What should I wear to my teaching interview?

brilibby4 · August 2012

I have an interview for a first grade teaching position this Friday and I just found out today. I haven't had an interview since last summer and am unsure of what to wear for my interview. I do know for teaching elementary school they often recommend candidates not to wear suits because they come across stuffy and formal. The school I worked at this year was very casual (I wore khaki type pants most days) so my dressy wordrobe is lacking a bit.

I have pretty much narrowed my options down to the following:

Edit: I'm finding a picture of the dress to post!

brilibby4 · August 2012

This is the dress. I would probably wear it with gray flats and would wear brown pumps with the dress pants because they are too long for flats.

Girlie1030 · August 2012

I went with the brown and mustard'ish short sleeves. Though now I think it depends on the shade of mustard. (Feel free to tell me how unhelpful I am)

ZombieNates · August 2012

Hmm. That's interesting. I always wore a suit on my interviews.

acaponi87 · August 2012

I have also only worn suits on teaching interviews though I've never had an elementary interview. Do you have a pencil skirt or something you could wear?

brilibby4 · August 2012

Hmm, I can easily go buy a suit tomorrow if thats better. I had heard not to but that could be wrong. I don't have any pencil skirts...they are super cute on pretty much everyone except me unfortunately. Now I'm thinking maybe I should buy a suit.

ZombieNates · August 2012

I'll be honest with you. You're interviewing at a really rough time. I'd want to stand out from the crowd, look professional, and wow them with my personality/knowledge.

We do talk about what people wear when they interview--even supervisors and principals, so they will notice how you look/carry yourself.

I wore an A-line suit skirt (since pencil skirts look too sexy/booty-showing on me for an interview), a striped shirt in some bold colors, and a suit jacket, opened. I think the whole B&W suit thing is TOO business-y, but I wouldn't want to look too informal. I guess an elementary teacher would have a better idea what's appropriate, though. Everyone in my school dresses up every day and I've noticed our elementary teachers are a little more casual.

ETA: At the very least, I would wear black tailored pants, a button down shirt, and heels. Maybe that will feel less formal?

brilibby4 · August 2012

Thanks Nates, that really does make sense. Plus now that I think about it, I look extremely young so I might want to go a little more professional anyways. I am going to go shopping tomorrow and see what I can find.

lindseyann410 · August 2012

I wore dark grey pinstripped pants, a whire button up shirt, and a blazer.

ZombieNates · August 2012

Go to Express! That's where I got all of my suit stuff and I still have it, in great condition. Suits were BOGO 1/2 off this week. Maybe just go with the shirt/pants, neat jewelry and nice shoes--I think that will be the perfect compromise between too formal and too laidback. Also, I know exactly what you mean about looking too young.

You seem to have a great personality, so I think you'll wow them no matter what

brilibby4 · August 2012

Thanks! I was actually thinking Express

I like that their dress clothes are still cute and not stuffy or frumpy.

acaponi87 · August 2012

I think a couple of my suits are from Kohls. My real nice one is from Express. You'll be fine no matter what but I agree with Nates. I'd air on the side of too formal. They'll be able to tell you are fun, creative, etc when you start talking.

brilibby4 · August 2012

Oh, i hadn't thought of Kohls. I will definitely check there too. Thanks

brilibby4 · August 2012

Thanks! I hadn't thought too much about accessories. Thoughts on pearls with matching pearl studs? Do you consider hair down or up more appropriate?

jendem8 · August 2012

I teach high school. Personally I would go for at least a button-down shirt (not sure if that's what you meant by 'white shirt') with slacks and a cardigan. I only ever wore suits to interviews, but I can see how elementary interviews might be different. If you go the suit route, maybe opt for a brightly colored shirt underneath to make it less formal. Good luck!

brilibby4 · August 2012

Great, thats what I was thinking. Thanks everyone!

chelseamb11 · August 2012

With teaching interviews, I agree accessories can literally make or break. I was always told that the rule of thumb is not to wear more than 4 pieces of jewelry (earrings does count as two). If you are too accessorized, it can send the wrong impression.

For my interviews, I had two trusty pencil skirts (one gray, one black) that I would swap in various button down shirts and/or jackets with. I'd avoid any sort of skirt that flows or is billowy. The key is to look professional.

Good luck! I hope it goes well! I'll say a prayer for you!

brilibby4 · August 2012

Thanks so much Chels. I will be sure to let you ladies know how it goes!

LetsHikeToday · August 2012

Good luck Bri! I agree with everyone who said suits!

cheeseandrice · August 2012

I agree with everyone else. I'd do a skirt suit and ditch the coat if you think you're being too formal. Then you've still got the nice skirt and formal shirt. At least that's what I've done when I wasn't sure how formal to dress... fwiw, I freaking hate suits.

and good luck

cheeseandrice · August 2012

and ditto Dot on the perfume. DON'T WEAR ANY. ditto with the obnoxious bracelets.

I skimmed most of this, but I'd do your hair up, too. You'll be less likely to play with it if you get nervous.

chelseamb11 · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_what-should-i-wear-to-my-teaching-interview?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6e7566b7-5be4-4b7d-af90-74954e79941bPost:82b3b897-c02f-4f26-ae22-1cc9be3046bb">Re: What should I wear to my teaching interview?</a>:
[QUOTE]and ditto Dot on the perfume. DON'T WEAR ANY. ditto with the obnoxious bracelets. I skimmed most of this, but <strong>I'd do your hair up, too. You'll be less likely to play with it if you get nervous.</strong>
Posted by Steph+J[/QUOTE]

I forgot to mention this too. Hair up is always much more professional as well (and less likely to play with it).

I get SUPER fidgety when I'm nervous and without realizing it last year, I spent an entire interview swiveling my chair back and forth. I now make a conscious effort to plant my feet on the floor and cross my hands in my lap (I click pens too lol).

[Deleted User] · August 2012

When I was in college and prepping for interviews for jobs, my communications prof told us that brown in a color of weakness. Stick to bold colors like black and navy.

ETA: Good Luck!!

triciaholden1987 · August 2012

I second/third/fourth/etc on the suit idea. It is a tough time but it is ALWAYS best to be more professional than not. Keep it very modest, not low cut, etc. For accessories, I would recommend simple stud earrings and a bracelet. Remember, these people want to look at you like a professional and not a student teacher. GOOD LUCK!!! Keep us posted!!!

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