Ellen: Dressing for Success

Since I’ve been back on the job market, I have received conflicting advice regarding appropriate attire for an interview for a teaching position.

“Suit. Wear a suit.”

I’m getting that a lot. That is the general advice on the internet and from some administrative colleagues. I agree that women look extremely professional in suits.

That problem is that I am 5 feet tall. I look like a weird monkey playing dress-up in a suit. Actually, I have never worn one — at least, not out of the dressing room. I have never even come close to finding a suit that remotely approximates a collected outfit appropriate for my shape.

Clearly, there is a lot to be said for suits. For how many of you readers is a suit the be-all and end-all of interview attire?

On the other hand, are there any other appropriate options out there?

No doubt there is a fine line to walk between not-a-suit and completely inappropriate. The clothing I currently wear to work is designed to shield me from my students, who use me as a human tissue, and to enable my quick access to things close to the floor. So my daily personal brand of frumpy chic is in no way appropriate for an interview!

I realize that dressing well for an interview is an important way to demonstrate your gratitude and respect for a principal and their school. I very much want to do that, I just…am not going to do that wearing a suit.

Since I have already confessed that I have never really worn a suit, you won’t be surprised to hear that I did not wear one to any of the interviews I went on to find my current teaching position. I was offered every job for which I interviewed, despite my lack of suiting. I have also been part of interviews for staff members joining my school — not all of whom wore suits, and none of whom got or did not get the job due to their clothing. On the other hand, I have witnessed interviewees wearing inappropriate attire and it is very jarring and certainly does have an effect on the interviewers’ perception of them.

I have a fairly small window into the dynamics of professional education attire, so I’m really interested in other experiences, especially those of people who have recently been involved in the interview process.

So tell me: Suit or no suit?

Comments

[Leila]

I agree with Tori & a couple of others. I'd like to say that I am 5 ft. tall as well & can pull off of suit. You don't have to wear a suit to the interview, just a nice blouse, skirt, and perhaps cardigan. But just for future reference, get suits in petite. They fit perfectly and you look fabulous.

[Jodi Evans]

Hello, This is my first time blogging so hope I do it correctly. As a business teacher, one of my lessons was on the interviewing process: How to dress, creating a resume, exit interview, thank you notes, etc. The students actually went through an interview during school time with fellow colleagues and administrators and community members. Both sides really enjoyed the experience and thought it was a great life skill students needed to know for the real world.

My experience was always to wear a suit but that was 20 years ago. Times have changed and I believe as long as you look professional, clean cut, shoes polished, etc then it is acceptable to wear skirts, dress shirt or blouse, or even a dress pant type of suit. From my experience they will look at your appearance as professional as long as you dress that way. Also everyone is in economic times and we can't afford all new clothes for interviews.

To me it is best if you have atleast 2-3 nice professional outfits to wear because with teaching you might be called back 2 or 3 times before being offered the position and you do not want to be caught wearing the same clothes. Anyways I wear something that is in the closet and is professional dress.

[Ellen]

You guys are hitting it right on the mark. I didn't feel comfortable with what I wore and they could tell. They didn't care and are very interested in me joining their staff, but it was a stressful and disconcerting meeting on my end none-the-less. I'm trying to update my daily attire so I can feel more professional but still practical. Thanks for the feedback!!

[tori arfsten]

OK, so you want to look professional, but you also want to project a strong sense of self. If you're uncomfortable, you're never going to be able to the confidence that you normally have. Your interviewers want to feel that you are a "take charge" type of person in whatever situation that you're in. After all, if they hire you, they're trusting you to take care of the community's greatest asset - their children. Wear a skirt, blouse and jacket; or a dress and a jacket...just be sure it represents you in a "grown up" look. Good luck to you; interviews and the interview process are difficult for most of us.

[dayle timmons]

We are asking your question about - suit or no suit - on the blog I share with my first year teacher daughter. See what you think. http://shestheappleofmyeye.blogspot.com

[Ellen]

Thanks for the comments! I did not wear a suit, I wore a dress with a matching sweater and heels. I felt over-dressed, but the principal complimented me on my outfit.

[dayle timmons]

I sit in almost every interview at my school. A first impression is certainly made when a teacher walkes into the interview and her dress is part of that impression. I think a suit is always appropriate for an interview but it doesn't have to be a suit. A dress, skirt and blouse or even dress pants are fine as long as they are neat and clean. Too casual or or muffled really is disrespectful, in my opinion and if a teacher doesn't know what to wear for an interview, how in the world will she dress on a daily basis? Good luck and let us know what you finally wear!

[Em]

I dress fairly casually at school, being a lifeskills teacher. I come into contact with all sorts of things. So I would dress up a little more too, but not a suit. Skirt and nice top? Dress pants?

[Tracy]

No suit! There are other alternatives to dressing professionally.

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