What to Wear on an Interview - Part III

I know I know...I thought this metrosexual blog series was over too. I mean it doesn't even really make sense for me to write about interviews, considering I'm going to law school and won't even be on an interview in the next three years. That's why I'm going to shift the focus from guys to gals. Its dangerous, I know, but i cant help myself after spotting the most horridly dressed woman on her way to an interview. She had those dress pants that cover pretty much the entire shoe and look like they at some point belonged to a pot smoking, bare-chested, hippy love beast. There have been a few sightings of hovering Delorians, so that could explain their untimely existence. She also had a white shirt which, although tucked in, overflowed with excess fabric.

Now how did I know she was on her way to an interview? I mean, hey, she could have been on her way to a casting call for MTV's Made: "I want to be a Continual Disappointment to My Parents". But she carried with her the one item which confirmed it was indeed an interview - the padfolio. You just know that thing was stocked to the brim with resumes that her interviewers would later be playing office basketball with. Good thing she made sure to get the most expensive paper the print shop offered. It makes those cross cubicle shots a lot easier. Anyway, the following is my amateur opinion on what a woman should wear on an interview. Please feel free to cross reference with Vogue, Cosmopolitan, or Elle.

I guess the best place to start would be the suit. If a woman's ever in doubt, she should always go with a suit. Its hard not to look good. The most important decision when it comes to the suit is, of course, pants or skirt. How ever shall this epic decision be made? Well, its quite simple actually. Unless you plan on doing cartwheels into the interview room, for the love of god wear a skirt. A skirt lets the interviewer know a woman is confident as such and self-assured in her ability to think outside the male monomaniac box. Whoa, big word. Many companies understand that women are more capable problem solvers than men (that's what my industrial psychology teacher told me at least) and will seek out those interviewees who express the most confidence in who they are.

Whats the best length of the skirt, she asks? It really should be kept between the top of the knee and four inches below it. You can definitely creep a bit longer (I know some girls have this weird issue with their calves) but it just needs to fit snug. Not tight, snug. I saw countless girls with super tight skirts come in to interview at my last co-op position. While it wasn't a horrible experience for me by any means, I never did see any of them again, much to my chagrin (Side note: I was in kinkos last night and the lone employee used the word chagrin in passing dialogue. I was impressed and promised myself I would use it at some point. Im usually not good at keeping promises, so I'm quite happy with myself right now). But back to the issue at hand. Whats even worse than a tight skirt is one that hangs loose. You know what they say...a loose skirt is a loose mind. Also, one of the girls who actually got the intern position told me she would sit in front of a mirror before leaving for an interview. This would give her an idea of what the interviewer will see or more importantly, what they wouldn't see. In terms of color, keep it simple and professional; blacks, navys, and grays are all great choices. I’m a big fan of a grey suit with a very faint plaid pattern. It gives me tingles.

And finally, when it comes to cleavage...less is more.

Im feeling pretty confident with my promise keeping abilities, so i hereby promise this will be the last entry in What to Wear on an Interview. To my first, and unfortunately probably not last, attempt at blogging fashion advice - I lay you to rest. Please do not haunt me at some point down the road as I suspect you will. And if for some reason blog heaven is the same as dog heaven, tell buck I miss him.

Yep...I talk to my blog posts.