Preparation and Pencil Skirts: Keys to Job Interview Success

Landing a job interview in today’s competitive job market is pretty difficult; actually being offered the position is another task within itself. Initially, all that matters is what you present on a sheet of paper. From resumes to cover letters, at first glance, there isn’t much to compare you against other than the credentials you list versus those of your competition.

We know there’s more to a person than where they’ve received their degree or what jobs they’ve had in the past…it’s a small part of the story as a whole that we write in life. The WRITTEN Woman is phenomenal in all aspects of life, and we believe everyone should know that from the moment she walks in the door. While a WRITTEN pencil skirt may turn heads the second you walk into any room, who’s to say that same statement can’t be made in a job  interview setting. After all, the WRITTEN Woman was born to stand out, never blend in.  

We’ve got the wardrobe to ace your job interview in style, however, we must admit, there are many things to consider when putting your best stiletto forward. Here’s a few tips on mastering your next job interview so that the only thing you have to worry about once you leave is where to book that paid vacation you have coming your way.

Kill Em’ With Style

Rival of the little black dress, our Blanche pencil skirt will help you rock your next interview!

Even with a college degree, getting a job is no easy task, but I’ve found making a good first impression is crucial; yes my friends, part of that is how you present yourself. For guys, this comes off as a pretty easy task when it comes to dressing for a job interview; wear a nice pair of pants, a wrinkle-free dress shirt, nice tie, and well groomed hair and you’ve got your basics covered.

For some unknown that I can’t quite seem to figure out, however, ladies have a bit more of a challenge when it comes to dress and perception of professionalism within the workplace. From dresses to trousers and power suits, women have an extensive array of wardrobe options to choose from when preparing for a job interview. This can be a blessing and a curse all at the same time…I mean who has time to change 5 different times…meeting a potential new employer is already nerve wracking enough, right? If there’s one tip and one tip only to follow it’s this: When you want to stand out from the tens of others in the lobby waiting to steal YOUR job, there’s no better option than an exclusive WRITTEN statement pencil skirt (insert shameless plug here).

What do other future women of the world have to say about their job interview style? Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with a few female students soon to be graduating from Coe College. When asked about their typical interview attire, here’s what a few of the ladies had to say.

Haley Resnick (Junior, Majoring in Biology): Resnick insisted that she believes pencil skirts are a great idea for job interviews. In fact, she listed pencil skirts as her number one choice for interview attire. Ms. Resnick likes to dress her pencil skirts with black tights, black closed-toed heels, and a bold top to stand out from the crowd… sounds like the attitude of a future WRITTEN Woman to me! Resnick favored the WRITTEN Blanche pencil skirt.

Janise Lane (Senior, Majoring in English and Sociology): There was no doubt for Lane that pencil skirts should be worn to a job interview as she listed them made reference to them as “very professional”. When wearing pencil skirts, Lane likes to wear a tucked in white blouse, “sensible shoes”, and clean accessories. The WRITTEN Blanche, Li, and Esther skirts were most liked by Lane.

Kaitlin Fosler (Senior, Majoring in Business Administration & Organizational Science): For Ms. Fosler, pencil skirts were a valuable option for job interviews, but lacked the ease of dress pants or a dress. She attributed liking to wear dresses because of its simplicity, “just one piece of clothing and you’re good to go”. From the WRITTEN lineup, Fosler was a huge fan of the Blanche and Daphne pencil skirts.

Olivia Oppelt (Senior, Majoring in Nursing): Oppelt explained that pencil skirts are typically a good option, but one must pay special attention to the details in order to maintain professionalism. Oppelt stated that, “Pencil skirts are not a bad idea for a job interview as long as they are not too short and you must wear tights/leggings beneath for professionalism”. As a future WRITTEN Woman, Oppelt’s go-to skirt would be the WRITTEN Blanche textured pencil skirt.

Time to Ace The Interview

Now I’m no expert when it comes to interviews, in a recent article from quora.com shared via inc.com I came across some valuable expertise when it comes to the subject. Sometimes we can use our mistakes as valuable learning lessons, however, let’s not get in a habit of making a job interview the time and place for these lessons. Learn from the lessons of others and come prepared the next time you have an important interview opportunity by following these steps:

1. Prepare yourself for the “Tell us about yourself Question”: How awesome would it be just to walk in with your WRITTEN pencil skirt and hear “You’re hired!” Unfortunately, that’s not how the real world works. While making yourself look presentable is very important, preparation is key as well…no matter how many times you’ve interviewed for a job before.
2. Use real-life examples to illustrate your answers: Telling stories about your personal experience is how employers are able to distinguish you from the crowd. After all, isn’t that why you’re wearing a WRITTEN original in the first place? Contrary to speaking in generalities, using real-life examples increases your chances of being remembered post-interview and that’s a winning formula for landing that job.
3. Portfolios aren’t only for artists: Instead of telling employers what you’ve done before, how about showing them. Always have on hand a few tangible samples of past work. Wouldn’t it be nice to showcase your skills as opposed to repeating what is already written on your resume?
4. Have your own questions prepared: Interviews are supposed to be a two-way street. If there isn’t evidence from you that shows your level of interest in the job aside for attaining a paycheck, chances are you won’t be hired. Employers are constantly turning down applications from plenty of qualified people daily. If you are lucky enough to make it to the interview process, you should show your gratitude by showing a real interest in the company. For help in brainstorming questions to ask, career coach Lori Bumgarner, has some tips for you!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned while interning for WRITTEN in the past few weeks, it’s that we’re about more than just producing pencil skirts. Part of wearing our skirts is feeling empowered and knowing that you have the qualities to be whoever you want to be. So, the next time you have a job interview, keep in mind some of the tips we’ve shared with you today and channel your inner WRITTEN Woman persona. We have confidence in you that you’ll nail it and that corner office will be yours in no time.

The post Preparation and Pencil Skirts: Keys to Job Interview Success appeared first on Written.