A reader asks about attire, but it is often more about attitude.
Note - all letters are reprinted as received, with names and some details deleted to ensure privacy, but no correction to spelling or grammar.
Q. Please help me. I'll be graduating from College (I'm in my last semester right now), and I have been sending out my Resume, getting interviews, but I either get a rejection letter or I don't hear back from the people or company at all. While I am able to get some interviews, I guess I always bomb them, and I am not sure why. When I get home, I always talk it over with my boyfriend, who says I handled the questions wrong, and did not dress appropriately. So I try to change for the next interview, but it still doesn't seem to go right, and my boyfriend still says I am not acting properly or dressing for the interview.
I'm not ugly, and I think I dress appropriately. While I prefer to wear dress slacks, my boyfriend told me that I had to wear a skirt and a jacket (which I now do, but I am not that comfortable, as I feel my legs are fat). Also, I prefer to wear my long hair in a back bun for an interview, but he insists I should wear it long.
What am I doing wrong? I need a job soon, so I can start to pay back my loans and start my own life.
A. First of all, you don't mention what kind of career or job you are looking for, but since you mention you are in a suit, it can be assumed you are going for some kind of office environment. You ARE doing something right, as you do get the interview. However, it is not just your clothes that must be appropriate, but your attitude.
You already say you are not comfortable wearing skirts, so this probably comes through. While your boyfriend is well meaning, he is not the one interviewing you, nor is he the one on your interview. So you must dress how YOU feel is appropriate and comfortable. Dress slacks and jacket would be excellent. If your hair is long, a back bun is good. Or use a headband to keep your hair falling into your face, which might be happening if you wear it loose. The idea is to be clean, neat and tidy, as well as professional.
The most important feature an interviewer is looking to find is to see if you will fit into the place of work. Being very uncomfortable may translate to the interviewer that you are not confident about doing the work. So, wear clothes and hairstyle that makes you feel great!
The best person to ask how you can improve for the next interview IS the person who just interviewed you (not your boyfriend). Ask if you could contact that person whether you hear back from them or not, as you want to learn how to improve. This tells him that you realize you might not get the job, but want to understand why and what areas to improve upon.
It's probably just a matter of confidence. Listen to yourself, be confident - YOU got the interview, so you CAN get the job. Tell them what you can do for them. And you will get a job!
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Copyright March 22, 2008. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
