Interview Clothes!
Posted 03-24-2012 at 12:49 PM by LookinForMayberry
Thursday late afternoon I got a call from a recruiter asking about my resume, and she invited me to come and talk with her in person either Friday or Monday. Suddenly the images of my existing interview clothes crossed my mind -- 
-- and I hope I wasn't too transparent when I explained my Friday was booked (shopping), but Monday afternoon was wide open. We set the time and I scrambled to my closet.
The last time I interviewed for a job was 2005. I'd had plenty of work since then, but it was all contract work, arranged by one agency or another. I've put on a couple of sizes since '05, and well, fashions and the work cultures have changed, too.
Friday morning shortly after opening, I was at Macy's. A friend suggested going to their Inc. department and turning myself over to the expertise of one of the staff. It was a great suggestion! The pretty little woman (named Pretty) asked me a few questions, looked me over, and started walking me around to the racks, holding up one garment after another. Yes, no, no, definitely yes, and so on until her arms were full and she departed instructing me to continue browsing and she would start a room for me. I did, and follow a bit later with an armload of my own.
Over the next hour of continued change overs, swapping, sending back for another size, and so on, I left the room with four tops and told her I would probably come back for a pair of slacks, if I didn't find anything better. She recommended another department, where I went and repeated the process with another staff member. From there, on to JCP, for a repeat performance (without the help), and three hours later I had two pairs of slacks, and seven tops. On the way home I stopped into my shoe shop and got a new pair of shoes.
It's AMAZING how much better I feel about my job search, now that I know I have some presentable clothes to meet and greet potential employers, and make a good impression. Clothes DO make the woman!
-- and I hope I wasn't too transparent when I explained my Friday was booked (shopping), but Monday afternoon was wide open. We set the time and I scrambled to my closet. The last time I interviewed for a job was 2005. I'd had plenty of work since then, but it was all contract work, arranged by one agency or another. I've put on a couple of sizes since '05, and well, fashions and the work cultures have changed, too.
Friday morning shortly after opening, I was at Macy's. A friend suggested going to their Inc. department and turning myself over to the expertise of one of the staff. It was a great suggestion! The pretty little woman (named Pretty) asked me a few questions, looked me over, and started walking me around to the racks, holding up one garment after another. Yes, no, no, definitely yes, and so on until her arms were full and she departed instructing me to continue browsing and she would start a room for me. I did, and follow a bit later with an armload of my own.
Over the next hour of continued change overs, swapping, sending back for another size, and so on, I left the room with four tops and told her I would probably come back for a pair of slacks, if I didn't find anything better. She recommended another department, where I went and repeated the process with another staff member. From there, on to JCP, for a repeat performance (without the help), and three hours later I had two pairs of slacks, and seven tops. On the way home I stopped into my shoe shop and got a new pair of shoes.
It's AMAZING how much better I feel about my job search, now that I know I have some presentable clothes to meet and greet potential employers, and make a good impression. Clothes DO make the woman!
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Oh, good for you! Attitude is EVERYTHING in a job hunt, and you've just done a dynamite job of boosting your attitude - it'll really show in that interview.
I read a novel once that referred to clothing as a form of armor. When one's garments are old, shabby, out-of-style and unattractive, it is as if you were going to battle with holes in your armor, while having a wardrobe that fits well and flatters the wearer is analogous to having shiny, sturdy armor that protects you in battle. Kudos for polishing up your armor that way!
Sending good thoughts your way for Monday's interview!Posted 03-25-2012 at 07:52 AM by 7G9C4J2
