Transcript WHAT NOT TO WEAR: MLA INTERVIEW EDITION Susannah Cleveland Mark A. Puente Misti Shaw.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR:
MLA INTERVIEW EDITION
Susannah Cleveland
Mark A. Puente
Misti Shaw
DON’T BE
“ONE-DATE
DEBBIE.”
“One-Date Debbie,” Sixteen
Magazine, 11, no. 2 (July, 1969):
21.
GUIDELINES
Have at least two
interview-ready
outfits available at
all times.
GUIDELINES
Be dressed for the
interview from the
moment you arrive.
(You are probably not
Michelle Obama.)
GUIDELINES
Dress for the
climate.
GUIDELINES
Select clothes that are tasteful and that
don’t distract from your professional
qualifications.
GUIDELINES
Check
your fit.
very fit
bodybuilder
(
)
THE BLAZER
QUESTION
Ladies, you don’t have
to wear a blazer. For
reals.
GUIDELINES
Practice wearing your interview
clothes.
GUIDELINES
“But I’m a
cataloger.”
-pettyartist, http://pettyartist.deviantart.com/art/I-may-befrumpy-149813394
GOOD (OBVIOUS) ADVICE
Before you have an interview scheduled, consider:
1. Do you have clothing appropriate to the position, industry,
company, and department in which you are seeking a job?
2. Is this clothing in excellent condition: clean, neat, in impeccable
repair, and not obviously “dated”?
-Marco Dorio, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Job Interview ([New York: Alpha
Books, 2009): 52
SO-SO ADVICE
“In the real world…an employer’s decision to hire is to
a significant degree influenced by feelings—and one of
those feelings is that you will ‘fit in.’ So go ahead: walk
in the door already suited up as a member of the team.”
-Marco Dorio, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Job Interview
([New York]: Alpha Books, 2009): 53
DANGEROUS
ADVICE
“Dress as if you
already work there.”
( actual librarian at work)
DANGEROUS
ADVICE
“Dress for the job
you really want.”
Dressed as
dean
BETTER ADVICE
“You want to dress one level above what you
would normally wear on the job every day.”
-Katy Pietrowski, Career Coward’s Guide to Interviewing (Indianapolis: JIST
Works, 2007), s.v. “Build Your Confidence Inside and Out,” e-book.
FOR REFERENCE
Find some good and relevant advice in:
Barkley, Daniel. “Live and In-Person: Get Ready to
Meet the Entire Library Family.” In How to Stay
Afloat in the Academic Library Pool, edited by Teresa Y.
Neely and Camila A. Alire, 83-96. Chicago:
American Library Association, 2011. e-book.
AND FOR INSPIRATION
http://www.pinterest.com/panashstyle/alternative-job-interview-attire/
JUST SAY
NO!!!!
To pleated, too-long
Dockers with a blue
polyester blazer
SLEEVES
TOO LONG
Get a tailor!
WELLFITTED
SHOULDERS
“Her name is Rio and
she dances on the
sand…”
WATCH
YOUR
PATTERNS!
Don’t be afraid to
show a little bit of
flare
WATCH
YOUR
PATTERNS!
Novelty ties are
NEVER
a good idea
FACIAL
JEWELRY/TA
TOOS
Depends on context,
but consider balance
SHOW YOUR
FLAIR
Scarves: Not just for
Art Librarians
SHOW YOUR
FLAIR
“Professional” does
not mean “boring.”
PUTTING
YOUR BEST
FOOT
FORWARD
Invest in some shoe
trees
PUTTING
YOUR BEST
FOOT
FORWARD
Invest in some shoe
trees
WA R D RO B E A N D O T H E R T I P S
 http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/09/25/good-fitted-suitvisual/
 http://www.pinterest.com/livecareer/interview-outfits-for-gents/
 http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/how-dress-your-jobinterview/
WARDROBE TIPS
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
SWEAT
 If you sweat a lot, avoid polyester
 Choose natural fabrics when possible
 Clinical strength deodorant is NOT prescription strength
 Choose Certain Dri for OTC prescription strength
 If you do sweat through your sleeves, relax.
It happens!
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
LEGS
 Slingbacks are dangerous.
 Unlined skirt with tights creates static.
Wear a slip!
 Wear your dress/tights combo to work for a test run on static.
 Nude sheer hosiery is JUST FINE. Lawyers, CEOs, and other
professional women still wear them.
If it’s g ood enough for Princess
K ate…
It’s good enough
for us.
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
ILL-FITTING CLOTHING
 Avoid the “shmedium” shirt
 Slim-fit shirts aren’t the only option
 Or: size up, and have the shirt
tailored.
This is a standard job for a tailor
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
ILL-FITTING CLOTHING
 Avoid bosom button gap.
 Solution 1: Have a tailor sew
invisible snaps for reinforcement.
 Solution 2: Leave unbuttoned,
wear cami underneath.
 Solution 3: Size up, have a tailor
take in with darts and reseaming.
A SHIRT TAKEN IN…
Seams were
added in back…
Could also be
done in front,
under bust
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
ILL-FITTING CLOTHING
Poufy voluminous tuck-ins can be fixed with tailoring!
before
after
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
ILL-FITTING CLOTHING
Fix floppy collars with collar stays
POTENTIAL PITFALLS:
ILL-FITTING CLOTHING
 If your shirt comes with plastic stays, swap them for metal
 If your shirt doesn’t come with inserts for collar stays, get them
“installed” by a tailor
 If you really want to look sharp, use stays with magnets
 This is best for the shirt-no-tie look.
C O L L A R S TAY S W I T H M AG N E T S
FINISHING TOUCHES
 Iron your clothes, especially the knee creases from the hanger.
 The shower method doesn’t work on most wrinkles.
 If you wear aftershave, bold deodorant, or lotion, apply it at least
20 minutes before your first interview meeting. Let it fade…
 If perfume makes you feel great, wear it sparingly.
 Use the Outside Grandma method: Grandma says if you can smell
yourself outdoors, it’s too much perfume. Don’t hurt Grandma.
MITIGATING DISASTERS
 Tide sticks work.
 White handkerchiefs for brow sweat, spills, scuffs, vampire bites,
and more.
 Carry a scarf to hide giant food globs or beverage stains.
 In winter, consider packing bottle of Static Guard.
 Consider packing dry shampoo (spray kind) to add body/life to
limp hair in event of bad water pressure.
MITIGATING DISASTERS
For your interview, carry a bag with a few pockets to stuff some
key items:
 A small travel umbrella.
 If you have pets, pack a lint roller, or be extra vigilant in de-linting
before you pack.
 Women: pack a spare pair of hosiery if you’re prone to snags.
 If you guzzle coffee and tea, pack breath mints. NEVER GUM
DEAR GOD NEVER GUM.
MITIGATING DISASTERS
 Consider a travel emergency kit, which includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
safety pin
needle, black/white thread, black & clear buttons
1 each of Tylenol, Benadryl, Immodium, Pepto
Tide stick
Wisp disposable toothbrush & breath mint
Band-aid
Multipurpose towelette
EMBRACE YOUR INNER
BEYONCÉ /JAMES BOND
 Confidence reigns supreme. Wear what makes you FEEL like a
winner, like a baller, like you deserve that job.
 No one loses the job because of button gap or floppy collars.
 Play that motivating song, look in the mirror, put your hands on
your hips, flash your best Blue Steel, and stomp down the hallway
that you definitely own.
FEEL *THIS* CONFIDENT