I have an interview on Friday

[imported_yovonbishop]

The title is pretty self-explanatory. I've got an interview on Friday for a Configuration Analyst Associate position with a defense contract company. I had an interview last week for a Software Enginner Associate position with a different, much smaller company and I did pretty well. That particular position is contingent on a contract and I was told essentially if they get the contract, I get the job.

The interview on Friday is more up my alley and there is better job security there (as in, it's a permanent position versus a temporary one). I don't want to mess it up! I'm just wondering what color suit should I wear and what to do/what not to do with hair and such. I'm pretty new at this and I'm trying to plan it out seeing how important this interview is. This place is considerably more formal than the last one.

And no, I will not wear anything to show off considerable amounts of cleavage.

Thanks!

 

[Liet]

Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Edit: Hair not messy. Ponytail it if you're concerned about it. The focus of the interview is your experience and skills; so long as you're presentable, appearance should not be relevant.

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

Hair-up. And black or dark gray/charcoal suit.

Oh and :camera:!

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

bs, the dude at our HR was always seen wearing a black suit...

p.s. Pics

 

[rh71]

dark suit, black is fine... hair up imo.

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

Hair-up. And black or dark gray/charcoal suit.

Oh and :camera:!

Alright, I was leaning toward dark gray. EDIT: I have no idea what kind of shirt to wear under the jacket though.

Oh and no!

Thanks for the advice though.

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: ivan2

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

bs, the dude at our HR was always seen wearing a black suit...

p.s. Pics

*Scratches head*. So the dude at your HR works there.. yes?

p.s. No.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

Hair-up. And black or dark gray/charcoal suit.

Oh and :camera:!

Alright, I was leaning toward dark gray. EDIT: I have no idea what kind of shirt to wear under the jacket though.

Oh and no!

Thanks for the advice though.

Defense companies are pretty conservative, as in they are not Silicon Valley. You can't go wrong with a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie. It's a classic look and a lot of more conservative or traditional companies (defense, government, etc) like it.

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

Hair-up. And black or dark gray/charcoal suit.

Oh and :camera:!

Alright, I was leaning toward dark gray. EDIT: I have no idea what kind of shirt to wear under the jacket though.

Oh and no!

Thanks for the advice though.

Defense companies are pretty conservative, as in they are not Silicon Valley. You can't go wrong with a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie. It's a classic look and a lot of more conservative or traditional companies (defense, government, etc) like it.

Thanks for the reply BeauJangles. Chances are, I won't be wearing a tie to the interview because I don't think women typically do that. That's not really my forte. I'm sure you missed that tidbit of information though. I think I will go on a dark suit though, dark gray as I said before.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

Hair-up. And black or dark gray/charcoal suit.

Oh and :camera:!

Alright, I was leaning toward dark gray. EDIT: I have no idea what kind of shirt to wear under the jacket though.

Oh and no!

Thanks for the advice though.

Defense companies are pretty conservative, as in they are not Silicon Valley. You can't go wrong with a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie. It's a classic look and a lot of more conservative or traditional companies (defense, government, etc) like it.

Thanks for the reply BeauJangles. Chances are, I won't be wearing a tie to the interview because I don't think women typically do that. That's not really my forte. I'm sure you missed that tidbit of information though. I think I will go on a dark suit though, dark gray as I said before.

Oh damn, I missed the whole "you're a female thing!" Sorry That's what I get for not reading closely.

HAHAHAHA -- I was just thinking about my reply. Sorry again, good luck. I would say that erring on the female conservative side is the best bet.

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: Liet
Business suit. Can't go wrong with one in any professional interview.

Right, makes sense. But my concern is the color. Someone told me, and they could be completely wrong, that you shouldn't wear a black suit to an interview. Others have said it's fine.

Also, I'm a woman. Do I wear my hair up or down?

Hair-up. And black or dark gray/charcoal suit.

Oh and :camera:!

Alright, I was leaning toward dark gray. EDIT: I have no idea what kind of shirt to wear under the jacket though.

Oh and no!

Thanks for the advice though.

Defense companies are pretty conservative, as in they are not Silicon Valley. You can't go wrong with a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie. It's a classic look and a lot of more conservative or traditional companies (defense, government, etc) like it.

Thanks for the reply BeauJangles. Chances are, I won't be wearing a tie to the interview because I don't think women typically do that. That's not really my forte. I'm sure you missed that tidbit of information though. I think I will go on a dark suit though, dark gray as I said before.

Oh damn, I missed the whole "you're a female thing!" Sorry That's what I get for not reading closely.

HAHAHAHA -- I was just thinking about my reply. Sorry again, good luck. I would say that erring on the female conservative side is the best bet.

Lol. I figured you missed it. Not a problem. Thanks for the advice nonetheless.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Always best to overdress when there is any question

 

[Epic Fail]

Something does not compute, a woman asking for fashion advice here?

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: Epic Fail
Something does not compute, a woman asking for fashion advice here?

lol.

I know some people here may WORK at said firm or others like it and may know what goes and what doesn't. Also, there does happen to be a few women lurking in these parts.

