As the old saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression. This is especially true, and important, when you’re going for a job interview.
Your appearance tells an employer a lot about what kind of employee you might be, so it’s important to carefully consider the womens work clothes you will wear to that initial appointment.
Some occasions might call for slightly trendy womens clothing, while others might call for more traditional career clothing for women.
The most important thing to remember is you should err on the side of caution. Few employers will fault you for showing up in womens work clothes that are just a little too formal. But if you show up in trendy womens clothing that is too casual, it will definitely count against you.
Before you go to your interview, consider your potential workplace. If it’s in an office, see if you can get some information about it from current employees. The level of formality in womens work clothing will vary by field, and also by the position for which you are applying.
Fields like banking and legal services will require more traditional career clothing for women. This means you should avoid most trendy womens clothing styles. If you are interviewing for a management position, you may consider wearing a traditional skirt or pants suit.
For other positions, you can choose slightly less formal career clothing for women. However, you should absolutely choose a collared shirt, and perhaps a jacket or a blazer. If you wear a skirt, it should be at least knee-length. Opt for close-toed shoes and make sure you pick appropriate undergarments that won’t show through your clothing.
Outside of a traditional, straightforward office environment, the requirements for womens work clothes change slightly. In a creative environment like an art gallery or an architect’s office, traditional career clothing for women may even be looked down upon.
In this case, you want to carefully select some womens work clothes with an up-to-date cut. You should still opt for solid, dark colors and cover yourself up. However, you may also incorporate one or two trendy womens clothing items or accessories, like a scarf or a purse.
For hospitality and food service jobs, you can similarly avoid the most formal kinds of career clothing for women. At this kind of job, you may be required to wear trendy womens clothing or even a uniform. Still, you want to appear neat and well-dressed. Again, it’s best to avoid open-toe shoes, especially for food service jobs.
Finally, if you are seeking work in retail, it is important to avoid traditional career clothing for women almost entirely. This is especially true if you are interviewing at a store selling wholesale women clothing.