Mundane question about interview attire - ladies!

[RoBot]

I had to go to like 10 different stores in the outlet mall to find a shirt that wouldn't gap over my, um, assets, but I triumphed and actually found something cute-ish but professional.

This was exactly my problem- all the tops that fit my 'assets' were then too big everywhere else. Found one evveeennntually.

[mobiuschic42]

I had to go to like 10 different stores in the outlet mall to find a shirt that wouldn't gap over my, um, assets, but I triumphed and actually found something cute-ish but professional.

This was exactly my problem- all the tops that fit my 'assets' were then too big everywhere else. Found one evveeennntually.

Haha...if you've never been to Japan before, get ready for some comments and curiosity! Actually, one of my favorite memories is at December going away/holiday party when a drunken Japanese girl (who I'd never met before) walked up to me, pointed at my chest, and just said "ooki!" ("big"). I laughed for awhile about that one.

[Deveire]

I had to go to like 10 different stores in the outlet mall to find a shirt that wouldn't gap over my, um, assets, but I triumphed and actually found something cute-ish but professional.

This was exactly my problem- all the tops that fit my 'assets' were then too big everywhere else. Found one evveeennntually.

Pffft, I think there's a shirt design conspiracy or something, because I am definitely not what anyone would describe as "busty" and yet every shirt I tried on STILL GAPED. Ended up getting a buttonless blouse because I didn't think flashing my bra would go down well. Haha.

[mobiuschic42]

I had to go to like 10 different stores in the outlet mall to find a shirt that wouldn't gap over my, um, assets, but I triumphed and actually found something cute-ish but professional.

This was exactly my problem- all the tops that fit my 'assets' were then too big everywhere else. Found one evveeennntually.

Pffft, I think there's a shirt design conspiracy or something, because I am definitely not what anyone would describe as "busty" and yet every shirt I tried on STILL GAPED. Ended up getting a buttonless blouse because I didn't think flashing my bra would go down well. Haha.

Aww...I'm sure you'll look fine!
The shirt I ended up finding was a cotton-polyester blend, so it has a little stretch to it. I think that made all the difference. Also, for girls in US - it might be a "mom"-type store, but DressBarn has served me well again and again for interview clothes for my "not-quite-plus-sized" frame.

[stefaluff]

If anyone is wearing a dress or skirt like I had, I recommend wearing panty-hose. It's old style I know, but it looks more professional than leggings, or not wearing anything at all

[Smasha]

Pantyhose is not old!!! I wear it all the time-it saves you if you forgot to shave your legs, makes your legs look tan if it's a darker shade! So I like it!!!

Dress shirts-a big pain!!! My only one was too small, so i opted for a black and white floral print blouse instead. still classy, but interesting.
Sometimes it helps to sew the gaping spot or safety pin it-dress shirts are not made for women with average or above average cleavage.

[stefaluff]

Ok, sorry, not old style ^_^;;. I just don't wear panty-hose that often.

[Mimmy]

Ok, sorry, not old style ^_^;;. I just don't wear panty-hose that often.

I also thought it was for older people! I honestly don't know anybody our age (presuming we are all in our 20s) who wears it regularly (not for interviews, etc). Now I'm curious to know whether or not a lot of people wear it often and it's just not popular where I live.

[Smasha]

Ok, sorry, not old style ^_^;;. I just don't wear panty-hose that often.

I also thought it was for older people! I honestly don't know anybody our age (presuming we are all in our 20s) who wears it regularly (not for interviews, etc). Now I'm curious to know whether or not a lot of people wear it often and it's just not popular where I live.

I wear pantyhouse underneath dresses and such, cuz it makes my legs look tan and not bruised and such- i am very accident prone. I am also a Ballroom dancer, so looking good on the dance floor is important. I might be a bit old fashioned cuz most of friends don't wear it either but I think it's classy. Stockings are also nice and sexy....

[Heather]

I'm a little bigger, so it was hard to find an appropriate suit. Larger ladies shouldn't go out the day before to get a suit. I finally found a suit at dress-barn, though the sizes were a little odd to me (I ended up with a fourteen suit though I usually wear a sixteen). I wore a dark navy skirt suit, with the skirt at about my knees, and I also arranged a scarf at the neck of the suit so it looked like I was wearing a blousy shirt (the only button-downs I could find in my size looked like they were cut to be tents or shopping bags).

I wore hose and two-inch heels. Always wear hose with a suit-I even wear knee-highs with pantsuits. I think someone a little further down in the forum said they thought it was for older people, but I believe the rule is that panty-hose is required for business or formal attire (though it's ok to go bare with mini-skirts and sundresses). A nude color or one matching your skin tone is best, not white or black. Black, patterned, or fishnets might be okay for an interview for an American company, but not for Japan. Thicker tights or leggings (like those that have been popular in America the last few years) are not appropriate.

The other girls at the interview wore dark suits, mostly black. Some wore skirts, but a lot wore pants. Most kept their hair neat with clips holding it up or pinned their hair back a bit. A braid or wearing it loose is appropriate as long as it's neat and combed (one girl had a very messy braid that made me wince when I saw it. I wanted to get out a comb). The shoes were eithor low heels or nice flats.