 

[speg]

Girls in ties are hot, you should try it.

 

[BeauJangles]

Here's my mea culpa:

Women's Interview Attire

* Solid color, conservative suit
* Coordinated blouse
* Moderate shoes
* Limited jewelry
* Neat, professional hairstyle
* Tan or light hosiery
* Sparse make-up & perfume
* Manicured nails
* Portfolio or briefcase

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: speg
Girls in ties are hot, you should try it.

Yeah, the thing is, I'm not Avril Lavigne .

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
Here's my mea culpa:

Women's Interview Attire

* Solid color, conservative suit
* Coordinated blouse
* Moderate shoes
* Limited jewelry
* Neat, professional hairstyle
* Tan or light hosiery
* Sparse make-up & perfume
* Manicured nails
* Portfolio or briefcase

The shoes are a biting issue with me. I can't walk in heels, but a lot of flats these days are either too high-fashion or not fashionable enough. I'm all confused. Some have pointy toes, some are rounded, etc. No idea.

I don't plan on wearing any perfume in case one of my three interviewers has an allergy. I'd rather not even go there.

 

[BeauJangles]

http://www.associatedcontent.c...o_a_job_interview.html
http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe.../a/worst_officejob.htm - there are some links at the bottom.

I'm pretty clueless about female fashion, so the best i can do is try and find you links to people who know what they're talking about

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
http://www.associatedcontent.c...o_a_job_interview.html
http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe.../a/worst_officejob.htm - there are some links at the bottom.

I'm pretty clueless about female fashion, so the best i can do is try and find you links to people who know what they're talking about

I'm pretty clueless too when it comes to this stuff. The one article says no flats, the other says flats. I think as long as they're structured it's not going to make a difference. If I try walking around in a heel and break my face I'll look much more ridiculous than if I wear a flat. That's settled I suppose.

Now onto jewelry...

 

[rh71]

And I think for the most part hair up is both professional and smexy at the same time. Can't lose.

minimal jewelry / none.

btw, you didn't expect free advice without a pic request for final outcome did you?

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
http://www.associatedcontent.c...o_a_job_interview.html
http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe.../a/worst_officejob.htm - there are some links at the bottom.

I'm pretty clueless about female fashion, so the best i can do is try and find you links to people who know what they're talking about

I'm pretty clueless too when it comes to this stuff. The one article says no flats, the other says flats. I think as long as they're structured it's not going to make a difference. If I try walking around in a heel and break my face I'll look much more ridiculous than if I wear a flat. That's settled I suppose.

Now onto jewelry...

I've never understood how girls walk around in heels all the time and don't kill themselves. Just looking at the balancing act that goes on makes me dizzy. It seems to me like as long as you aren't wearing 4 inch heels, sandals, running shoes, or shoes with flashing LEDs on them, you're probably okay.

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: rh71
And I think for the most part hair up is both professional and smexy at the same time. Can't lose.

minimal jewelry / none.

btw, you didn't expect free advice without a pic request for final outcome did you?

Well, I'm not stupid. I've been coming around these forums for a few years now and expect to get pic requests but never give them!

Thanks for the advice though. I think for the jewels I'll just wear some small modest diamond studs. Not sure if anything else (necklaces or anything).

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: yovonbishop

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
http://www.associatedcontent.c...o_a_job_interview.html
http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe.../a/worst_officejob.htm - there are some links at the bottom.

I'm pretty clueless about female fashion, so the best i can do is try and find you links to people who know what they're talking about

I'm pretty clueless too when it comes to this stuff. The one article says no flats, the other says flats. I think as long as they're structured it's not going to make a difference. If I try walking around in a heel and break my face I'll look much more ridiculous than if I wear a flat. That's settled I suppose.

Now onto jewelry...

I've never understood how girls walk around in heels all the time and don't kill themselves. Just looking at the balancing act that goes on makes me dizzy. It seems to me like as long as you aren't wearing 4 inch heels, sandals, running shoes, or shoes with flashing LEDs on them, you're probably okay.

Hahaha... flashing LEDs. That'd be a kicker. I agree though, nothing too flashy or crappy and I should be fine.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: yovonbishop
lol.

I know some people here may WORK at said firm or others like it and may know what goes and what doesn't. Also, there does happen to be a few women lurking in these parts.

Which contractor are you going to on Friday... LM or BAE?

EDIT:

Oh and I've found that you should essentially always be as dressed up as your interviewer or more. I wore a suit when I interviewed but I saw others that were just dressed nicely (a step up from business casual I guess?)

 

[imported_yovonbishop]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: yovonbishop
lol.

I know some people here may WORK at said firm or others like it and may know what goes and what doesn't. Also, there does happen to be a few women lurking in these parts.

Which contractor are you going to on Friday... LM or BAE?

EDIT:

Oh and I've found that you should essentially always be as dressed up as your interviewer or more. I wore a suit when I interviewed but I saw others that were just dressed nicely (a step up from business casual I guess?)

LM. Yeah, that's what I've heard. I just don't want to go in there looking all done up like a barbie doll. That'd be the wrong kind of dressed up.