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A dress from your potential employer's brand is a fashionable
and put-together idea for an interview. |
At this point in our lives, we all know the basics of job
interviews: bring a resume, look your interviewer in the eye and be confident.
Another general rule we all know about interviews is to dress up.
Whether you are applying for job at a fast food restaurant
or interviewing for your dream corporate job, the usual rule of thumb is look
professional to show you are serious about your potential job. Dress pants and
a blazer or jacket are the go-to items for most interviews.
But there is one industry in which a standard black business
suit may not be the best way to go in an interview: the fashion industry.
Working in retail is about modeling the store’s style. Some
stores, such as Hollister or Abercrombie, even call their employers “floor
models”. Yes, the title may be a little disturbing and makes it sound like an
employee is just a live mannequin, but it makes sense. They want their employees
to be able to be live representations of the clothes they sell and show how
well the clothes can be worn.
So when interviewing for a job in retail, you can receive
extra points if your outfit represents the company’s style and brand. It shows
you already have an understanding of the company and will be a great asset. So
I have compiled a few tips on how to make your first impression at a retail
store interview a stylish and successful one.
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Bringing in several brands to complement your
focal point shows your styling skills. |
First, let me make this clear: I am not saying to dress
casual. It is still an interview and you want to be respectful by not showing
up in jeans and a t-shirt. If the store is popular its casual wear, try finding
a button-down or a pretty blouse. Pair either blouse with slim-fitted dress
pants and closed-toe heels. It is probably best to stay away from jeans, as
they are the symbol of casual dress. However, if the store is very popular for
denim, it may not hurt to wear dark wash or black skinny jeans with the nice
top and heels or boots.
When thinking about what to wear, think about what the store
sells. Look at the website to get an idea of who they sell to and to find examples
of how to piece together their garments.
Also, try searching on the Internet for advice from people
who have interviewed with the store you are going for. There are plenty of
websites where insiders will tell you what type of style a store is looking for
in potential new workers.
It also helps to go into the store and see how the current
employees dress. At many retail stores, the workers have to wear garments from
the store. Seeing how they style their own clothes will give you an idea of
what the store is looking for.
Some say it is helpful if you actually wear a garment from
that company. However, do not go overboard and wear one brand head-to-toe. You
want to show the employer what you can bring to the company; so showing that
you can incorporate a store’s garments into your personal style can be
beneficial.
So, whether you are making a career out of fashion or you
are just looking for a part-time job at American Eagle, how you dress for the
interview can help or hinder you. Find a way to be professional, but go further
than a basic black suit. Think about the type of style the store promotes and
let that be your inspiration to your look. Now go rock that interview.
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When one thinks of lace, things like Southern ladies’ gloves or vintage embroideries may come to mind – or maybe those horrible church socks your mother made you wear.
The lacy trend is here to add a little mystery to the explosive skin-bearing phenomenon that came out last year. With stores like Brandy Melville celebrating bare midriffs with their many cropped tops and cut-out dresses, showing more skin quickly became popular. I own several cropped tops that still leave me a little insecure, even if I’m only showing an inch of stomach.
