job fair - suit or not?

[hatingthewaiting]

I will be attending a job fair at my school next week and all the good jobs around will have reps there. Should I wear a suit? I own a really nice one, just need to get it pressed, so it wont really be a cost issue. I just don't know if this is what to wear or not. It's black with thin burgundy stripes, should I wear a white blouse or burgundy (have both). The shirt matches well, but I don't know if that'll be too flashy and if I should go with more conservative white. If I were to get an interview, this is what I plan to wear, I only own 1 suit. Will it look bad rewearing it to an interview, or is it unlikely anyone will even remember? What about jewelry? I know not to wear any piercings that might be objectionable, but what about a single set of diamond studs, small heart diamond necklace, and my engagement ring (I wear that always anyways)? I am seriously deficient when it comes to knowing about these things, so sorry if they seem like "duh" questions. Do they even take note of who shows up dressed really well and who goes in jeans and a tee and everywhere in between?

[Oz2]

I vote for suit with white shirt. And I don't think they'll remember it at a later interview; just change the shirt if you're worried about it.

[loricatus]

I think that for the school job fair you should stand out a little by wearing the burgundy blouse with the suit. Here you would want to stand out a little (and the HR rep is more likely to remember the burgundy blouse and forget the pinstrips-where white will emphasize the pinstrips, so the suit will be remembered). Save the conservative blouse for the hospital interview. Studs are fine, as long as they aren't too big or flashy. Don't think a diamond heart necklace is needed; but, keep the engagement ring on. Also, have a few copies of your resume to hand out.

The rule of thumb for the business world is to dress up at least one step above the position you are applying for. The reasoning for that is the image that you portray through dress will convey your suitability for the position. Oh, and don't forget to use proper body language and tone to go along with your attire. And, it certainly doesn't hurt to smile

Good Luck.

BYW, jeans and non-professional attire is thought to be a sign of disrespect. Employers tend to frown on the independent minded person. Not saying I agree with that, just telling you the way it is.

[RNDreams]

ABSOLUTELY and even more so now than ever in this economy! I have worked in HR for several years and we never forgot those poeple that dressed to the nines because we probably hired them but we also didnt forget those that came underdressed or dressed just flat out inapprpriately, but we just had a laugh at their expense but they did get jobs and no matter how hard an HR rep tries to be neutral first impressions mean a lot and I myself and many other in HR have been in that position that they knew that even if the person wasnt the strongest candidate they would get a 2nd interview becasue they took the time to show me even before we met, that the applicant cared enough to look professional for the interview or job fair.

Good luck!

Christine:up:

[Oz2]

I change my vote, loricatus convinced me. Go for the burgundy.

[Jules A, MSN]

I definitely vote for the suit and either blouse would be fine, imo. Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think either blouse will be OK. It sounds like a nice suit that will make a good impression with either shirt. Jewelry? It sounds like yours will be fine. It doesn't sound too flashy. There's no need to go totally "bare" with no jewelry -- that might look odd when you are wearing "civilian" clothes.

One tip: Wear comfortable shoes with a low or moderate heel. Young women often "blow" the professional streat clothes look by wearning high spikey hills that make them walk differently. A middle-aged woman (i.e.experienced nurse manager) can spot that a mile away. It screams, "This woman is young and foolish -- more concerned about looking sexy in the outfit than being able walk comfortably and preserving the health of her feet, knees, and hips. She has a lot to learn about life. Do I really want to invest in helping her grow up?" So ... be sure the shoes look sensible and that they don't alter the way you walk. A lot of women say, "Oh, but I'm used to wearing these shoes and they feel comfortable" -- not realizing that the shoes are altering the way they look when they walk and that draws attention to the sexy shoes when the message you want to send is practical and sensible.

You sound on the right track. Good luck to you! I hope you get a great job.

[RNDreams]

Good call on the advice about the shoes but you are totally on point on that one, I used to spot it myself coming form a mile awway as you said when I did interviews or job fairs for the medical spas I managed.

Like I said, even though I went through a lot of "brain washing" classes to get me to make sure my decisions were based soley on people's past performance and skills rather than that "gut feeling" but no matter what sometimes I would be leaning towards a candidate just becasue they sounded great on the phone, which is a huge no no but it happens and even with all of the trianing I went through it "gut feeling' was still there and luckily I would say that 90% of the time I was right but yes as the last poster said, the shoes will give you away if you go in there rocking a suit with either beat up, spike heels, stillettos (so?), or stripper shoes, and I have seen them all, so please know i am not coming up with this out of nowhere.

Good Luck!

Christine:up: