What Not to Wear: MLA Interview Edition

1. What Not to Wear: MLA Interview Edition Susannah ClevelandMark A. Puente Misti Shaw

2. Don’t Be “One-Date Debbie.” “One-Date Debbie,” Sixteen Magazine, 11, no. 2 (July, 1969): 21.

3. Guidelines Have at least two interview-ready outfits available at all times.

4. Guidelines Be dressed for the interview from the moment you arrive. (You are probably not Michelle Obama.)

5. Guidelines Dress for the climate.

6. Guidelines Select clothes that are tasteful and that don’t distract from your professional qualifications.

7. Guidelines Check your fit. very fit bodybuilder ( )

8. The blazer question Ladies, you don’t have to wear a blazer. For reals.

9. Guidelines Practice wearing your interview clothes.

10. Guidelines “But I’m a cataloger.” -pettyartist, http://pettyartist.deviantart.com/art/I-may-be-frumpy-149813394

11. Good (obvious) Advice Before you have an interview scheduled, consider: • Do you have clothing appropriate to the position, industry, company, and department in which you are seeking a job? • 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

12. 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

13. Dangerous Advice “Dress as if you already work there.” ( actual librarian at work)

14. Dangerous Advice “Dress for the job you really want.” Dressed as dean

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. And for Inspiration http://www.pinterest.com/panashstyle/alternative-job-interview-attire/

18. Just say NO!!!! To pleated, too-long Dockers with a blue polyester blazer

19. Sleeves too long Get a tailor!

20. Well- fitted Shoulders “Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand…”

21. Watch your patterns! Don’t be afraid to show a little bit of flare

22. Watch your patterns! Novelty ties are NEVER a good idea

23. Facial jewelry/Tatoos Depends on context, but consider balance

24. Show Your Flair Scarves: Not just for Art Librarians

25. Show Your Flair “Professional” does not mean “boring.”

26. Putting your best foot forward Invest in some shoe trees

27. Putting your best foot forward Invest in some shoe trees

28. Wardrobe and other Tips • http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/09/25/good-fitted-suit-visual/ • http://www.pinterest.com/livecareer/interview-outfits-for-gents/ • http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/how-dress-your-job-interview/

29. Wardrobe Tips

30. Potential pitfalls:sweat • If you sweat a lot, avoid polyester • Choose natural fabrics when possible • Clinical strength deodorant is NOT prescription strength • Choose Certain Drifor OTC prescription strength • If you do sweat through your sleeves, relax. It happens!

31. 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.

32. If it’s good enough for Princess Kate… It’s good enough for us.

33. 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

34. POTENTIAL PITFALLS:ILL-FITTING CLOTHING • Avoid bosom button gap. • Solution 1: Have a tailor sew invisible snaps for reinforcement. • Solution 2: Leave unbuttoned, wear camiunderneath. • Solution 3: Size up, have a tailortake in with darts and reseaming.

35. A shirt taken in… Seams were added in back… Could also be done in front, under bust

36. POTENTIAL PITFALLS:ILL-FITTING CLOTHING Poufy voluminous tuck-ins can be fixed with tailoring! after before

37. POTENTIAL PITFALLS:ILL-FITTING CLOTHING Fix floppy collars with collar stays

38. 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.

39. Collar stays with magnets

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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

44. 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.

47. Feel *this* confident