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Interview is business casual, please help!
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 2010-03-11 6:37 PM |
Master  2429    Falls Church, Virginia |  Subject: Interview is business casual, please help!After many many years working with animals, I have a job interview coming up with the county public safety department for a 9-1-1 dispatcher. The interview letter says business casual. I only own scrubs and sweats, so I need to go shopping, and I'd like to do it on the cheap. Please help! |
| 2010-03-11 6:43 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Champion 6503   NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Do you have business business? |
| 2010-03-11 6:43 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Champion 5529 Nashville, TN | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! I would still overdress for the interview because you want to be professional. As a man, I would likely wear slacks, a button up and a sports coat. Upon arrival and seeing how casual others are, I would likely take off the jacket for the interview. I would suggest a nice pair of pants and maybe a button up blouse with 3/4 length sleeves |
| 2010-03-11 6:57 PM in reply to: #2721826 |
Master 2429 Falls Church, Virginia | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! pga_mike - 2010-03-11 7:43 PM Do you have business business? No. I've only worked at vet hospitals and dog daycare so I have piles and piles of scrubs. Sweatpants and race tshirts. |
| 2010-03-11 7:04 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Royal(PITA) 14270 West Chester, Ohio | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Business casual- a nice pair of khacki pants works with a well pressed shirt or nice lightweight sweater. No jeans or tennies....at least til you have the job. My workplace is casual and I wear jeans almost every day. |
| 2010-03-11 7:16 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Pro 4089 Without house | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Old Navy...I would suggest black slacks, a button down shirt and a cardigan. You should be able to find most of that at a pretty reasonable price there. Add some accessories (necklace, watch, earrings if you have them pierced), maybe a belt and you should be good to go! |
| 2010-03-11 7:31 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Regular 50 ohio | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Most of the guys in my area who work for 911, the police station, or fire station wear khaki slacks and a black or navy polo shirt. That being said this is the most casual I'd be dressed for an interview. |
| 2010-03-11 8:43 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Master 1531 TORONTO | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! I read once you should always dress for the job you want... not the job you have. I'd go with black trousers or a skirt and a nice top or sweater set. Nothing with a pattern (distracting in a bad way). Good luck!! |
| 2010-03-11 8:45 PM in reply to: #2721843 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Atlantia - 2010-03-11 6:57 PM pga_mike - 2010-03-11 7:43 PM Do you have business business? No. I've only worked at vet hospitals and dog daycare so I have piles and piles of scrubs. Sweatpants and race tshirts. Target. I would get a nice pair of black pants and black jacket to wear over a button up shirt. |
| 2010-03-11 9:11 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Champion 4942 Richmond, VA | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! |
| 2010-03-11 9:25 PM in reply to: #2721992 |
| Extreme Veteran 861 Northbridge, Massachusetts | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! KSH - 2010-03-11 6:45 PM Atlantia - 2010-03-11 6:57 PM Target. I would get a nice pair of black pants and black jacket to wear over a button up shirt. pga_mike - 2010-03-11 7:43 PM Do you have business business? No. I've only worked at vet hospitals and dog daycare so I have piles and piles of scrubs. Sweatpants and race tshirts. x2 |
| 2010-03-11 9:47 PM in reply to: #2721812 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Can you just borrow something from a friend at the animal store? I mean, i'm sure a co-worker would lend you something. or maybe just a sibling or close friend. I'd go with black or dark navy blue pants, and nice button down. Jacket is better but I wouldn't sweat that too much. |
| 2010-03-12 7:18 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Runner | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Women's business dress always confuses me, but I will always wear a suit and tie to an interview. That's my own personal standard, however. I would rather overdress than underdress when looking for a job. |
| 2010-03-12 7:50 AM in reply to: #2722315 |
Pro 4089 Without house | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Scout7 - 2010-03-12 7:18 AM Women's business dress always confuses me, but I will always wear a suit and tie to an interview. That's my own personal standard, however. I would rather overdress than underdress when looking for a job. Yeah...women's business business vs. business casual vs. going to the beach can appear to be rather subjective (I've had people think it was ok to wear capris...not so much. If you'd go to a picnic wearing it, don't wear it to work.) I based my post above on what I would have wanted to see at minimum when I was a manager. I was working in a business casual environment. As a manager interviewing someone I would want to see someone who was put together/coordinated, etc. If you come in looking sluppy, it would put a bad taste in my mouth. Oh, and FWIW, on all the interviews I've been on, I've always worn (at minimum) nice slacks and a blazer over a button-down shirt. |
| 2010-03-12 7:52 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Expert 1138 Texas (Houston area) | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! As evidenced by previous responses, on the cheap means different things to different people. That said, black slacks(slimming,  ) and a button up blouse with or without sweater or jacket would be a good choice. Whatever you choose, you are required to share with us the end result in the BT Girls thread since we helped you out.Right people?!er, guys. |
