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We’ve all been there. An important interview for the job you always wanted – you know you’ve got the goods – but want to make a strong first impression. So what do you wear?
If its finance – well forget the Moschino cow print – its going to have to be a super conservative, stock standard chalk grey pin stripe with black tights and flats. If it’s Marketing or HR, a bit less conservative – something that says you have a sensitive but creative side. BUT if its fashion – well that is a whole new ball game.
For one of my colleagues in fashion, it all started with a phone call, a headhunter looking to fill a position with Ralph Lauren. At the time she was working for, Paul Smith, a British house, classic with a twist – a house which to my mind suited her to a T.
To the first interview, she wore a short, shift dress, in a vintage rayon boucle, with a paint-brush print in shades of green, grey and black. She paired it with green, sexy-granny heels.
This was accessorized with a very cute, single feather earring (not sure which ear) that a friend had made for her. It was a good look that anyone in the industry would agree was pretty much all -purpose, conservative enough to not strike fear and yet subtly edgy.
Before the second interview, my friend visited the Ralph Lauren showcase shops in Paris and took a wild stab at style thinking Prince of Wales would do the trick!
In lovely earth tones of brown and black, and short, puff, Victorian sleeves, the green aforementioned shoes (they really go with everything!) along with a maxi-cardigan in a rich grey. It was all ever so Ralph – except for the one, lonely, feather earring.
My friend was a hit with the HR Director, who ultimately offered her one important word of advice for the next interview which was, “wear black, and deep six the feather earring.”
On the next interview, she chose a velvet skirt with a subtle bustle, and an old cashmere v-neck. The feather was replaced with diamond studs. Her hair was coiffed in a low ponytail though she had afterwards spoke of regretting not opting for a low bun.
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This next meeting was with the European Director whose arrival could well have been signaled by the sounds of a fox horn calling the clan to the hunt. My friend assumed the horse was parked in the downstairs garage. The Director was all in black, but, unlike my friend, she seemed to own black.
At the end of the day holding up appearances for an interview was one thing but it was not at all clear that my friend was going to pull off the charade for a full-time job. In the final analysis she got the distinct impression that stylistically and potentially culturally she did not fit in.
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