Asking For a Friend | Chapter 74
Advice from Babe to Babe
Collectively, the BWH team has been on our fair share of job interviews (and we’re not ashamed to admit they haven’t always gone smoothly).
Like death and taxes, the pre-hire routine is inevitable if you’re a professional woman, but even as a seasoned pro the process leaves a few questions on the table. Whether you’re heading out for your first post-college interview or getting back into the job-hunt after growing your career at the same company for several years, the AFF gurus are weighing in today with sage advice for these high-stress appointments.
This totally depends on your industry. I always go for black pants and blazer with a white blouse, but my industry is not very creative at all. As long as it’s professional and appropriate, you can go with your gut. If your gut tells you nothing, ask your recruiter! They’re there to help.
I always suggest stalking the company's social media pages. That will give you an idea of the tone/culture of the company, and that can help you figure out what you need to wear. If all else fails, it's better to be overdressed than under-dressed.
It's an old adage that has stood the test of time: Dress for the job you want. That means not just this job, but your dream job; how you would want people to see you. Office wear is always a good idea; pencil skirts, trousers, button-downs, blazers, and close-toed shoes. If this sounds too dull for you, consider small tweaks like a statement bag or a silk scarf. H&M is my go-to for professional work wear (also worth noting you can get an in-store coupon if you bring old clothing to be recycled). I dress to be taken seriously in interviews myself, once I have the job I let my personality in a bit more through my clothing.
An interview is a performance; think of the outfit you wear as your costume, equal parts form and function. Matching the company’s dress code is only part of the equation—the last 10 percent of putting together an outfit is what makes it a killer interview outfit. A few practical tips for putting yours together:
Make sure you’re comfortable in whatever you wear; it will come across in how people perceive you. That means clothing you can sit or walk in comfortably, flats if you’re most comfortable in flats, no itchy fabrics, and a skirt only if you don’t otherwise wear pants. Be yourself. Wear a color or pattern that will help hide sweat stains (and consider getting armpit protectors); deodorant is no match for stress sweat. Don’t forget hair and makeup. You don’t have to go crazy, but you should appear groomed. (And for goodness sake, swipe some nail polish remover over any chipped nails!) Trim any loose threads, remove any stains, and steam out any wrinkles. Shine your shoes and get rid of any scuffs. Remember that you want your performance to be memorable, not your outfit. This isn’t the time to take risks; wear something that makes you feel confident because you know from past experience.
I’ve had success with both a handwritten thank-you note as well as a simple follow-up email. I think this depends on the workplace and how formal or professional they are. I say go for the handwritten thank-you note if it feels right to you.
For me, a handwritten thank-you note goes a long, long way. It's a lost art, but it's one I love. There's just something really personal about physically writing a note to someone, and I think it's classy and powerful. I've never gotten flowers after an interview, and I'm not sure how I'd feel about that. It may be a little over the top. However, if you learn something in the interview about the company or your interviewer that you can pull a gift idea from, I think it's a great way to show creativity. I would caution you to not spend a lot of money, though, as that might feel awkward for the recipient.
I think an email is good, but a handwritten note is better. Very little is written by hand these days, and it shows a certain amount of care when you take the time to do so. Keep it short and sweet!
Until Next Week,
—The BWH Advice Gurus
Asking for a Friend is Babes Who Hustle's weekly advice column that asks and answers the work-related questions on all of our minds.
Looking for advice and guidance? Hit us with all of your workplace-related questions below and stay tuned for next Wednesday's edition!
