a research assistant over the next term. Everone who applied for the position was in what they usually wore to class. I wore my black skirt and a lovely cable knit sweater that fits perfectly, and a low pair of heels. Everyone else was in jeans/sweat pants/ PJ pants!

At the end of my interview, he told me that one of the positions was mine, and told me, if my grades and attitude hadn't qualified me, my clothes certainly would have.

I felt rather sorry for the women who went after me, as she was in yoga pants.

I dressed with the classics in mind, how I usually do, (As I don't own any Vintage dress's at the moment

) In what I believe to be classic student wear, and I completly agree with what all of you have said, dress for the position, keep it in mind (I guess, if the position I had applied for was, say, Ugg boot salesmen, then I would have been out of luck)

C-dot · Nov 26, 2009

Congratulations Doll! :eusa_clap I think people have forgotten how to be situation appropriate.

Which university?

RebeccaDoll · Nov 26, 2009

Thanks, C-Dot. (love the name!)

I'm at Nipissing U - in North Bay - my home town, actually.

I am assuming you go to U of T?

Lovely Leah · Nov 26, 2009

What to Wear to Follow Up Interviews

I am candidate for an Executive Assistant position with a large charitable foundation. I have no idea what to wear to the follow up interviews with the senior executives. This past Monday, I was interviewed by two women from HR. I wore a navy blue vintage suit with an antique stick pin in the lapel, a contemporary silk blouse, navy blue hose and modern flat heeled oxfords. I wasn't seriously considering going to work fulltime until the HR people talked about the compensation package. I expect at least two or three more interviews. Any idea what to wear ?

C-dot · Nov 26, 2009

RebeccaDoll said:
I am assuming you go to U of T?

Ooh, North Bay is so lovely. I would love to live there...

I'm actually at Sheridan College. U of T isn't doing so well lately on account of their charging people too much!

Lovely Leah said:
I am candidate for an Executive Assistant position with a large charitable foundation. I have no idea what to wear to the follow up interviews with the senior executives. This past Monday, I was interviewed by two women from HR. I wore a navy blue vintage suit with an antique stick pin in the lapel, a contemporary silk blouse, navy blue hose and modern flat heeled oxfords. I wasn't seriously considering going to work fulltime until the HR people talked about the compensation package. I expect at least two or three more interviews. Any idea what to wear ?

I think you already have the right idea - Smart suit and clean cut look. Do you have any skirt suits? Wearing one of those with unseamed stockings would be lovely!

(Seamed stockings unfortunately carry erotic overtones in the modern world.

)

miss_smith · Dec 1, 2009

What kind of museum is it

They might appreciate a little vintage.
The way I see it, as long as you aren't giving a pin-up vibe vintage is appropriate for a job interview. Most people can't tell a vintage suit from a modern one anyways. However, I wouldn't go entirely bland either. You DO want them to remember you. So wear something that you really love with it, like a piece of jewelry or a great pair of shoes. I always like to have something a little surprising, very me, very unlike every other black-suit wearing interviewee. Besides, they'll figure out you like vintage eventually anyways!

C-dot · Dec 2, 2009

Well said, Miss Smith! You most definitely want your prospective employer to remember you, and that means being individual and standing out from the bunch. (Just don't give them all your individuality at first glance

)

However, if you're applying at Fossil, then do go vintage! I was hired, and on the phone today the manager was explaining the dress code: "no sweatpants, running shoes, combat boots... We like modern vintage."
I told her she needn't worry as I am always vintage, and she said "That's why I hired you, honey! Your fabulous look... And your personality of course."

See? Vintage was so helpful to me that my personality was an afterthought lol

I<3Tiki · Dec 2, 2009

Congratulations on your 2nd interview Leah! Although I have only worked as an Administrative Assistant for a few years - not an Executive Assistant - for my 2nd interviews, I usually wear a nice skirt (a pencil skirt, A-line, or one with a little more flare at the hem - I'm not really sure what that type of skirt is called - kind of like a mermaid skirt but not long & not super tight), a matching button-up blouse, and some heels. If you have a blazer that matches, even better. If I had a 2nd suit, I would probably wear that, but so far, my previous positions haven't required them, so I only have 1 at the moment. If it's cold, though, I will wear dress pants instead of a skirt. I would take a nod from the ladies that you interviewed with and take it up a notch or 2 from what they were wearing.

KittyT · Sep 16, 2010

I have a job interview next week for the IT department at a local college and am agonizing over what to wear because I don't have much! I have a suit that was purchased for me a long time ago. Besides probably not fitting me anymore, it's also kind of dated.

I don't have any vintage suits either, but do have a black 40s gabardine skirt and a black 40s jacket that was my mother's. Both have a little detailing on them at the pockets (swirl details made with fabric bias, not rhinestones or anything fancy). This can be worn with closed toe shoes, a white shell and some pearls. Simple makeup (no red lipstick) . I'm hoping this will work out all right and be the right mix of fresh and conservative for the job environment.

The only problem is that the lining on the jacket is shredded. I tried to have it replaced but they wanted a small fortune for it and suggested I just cut it out. Maybe that's the best option?

Sincerely-Dee · Sep 16, 2010

For the last job interview I went to I wore a 50s inspired blouse [it was a cream coloured sheer material but I wore a full slip underneath it (black)] I wore a loose black pencil skirt and a pair of flat patent black brogues. I also wore a navy-blue silky blazer. The interviewer [lady] actually commented on how nice I looked and asked me about vintage clothing.

Foofoogal · Sep 16, 2010

I have always heard that navy blue is a good color for a serious thing like a job interview or court. [huh]

My best to you on the interview.

KittyT · Sep 16, 2010

Foofoogal said:
I have always heard that navy blue is a good color for a serious thing like a job interview or court. [huh]

My best to you on the interview.

Thank you. Navy or grey are supposedly the best bets. I'm certainly not keen on wearing black and white, but I'm not sure I have too many other options.

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