I had just said something in another thread about looking professional on the job, and it reminded me that I myself am now officially in the job market. Vocational Rehabilitation has referred me to two local agencies that help people with disabilities in their job search, and I am to call them tomorrow for appointments. This causes me to wonder what the rules are nowadays, and how they differ from what I was taught in college. Understand that I was a business major, and business was the theme of the "professional development" class I was taking toward my degree. Further understand that this was the 1980's. I'm sure the rules are out of date now. Questions, how *far* out of date? And what are the rules now?

Here's what they told me. When going on a job interview, there is a strict uniform, and if you deviate from it, you likely won't get the job. For a woman, the uniform is:

• Skirt suit, navy or navy pinstripe. No other color permissible. No black, gray, red, green, white, or whatever. Not if you want to be hired.
• Flesh-colored hose if the person interviewing you is a man, navy hose if the interviewer is a woman. (Yes, it actually made a difference. A woman would be looking for the continuous line of color, and consider that a professional appearance, while a man would be looking for traditional dress.)
• Shoes, pumps. Navy, of course, to match the suit. No open toes. Heels had to be present--no flats--but not too high. One woman back then told the class she had actually been passed over for a promotion because she wore flats to work, and management didn't think it was professional enough. At the same time, it was also said that high heels are appropriate only if you are a secretary and wish to remain one.
• Navy handbag to match everything else, and a briefcase with an extra copy of your resume in it. The interviewer might suddenly pretend to have a question about your resume and want to refer to it, but "I don't have it in front of me--would you happen to have an extra copy?" This is a test question. If you don't have that extra copy, you don't get the job.
• Hair conservative. Not short enough to look butch, but up off the shoulders if it's longer than shoulder length.
• Makeup not extreme, of course, but absolutely required. (Yes, I actually got bad marks on "hygiene" once, and when I asked about it, it turned out the only reason for it was that I wasn't wearing makeup. Geez, they made it sound like I hadn't showered, or something.)
• If you have anything pierced other than one hole in each earlobe, take it all out except only one set of earrings. Then make sure they are studs, buttons, or small hoops. No big jewelry pieces. No more than one ring on each hand. (Bridal sets--the engagement ring and wedding ring together--count as one ring.) Nail polish colorless, or light-colored neutral-toned.

Note that for a man, the rules were just as strict. Navy suit, socks match the pants, neutral (black or gray) belt matches the shoes. The accessory rules didn't apply except to say DON'T wear makeup or jewelry. While women could wear one set of earrings, men were not allowed piercings. Cover up tattoos.

OK, there it is. I wonder, if I showed up to an interview nowadays following that 1980's "dress for success" look, would it still score me any points, or would it scream "old lady who hasn't worked in years"?

[carrie_ann]

Originally Posted by LovebirdsFlying

• Flesh-colored hose if the person interviewing you is a man, navy hose if the interviewer is a woman. (Yes, it actually made a difference. A woman would be looking for the continuous line of color, and consider that a professional appearance, while a man would be looking for traditional dress.)

hmm ... a bit confused by this one. my last interview was a panel of three, two men and one woman ... so i'd need hose with one leg flesh-colored and one leg navy?

Originally Posted by carrie_ann

hmm ... a bit confused by this one. my last interview was a panel of three, two men and one woman ... so i'd need hose with one leg flesh-colored and one leg navy?

Daughter says an interview with a panel of two men and one woman means you would need half of one leg covered in navy hose, and the rest in flesh tone.

And I add: Colors divided vertically, I suppose, since that woman is looking for the continuous line.

On my Facebook page where I also posted this, a friend responds:

And this is why I don't (and will never) seek employment in an office....and I won't until the requirements are equal...if a woman is required to wear pantyhose, skirt, heels, and make up....then a man should be too.

[*freak*]

LOL, thanks for the laugh, guys

I don't think this will be of much help, but to the very few interviews I went, I wore black. All my clothes are black, but the ones I wear every day have skulls or reapers or other unacceptable stuff on them. Wearing plain black cothes that could be considered somewhat elegant by a little stretch of one's imagination was as far as I went And no, I didn't remove my nose piercing.

Seriously though, I do think the rules they taught you in college are outdated. Think of the movies or TV-shows when they show job interviews: no one is dressed exactly like that. I think the only requirement is that you look sharp. But it also depends on what job you're applying for... Insurance company or tattoo parlour will have very different standards I guess

[IceCreamKid]

Dress neatly and appropriately for the type of job you want. Interesting thing about color; if a company has colors associated with it, I'd try to have something in that color on my person: scarf or shirt or earring studs, etc. You want to make it easy for the interviewers to envision you being part of the team.

[Nicks_Nose]

I applied for a fashion supervisor position and they want simplicity but a bit of colour or bling in fashion. I applied for restaurant and they do not want a business suit and skirt. They want black work pants and a tidy shirt with hands clean (especially under the nails). I applied at a social programs community centre, and they were in jeans and yoga pants. As Freak said, it depends on what you are applying for.

[-jimi-]

If I had to wear what is described, I'd go into a full blown panic attack. Seriously.

[DenisDonnacha]

like others said it depends, for most IT companies you'll get away with pants, shirt and a tie and a clean pair of shoes, no suit jacket needed and the colours I've seen at IT job interviews is usually grey or navy pants and almost always a light blue shirt.

[CastlesInTheAir]

I need to go shopping! lmao!

[Fresia]

This has reminded me that in job hunting soon, I need to make sure my suits still fit. It has been so long since I have worn them but I will be interviewing for jobs that will require them not for the job as I will be wearing scrubs and lab coat, but for interviewing it will be appropriate. Thanks for this and off to the closet.