One Dress, Four Ways: Job Interview Outfits (Part 4)

This is the fourth and final week of the Marks & Spencer Blogger Style Challenge I’m competing in – at the time of writing I was one of the winners of both week one AND two (the third week’s winners are yet to be announced)… I’m so stoked! And not just because of the two wins but because you guys have left such wonderful comments and are so supportive… Thank you everyone! I’m featured on the M&S Stories website with the other weekly winners if you want to take a look.

To recap: M&S have given me a dress of my choice that I have to create four outfits for different job interview scenarios around, depending on the brief they’ve given me (and four other female bloggers) in a prize competition. Click here to see all four of my entry posts together, the others being “Creative but Classy”, “Stepping up the Career Ladder” and “Just Graduated”.

By next week there’ll be two winners – one male and one female (there are five male bloggers taking part as well) – I’m so excited, and would absolutely love to win… fingers crossed for me?! To see all the Marks & Spencer dresses I chose from, click on this link to their dresses page.

Final Challenge: Back to Work

The brief: Interview wear for a yummy mummy going for an office based job after a career break

I thought this was a really great brief, as I can imagine that going for an interview after being out of the job market for a while would be pretty daunting (I suspect many readers may well have been in this situation)? What you wear would play a big part in helping you feel calm, comfortable and confident.

My idea was to go bold and bright – this way I should be very memorable after the interview (“she was the one wearing the bright stripes”), and the punches of black and colour would give me the confidence I’d need if I hadn’t stepped inside an office for several years. I avoided florals or soft colours as I’d want to send subliminal messages that this girl is bold, determined, and not a pushover…!

I think I probably deliberated over the accessories more for this brief than the other three put together. Tights seemed appropriate so I went for a sheer/ribbed/fishnet style that gives the impression of sheers but with a more interesting pattern (and less likely to rip); high black platforms show that I may be a mum, but I haven’t lost my sense of style or femininity; nude nails and a bold ring with a brooch at the neck (I tried on most of my necklaces but none looked right) make a bold statement but work with the outfit rather than fight against it. That’s the theory, anyway – what do you all think?

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So that’s my four weeks of job interview outfits done! I have really, enjoyed this challenge – considering the job market and the economy at the moment I think it was a really timely and worthwhile idea that Marks & Spencer came up with. I didn’t realise I would enjoy styling challenges quite as much as I have… it’s given me a lot of inspiration for projects of my own, setting myself mini challenges now and then for new posts! So now I just have to wait to see who is the overall winner =eeek= I’ll keep you guys posted! If you Follow Me on Twitter you’ll be the first to hear – cross your fingers and toes for me?!!!

Job interview tip no.4

It is so important to have a firm handshake. It always amazes me the number of limp handshakes I have experienced as an interviewer. Job interview tips always say have a firm handshake – but many people still insist on dishing out a limp one; it’s an immediate turn-off. My advice is to practice yours on a burly family member, friend or neighbour, and ask their opinion. If they think it’s fine, you’re good to go 🙂

Dress: courtesy of Marks & Spencer, Cardigan: Borrowed from my sister (H&M), Shoes: ASOS, Brooch: Unknown, Bag: Next, Tights: Unknown, Ring: New Look, Watch: Red Herring at Debenhams, Nails: Revlon Elegant