[Sleepy]

I have a job interview next Thursday!!!! YIKES! I don't know what I am supposed to wear or if I should be tying my hair back or something. It isn't a big corp or anything actually what the job is, is checking medical claims at home. First I have the interview that includes a freakin typing test (I can type fast posting but not sure if I am copying something lol), if I pass those then I bring my HD in and they are going to add their software so I can connect to their computers from home. I can work any hours I need to which is VERY cool. I will still be taking care of my daughter, my niece, all the house stuff, all the outside stuff, studying for my A+ certification AND this! :eek: I have no clue how I will pull it all off but I know I can do it and will just have to give up some sleep ;) So my question is what does one wear to an interview like this? I haven't worked for pay in about 7 years, I don't own ANY dress clothes except my funeral dress :D but I think thats a little *too* dressed up. I don't know what to do! Any suggestions PLEASE would be so greatly appreciated :)

[Col. Mustard]

I don't qualify as a lady or a mom, but I am responsible for hiring people. Probably the key impressions you can make are neatness and the sense that the interview is important to you; no jeans, t-shirts, etc. If you have, or can buy, a simple, unflashy, midlength dress, it probably would be appropriate. Since it is an at-home job the dress is not likely to be crucial, but the above impressions are. Keep the hair, jewelry etc., simple.

Of course, you could wear the funeral dress, just to let him know you're "dying" to get the job.

Sorry.

[Sleepy]

LOL!!!!!!!! Clueless!!!!! That was a good line!

Will keep that in mind, thank you VERY much!

[Sir Knight]

Last time I checked, I wasn't a Mom or a lady but I am a Father who works from home 60% of the time and I have a small technical staff that I lead. So, while I do not make the final hiring decisions, I am involved in hiring interviews and MOST (not all) of the time, the hiring manager listens to my recommendations.

In addition to the already given advise, look people in the eye but don't stare because that will make them uncomfortable. Be honest ... which means that it's okay to say something negative but always try to end your answers on a positive note.

Smile a lot so that you appear friendly but not with one of those big fake smiles unless it comes naturally to you.

Go to the library and borrow one of those resume writing books and look for sample "thank you / follow up" letters. Pick one out, modify it and type it up leaving as little out as possible. After the interview is over, go home right away, fill in the missing pieces and send the letter out. If they offer you the job right there on the spot, you can obviously skip this step.

Be sure to ask when you can expect to hear back regarding their decision if you are not offered the job right away. If you don't hear back by the date that they said, wait a day or two and give them a call.

By the way, this might not be important but the women that I work with (as well as my wife and sister-in-laws) rarely wear dresses -- they usually wear a skirt with a blouse.

Finally, try not to be nervous. If you're nervous, that will make them uncomfortable and you want them to feel comfortable with you.

If I think of anything else, I'll come back and post some more. Good luck and let us know how things work out.

[Ramangel]

Sandy,
I am a lady & a mom but I haven't worked in a while. :)

The skirt & blouse sound like a safe bet.
Since your hair is so long I would wear it pulled back in a barrette or up in a clip. But no ponytail :D

[Sleepy]

Rammy you already have 156 posts! I can tell you don't work ;) :D

I wear it up in a barette almost everyday, so I guess Ill just go as is but won't ratt it out :D

My sister said to go ahead and borrow something of hers. I opened her closet and :eek: I don't think the dept stores carry that many clothes! So I will find some dorky outfit for just that day. I am just so not used to this what so ever. However I was thinking of applying over at Hooters so my sisters outfits will be way better than those things! :D

Thanks for the advice Alan, I am taking everyones posts into consideration. I realize I sound like some kid out of high school but I wasn't sure what has changed since I last worked. I just need this job for now, once I get my certification then I can move on to a real job plus the kiddies will be in school full time. :)

[Ramangel]

Sandy,
Yeah, skip the ratting it out part :D
That was nice of your sister to offer you her clothes to wear :)
Just don't pick the Hooters outfit :p

[Ottergal]

Sandy, first of all, congrats on the interview! This is a big step...I'm proud of you, girlfriend! :D

You've gotten great advice here. As for the clothes, when in doubt, go conservative over flashy and trendy. Skirts and blouses are always a safe bet, but make sure the skirt is a length that you are comfortable sitting in without worrying that you are revealing more about yourself than you care to! :eek:

Pulling your hair back in a clip is perfect.

Be yourself. You have a lot to offer, be confident. Don't be afraid to say you don't know something, but you are willing to learn. They will respect your honesty.

And this is just my opinion, but I think this fad of professional women not wearing nylons looks really tacky. I don't care if you have the nicest legs in the world (and face it, most of us don't). I don't wear them everyday, certainly not with my casual dresses and skirts. But if the situation and outfit call for nylons, I wear 'em. Yes they are a royal PITA, but I think it is worth it. That is just my opinion though.

Definitely skip the hooters outfit! :eek: :D

[Cindy]

Sandy, I always wear a dark skirt and whit shirt, preferably with a long-sleeved dark jacket or shirt over it....I would make a longer post, but Ricky is having a cryong attack right now, gotta go!

[ForeverThere]

Hi Sandy!

