Can't find anything to wear to job interview

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spac
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27 Jul 2011, 3:51 pm

I'm a female around 30 y/o and I can't find anything to wear for a potential job interview. Most of the job websites I've found give examples of what to wear, but I don't think any of those types of clothes will work for me.

I'm applying for an entry level job as a vet assistant. I think wearing a ladies suit or even a skirt is overkill. I plan on wearing nice black slacks, but I can't find a top to wear.

I guess my problem is that all the womens clothes I can find are too feminine (I'm definitely a tomboy) and all the mens clothes are too big. I also don't like tucking in my shirts and I hate wearing a bra. I hate having breasts and since I don't wear a bra, I usually dress in a way that will hide my breasts. So I don't like the idea of just wearing a nice blouse.

Ideally, I'd like to wear a nice button up shirt with a black blazer, but I can't find any blazers that will work. They're either too expensive or too feminine. I could wear a white cotton top with a light weight black sweater, but that's gonna look stupid in the middle of a hot summer.

I might be able to pull off a striped button up shirt, but the quality of the shirt won't be too good and it will look cheap.

Could someone please help me?



pollyfinite
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27 Jul 2011, 4:20 pm

Do you have a tank top you can wear underneath a blouse?


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Rose_in_Winter
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27 Jul 2011, 4:45 pm

Black slacks sound fine, but in all truth it is very hard to overdress for an interview. One exception would be for an interview at a clothing store; in that case, it's best to wear something nice you got at the store! Also, if you can bear it, wear a watch. (This gives the impression that you are a real professional, apparently, or so my NT husband tells me.)

As for a top, one of my favorite tricks is to wear something casual (but nice, not sloppy) and dress it up a bit. One of my favorite interview outfits is loose-fitting black slacks and a sky blue sweater set. I wore it for my teaching/tutoring job interviews (got the jobs). I love sweater sets because the the shirt part of the set is always sleeveless or short sleeved, so it doesn't look like you've overdressed for a hot day. Since it's a simple, pretty casual top -- no frills or anything -- I wear a short, simple pearl necklace to dress it up without going overboard. Do you have a camisole you could wear under your white button-up? Even a nice tank would do, as long as it is in a light neutral -- white, ecru, dove grey -- that won't show through too much. The only thing is that a white top and black pants are kind of bland. Make sure to choose something colorful to make you stick in the mind of the person interviewing you. Wear red or other colored dress shoes, or one piece of brightly colored jewelry (a bead necklace or simple cuff bracelet). That will make you stick in their mind better, and they will recall you when making a decision.

Wear minimal makeup -- lipstick, or even a tinted gloss. Maybe eyeliner. If you need blush to make you look healthy, use it very lightly on your cheekbones and choose a close-to-natural tone. Makeup seems to project a more professional image. Don't ask me why, but you'll notice that in an office or other place of business, most women wear some. I didn't start wearing it until I began working and realized all the professional women I worked with wore makeup. Nothing drastic or overdone, of course. You don't want to look outrageous, just professional and put-together. Makeup helps at the interview, even if you don't wind up wearing it day-to-day.

Good luck!



Claradoon
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27 Jul 2011, 6:54 pm

I used to borrow stuff from Mom for job interviews. We were sorta the same size and of course her wardrobe was more mature.



spac
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28 Jul 2011, 10:34 am

Thanks for the responses.

What if I were a shirt similar to this one - Click Here
My mom has one similar to this. It's a little big, but it's the nicest thing I could find. I guess I'd have to tuck it into my pants though. Grr!
Would this shirt be ok? If so, should I wear another shirt under it (in addition to a tank top) and leave this shirt unbuttoned a little at the top? Or should I just wear a tank top and leave this shirt buttoned to the top?



Claradoon
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28 Jul 2011, 12:40 pm

The shirt looks fine to me. I don't quite see why you'd need layers but the options you mention sound good. Since you're applying for a job with a vet, I think the employees might all wear smocks? Either way, what you're trying to convey is not so much that you already have a working wardrobe, but that you "get it" and will dress appropriately once you get your hands on some money.

Um, did you happen to look at my free ebook (see below) which has a lot to say about dress code - although that is aimed at an office job, not a vet.