| 2010-03-12 8:11 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Master 2429 Falls Church, Virginia | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Thanks for all the replies, super helpful. I found some great black pants at Old Navy, although now I need to get some of that iron-on hemming stuff because they're too long. I'm a shorty, so that's a normal issue for me. Easily fixed. But they had no button down shirts, can you believe that? There's a Target across the street from my work, so I'm checking that out tonight. This first part of the interview is only the paper and pencil test, the panel interview doesn't come until after the computer test, polygraph, and background check. Again, thanks a bunch. All of my friends are out of state, and as a manager trying to jump ship at my current job, its nice to be able to share and ask questions. |
| 2010-03-12 8:23 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Extreme Veteran 837 Wellesley, Massachusetts | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! It's seems I'm late to the party here, but a black pencil skirt goes miles in a wardrobe. Also, I'm sure you know this, but if you wear perfume, please put on a small dose. Lots of people overload it when nervous and it's made me gag in the past. As well, if you have longer hair, either put up or do it in a way that you won't play with it. I used to work in head hunting for nonprofits and it amazed me how hair and perfume could play against a candidate. Also, simple jewelry, make-up etc. Bangles are bad- they make a lot of noise. This may seem super nit picky, but you never know who's going to be on the other side of the interview. And if you want to stand out a little, you can add a broach, scarf or other signature item that they might remember- other than the fantastic interview you give  Good luck! |
| 2010-03-12 10:23 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Target has very reasonably priced shoes (as well as pants and cardigans and button down shirts). $20-$30 for a nice looking pair of heels or flats. I love Target. |
| 2010-03-12 12:58 PM in reply to: #2722414 |
Expert 1288 Hatboro, PA | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Atlantia - 2010-03-12 9:11 AM Thanks for all the replies, super helpful. I found some great black pants at Old Navy, although now I need to get some of that iron-on hemming stuff because they're too long. I'm a shorty, so that's a normal issue for me. Easily fixed. But they had no button down shirts, can you believe that? There's a Target across the street from my work, so I'm checking that out tonight. This first part of the interview is only the paper and pencil test, the panel interview doesn't come until after the computer test, polygraph, and background check. Again, thanks a bunch. All of my friends are out of state, and as a manager trying to jump ship at my current job, its nice to be able to share and ask questions. I buy a lot of my work clothes at Target. My office is business casual and I can find reasonably priced pants and button downs at Target. If you get the job, I would see if you can get away with khakis and a long sleeve (or short sleeve depending on the season) cotton shirt. My job allows it and I can find nice cotton shirts in the $12-15 range at Eddie Bauer. The suggestion I have that is not listed in previous responses (that I saw) is to make sure you have closed-toe shoes. The shoes do not have to be expensive, just some nicer black shoes. I have seen people come for interviews at my office in open-toed sandals and it is a turn-off. Even though we can wear open-toe shoes as a part of the dress code, my belief is that one should dress up some for the interview. |
| 2010-03-12 1:36 PM in reply to: #2721862 |
Veteran 234 Newport News | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! maggyruth - 2010-03-11 8:16 PMOld Navy...I would suggest black slacks, a button down shirt and a cardigan. You should be able to find most of that at a pretty reasonable price there. Add some accessories (necklace, watch, earrings if you have them pierced), maybe a belt and you should be good to go! As a corporate recruiter I would find this very nicely done. A great place for ideas is LL Bean. Then go shop at Target PS If they ask you at the end if you have any questions have a few ready. Always good ones are benefits, retirement plans, extracurricular sports, charity etc. These are questions that will show that you want to contribute and are looking at the long term. The question that gets under my skin the most? “How soon can I take vacation” LOL you would be surprised how often I hear that! |
| 2010-03-16 7:41 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Master 2429 Falls Church, Virginia | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! I wound up with black pants and a blue 3/4 length sleeve blouse and a pair of black flats. I looked slightly better than most of the other twelve people there. Certainly much better than the woman with the elastic waist denim prairie skirt and cowboy boots with her McDonald's snack wrap all over the front of her tshirt. Once girl had a jacket, most of the men were in khakis and golf shirts. There was a tour, a big speech that was designed to scare people away from the job, and then about 90 minutes worth of testing. Some practical, like multitasking, and some sort of psychological. Got the call about four hours later...I'm going back next week for the computer based test! Round one is over. |
| 2010-03-16 8:06 AM in reply to: #2728495 |
Member 70 Toronto | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Well, done sounds like a great start. Best of luck with the rest of the process. |
| 2010-03-16 9:40 AM in reply to: #2721812 |
Pro 4089 Without house | Subject: RE: Interview is business casual, please help! Woot! Congratulations! Good luck on the next round. |
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