Everything written above is RIGHT ON!

I always go for the "extra credit" though! I type the application, carry a confident (but not egotistical) smile and show a warm heart!

As for the extra credit...if you have a "great work area" at home - make sure it looks great, take a picture of it and take the photo with you! There will be the appropriate moment you can show it to whoever is interviewing you...with a comment like: This work space will be conducive for the work you would like me to do! You might also want to have a small schedule of the time and hours of the day that you plan on doing their work! That will impress them too - that you've thought AHEAD!

(You might also want to suggest, that if warranted - you would be willing to get an additional phone line in, just to accommodate "conversation" between your computer and their main frame?)

Once, I was hired, because I said to the fellow - Your Desk needs to be organized! (yea, it was a mess)! I also asked him why he didn't have plants in his office, ('cause most Executives had plants).

Not that you need those examples, but to give you an idea of why some are hired and some are NOT!

AND, a firm handshake (believe it or not) is an asset! Don't laugh - a weak, flimsy handshake or none at all is still INappropriate in today's working world!

You'll do fine - just be comfortable and put them at their ease! AND no question is "dumb" - they'll be impressed that you are actually concerned with doing more than adequate job!

Just have fun - any interview is an EXPERIENCE that money cannot buy, but will add to your confidence level (when it really counts) in the future!

Respectfully Submitted:
ForeverThere

[Cindy]

Oh, yeah, I was gonna say the same as Otter about the pantyhose, a lot of people don't wear then to work anymore, but I think at an interview, it is a "must." It looks a lot mor professional. And, I think your hair would look very nice either pulled back in a clip or in a braid.

Good luck, Sandy, this sounds like a great opprtunity for you. I think with you open and friendly personality, you have a great chance of getting the job. And bringing an extra resume is a good idea, too!

*Cindy crossing fingers* :)

[mrsMTN]

Where have I been?? That's my JOB! However, I can't add anything, because you have gotten excellent advice, and lots of it.
Good luck! It sounds wonderful.

[loknload]

Sandy, good Luck with the job interview ;)

[Ottergal]

Wow...we sure are a helpful bunch aren't we?? :D

As for pantyhose, you know they had to be invented by a man. :mad: I'd like to see them go thru the pantyhose battle every day...they couldn't handle it! :p

[loknload]

Gee Otter, why blame a man, What's the big deal with getting dressed? Women, They just always need to have something to complain about :eek: It never ends :rolleyes:

[ForeverThere]

Hi Sandy!

Good Luck Thursday, what time is the interview? Have you made a decision as to what to wear and how to wear your hair?

~ForeverThere :)

[Sleepy]

LNL dearest, You MEN make us complain :D

Foreverthere, I have to switch the interview to Monday now and not sure what time yet. Kinda picked out a few things but still hate them all :D I'll let you know what I went with after the interview. If I don't get it, either Hooters or Home Depot here I come! :D

[ForeverThere]

Hi Sandy!

Not that you asked, but "what's meant to be is meant and nothing in all the world is going to change that!"

With that in mind, wear something you feel comfortable and confident!

Also, you, yourself (after actually seeing what is required), might decide that you much rather get out in the world to earn the money, instead of staying home! Yet, who will take care of your daughter?

Hooter's tips would be a hoot - but the discounts and benefits at HomeDepot are sometmes worth their weight in gold!

Still, good luck!

~ForeverThere :)

[Sleepy]

LOL Foreverthere! You are absolutely right! Don't have a sitter for the little one however she will be in first grade in Sept so that will help. I have a friend that works at Hooters and she makes great money and the hours are really flexiable. The outfits aren't bad either, I always thought they were alot worse but went in myself and its just a tshirt and them shorts and they give you nylons (THANK YOU MALES! :p). Wherever I go I am not going to worry as I am working on that A+ certification and already have a job lined up in the future for that (and my sister will be my boss :D). So what happens , happens I won't lose sleep over it :)

[Bubba]

Can anyone other than me just see Ober about to bust a gusset over NOT saying anything to Sandy about the Hooters job?? This has got to be KILLIN him not to say anything. :D :D :D

Bubba

[loknload]

Hey Sandy, If you take a job at Hooters, you can send everyone a Chicago Hooters calender :eek:

[Sleepy]

The more I am thinking about this the more I am wondering what YOUR hooters chains looks like out there :eek: Its pretty clean here just so you all know that. However I can see myself working there for one week and end up spilling hot coffee on some pervert then getting fired :) Sandy needs to buy a new knife :)

Ober knows better, hes been hit with the cluebat enough ;)

LNL...you surely aren't that innocent bystander we all thought you were are you? :p

[loknload]

Sandy,Sandy,Sandy Our Hooters "Restaurant" is no different from the one out
there :rolleyes:
And their calenders are nothing more then very attractive young ladies attired in very tasteful swimsuits, Very innocent just like me :p

[stu]

LnL- Ya know, if you made it to EOSMII you'd get to see Sandy in her Hooters outfit. http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forums/icons/icon10.gif

[loknload]

Sure... and get a personally autographed calender to! http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/otn/shocked/Wow1.gif

[KMDO]

:)