[hunterofpeace]

I decided on a grey skirt suit. A lot of women don't take the time to get their pants suits tailored and can look sloppy. I didn't want to risk that. I wore a turquoise silk blouse with slight pleating in the collar underneath my blazer. The blouse hit just below my collarbone. I wore my hair up, but loose so that it accentuated my curly hair. Minimal makeup, mild shampoo/deodorant, and no jewelry, save a pair of classy earrings that my friend lent me. Nude hose and nude patent leather pumps with a matching, unobtrusive purse. Though my attire was modest and professional, I still felt confident and sexy. I think that's what really counts. So long as you look professional (objectively; get a second opinion!!) and feel confident in what you wear, you're good to go.

[cloudsmyhero]

Hi everyone!

This might be a non issue for some ladies and could seem like a silly worry, but it is hard to not over analyze as interview dates are approaching. Okay, so I am interviewing in D.C. and because it is inside the embassy we cannot bring in a guest with us. This leads to the problem of having a purse with me. I initially planned to not bring anything into the interview room with me (except for my voucher and i.d.) because I thought I could have my mom hold my bag in the waiting room or something. But, since I have to be dropped off instead I really need it now for my cellphone to call my ride and I want one to bring a comb, powder/lip gloss etc. for last minute touch ups just in case anything happens lol So...my question is what is appropriate to have with us? I was thinking a tiny clutch, but I didn't know if it would look odd setting it on the floor? Conversely I do not want a big bag/briefcase because this is an interview where they already have our application in front of them and I don't need to fill it with resumes and files...but it would sit up straight sitting next to my chair and make for a smoother sitting and standing transition.

What are you ladies doing as far as a bag? Or what has anyone done in the past? Were you even allowed to bring one in or did they have you leave it somewhere?

Thanks!

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I think I heard that they have a room they can keep our purses/coats while we're in our interview. Can anyone confirm this? I'm interviewing in DC as well and I'm curious too : )
*EDIT: I'm going to take a small clutch purse and a folder to keep the interview voucher in. I am also going to have to wear a coat, because I'll be walking there and I imagine it will be chilly.

I'm coming from southern VA and am actually staying in a hotel the night before my interview. I'll be taking the metro and walking to get to the embassy, so I am bringing a basic, black bag (about the size of an iPad) and a coat, as it's supposed to be in the 40s. I wasn't sure about whether or not to take it into the interview, but since it seems there will be a coat closet, it doesn't seem to matter much. Thanks for asking the question/sharing your answers! I feel a little more at ease about my decision now.

[Smasha]

Ok, ladies, key piece of advice from a current JET- do not fret too much about minuscule details. The JET interview is not much different in its customs and formalities from a normal one. Dress professionally( no jeans/sandals, but also no need to buy an expensive suit), nice dress pants/skirt/work dress, jacket/cardi/nice sweater, clean matching shoes. So of course, do try and dress to impress, but you don't necessarily have to wear what everyone else is wearing. I wore a cardi and a nice print top, while some girl showed up looking a bit more boho/hippie. Bags are totally fine at the interview, at mine( Vancouver) we did not have a coat room, so we had to bring everything with us. I traveled to my interview from a different city, so I had a big purse with my shoes and what not as well. Bring your application just in case(good to review it beforehand), and anything else you think will be useful in preparation, or the actual interview. Relax, take time to answer questions, and have lots of napkins and such for sweat/stain removal/etc.

Hope this helps!

[alice233]

+1

There's no top-secret, super-special list of rules about interview attire that's made just for JET. Also, I know these posters were around a while ago, but what is the deal with 'hose' or whatever the US term is? Every time there's a discussion on professional attire, the panty-hose/tights police seem to leap out and start giving precise instructions for exactly how they 'must' be worn, and only unprofessional peeps/ unladylike ladies/ SLAGS wear xyz kind/colour. I highly doubt that a candidate will be disqualified for wearing black tights, or I would have been right out the door.

Neat, clean, smart. That's the key. There are no top-secret rules, and no one will be expecting you to dress up like a carbon-copy of a Japanese person. Dress how you would for any other professional interview in your country. The only particular points I would make are: cover tattoos; take out any 'unconventional' piercings, i.e. anything but a single set of earlobe piercings; keep your bust, shoulders and knees covered. I think that those are all part of the interviewing conventions in most countries anyway (or in mine, at least ). But don't stress the details too much- worry more about being a good candidate, and regard your attire as a peripheral.

[Bugrophenia]

Oh Wow did i fret about this last year as well!

My japanese teacher told me all sorts of things i should wear. After shopping for ages, and stressing out I found a black tunic A line dress and wore it with a black blazer, and black tights and it was fine.

other posters have mentioned that dressing smart and professional is the key- and I agree completely with this. Don't freak out over what colour to wear or trousers over skirts etc, as long as you look smart an presentable that is most important!