Interview Attire

H,

Help!  Everyone knows the state of the economy these days is anything but good, which means a lot of people are finding themselves jobless.  That being said, all those people are on the hunt for a new job and going on countless interviews.  Aside from having a standout resume and sparkling personality, how can I dress to impress new potential employers. 

Signed,

For Hire

 

For Hire,

Just because we are in a recession economy does not mean you can get away with Dust Bowl attire in your interviews.

John Vachon, “Unemployed men who ride the freight trains from Omaha to Kansas City and St. Louis and back,” 1938

 

For the men:

Times may change, but proper interview attire does not:  a suit, tie, and starched and iron shirt are the keys to success.  There are styles and trends that come and go in suiting (two buttons versus four, thin versus thick lapels), but I am a believer in wearing whichever suit makes you look, and feel, confident.  This confidence will radiate during your interviews.

Though the suit is non-negotiable, there are ways you can express yourself and provide a conversation starter.  Vineyard Vines has made expressive ties popular while still being tasteful, and other brands are picking up on this trend.  As long it is not too loud of a pattern, your tie is a great way for your interviewer to pick up on your favorite sport, vacation spot, or alma mater, and makes for a relaxed way to break the ice.

If you are a French cuff guy, you can use cufflinks to express yourself also, and many department stores now carry unique designs, such as these poker chips below.

Poker Chip Cufflinks, by Juicy Couture, on sale for $61.90

 

For the ladies:

The rule of thumb, especially for banking interviews, used to be a conservative skirt suit for interviews.  Well I say you can throw a banking job out the window in this economy, and your skirt suit along with it.

Pant suits are significantly more comfortable to wear (at least for me) and make for a longer, leaner, more powerful look, especially in a male-dominated business world.  In fact, finish the look with your highest heel possible.  Height is key in conveying a powerful and confident first impression.  (Tip: with high heels, you still need to ensure your pant hemline grazes the ground, so bring the pumps with you when you get the pants hemmed.)

Unless the culture of the company for which you are interviewing is quite conservative, a fashionable and slightly more daring woman can feel free to throw the suit away all together.  We can thank power-women like our first lady, Michelle Obama, for pushing the envelope of daytime style yet making shifts and cardigans just as classy as traditional suits.  You rarely see Mrs. Obama in a matching suit, and today’s women should feel free to follow this trend in their  interviews and the workplace.

First Lady Michelle Obama in Vogue magazine

 

But remember, ladies and gentlemen, unless you want to break into modeling, looks are only a small part of acing your interview. 

 

Good luck!

H*

Readers, how do you stand out during interviews? Leave a comment.

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Entertaining in the Kitchen

Dear H,

I am entertaining a group for dinner this weekend, but whenever I host I always seem to get stuck in the kitchen.  What is a good meal for 10 that is hands-off enough to let me socialize with my friends?

Thanks!

Dirty Apron

Apron,

There are a plethora of make-ahead or one-pot meals that could be options, but Crock Pot-gone-bad can ruin a dinner party pretty quickly. 

Instead of taking yourself out of the kitchen, why don't you bring your guests into the kitchen?  There are a lot of fun ways to get your guests involved in the meal while still having fun.  Here are three of my suggestions:

1.)  Pizza Party

Making your own pizza is a great entertaining option in itself, and is quite simple.  Most grocery stores sell refrigerated or frozen pizza dough, and just pick up some sauce, fresh mozzarella, and the toppings you'd like.

But why not take it one step further and let your friends create their own personal pizzas?  Just put out miniature balls of pizza dough for guests to roll out, along with sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings, and let your friends have fun with it.  This might make for a crowded oven, but grilled pizza is delicious, and if you've got a grillmaster around, your duties in the kitchen are over! 

2.)  Culinary Competition

Nothing is hotter on TV right now than food competitions, like Top Chef or Hell's Kitchen.   Why not host your own?

A competition is pretty simple to execute, it is really just a matter of setting the ground rules.  Some contests you may consider that draw from elements of various shows on the Food Network:

• Iron Chef--Have all guests bring "staple" foods and their favorite kitchen utensils, and let them kow there will be a secret ingredient (it might be helpful to let them know in which food group the secret item is).  Split guests into two teams, and each team has to make one or more dishes incorporating the secret ingredient.  You may want smaller teams, so you can designate guests as judges, and even name a chairman, who should get to decide the secret ingredient. 
• Throwdown with Bobby Flay--Does one of your guests excel at a dish?  Buy all of the ingredients necessary for the dish, and work on your own version.  Don't tell any of the guests about the game, but when they arrive, let the chosen one know that you are ready for a throwdown.  Or, have two of your friends compete against each other.
• Ace of Cakes/Food Network Challenge--Since Food Network seems to have a thing for cake decorating, here is a contest you can use for dessert:  make a batch of cupcakes, and provide decorating supplies.  Give guests a theme, and vote on a winner of the best-decorated pastry. 

3.)  Kitchen Board Games

Don't want your guests to actually play with their food?  Several companies now make various food or wine board games, based on culinary knowledge or trivia.  This can be something fun to set up in the kitchen, so you and your friends can have a few drinks and play, while you are finishing up dinner.  If you do want to pick one of these board games up, I recommend Winerd for oenophiles or Foodie Fight for foodies. 

None of these options appeal to you?  There is always take-out...or the Crock Pot. 

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

H*

Readers, have you and your friends had fun in the kitchen? Leave a comment.

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First Date Fashions

~*This post dedicated to the memory of my good friend Kiran*~

Dear H,

What are some good ideas of what to wear on a first date if we're just casually grabbing a drink after he gets out of work?

Thanks!

Empty Closet

 

Empty,

The key to first date fashion is not to be too out there with your style.  Your version of dress-to-impress might not be what your date had in mind.  Unless your man is super-metro or a fashion designer, it’s a safe bet that he has a typical guy’s tastes in women’s clothing; they like it simple.  Think jeans and tees, maybe a little black dress.  Avoid crazy silhouettes, chunky accessories, or anything that looks like your mom might wear it (so your new Tory Burch is out).

So what can you wear?  Start with a great fitting pair of jeans, and pair it with your favorite top.  It doesn’t have to be the fanciest “going out” shirt you have, but if you love it, you’ll rock it.  You don’t want to wear anything that you are not totally sure you love—you’ll be self-conscious about it.

If you are not a jeans girl, go with a dress, but pick one that isn’t too fancy, glittery, or slutty.  A jersey dress is good way to show off your body without showing skin, or an always flattering wrap dress like the ones Diane von Furstenberg has made a name for herself with.  Don’t have the budget for the DvF?    Try this one from Victoria’s Secret for $85:

Victoria’s Secret Voile Wrap Dress, $85

Plus, if it’s from Vicky’s, the guy has got to love it, right? 

Cheers!

H*

Ladies (or gents!), any first date fashion tips? Leave a comment.

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