After the initial jumping around saying "I have an interview, I actually have an interview!!" I have finally come back down to earth and started preparing. I was told I will be tested on animal/plant ID and my computer skills so I went to the library to get some books to brush up on my id skills and I will review what computer skills I said I had to see what they could possibly test me on. Check and Check
Now I have one problem- What do I Wear???
It felt weird just saying that.
I am not usually a person who obsesses over my appearance. In highschool I normally got dressed in the dark while half-asleep. "Light...hurts... eyes... want more sleep!...zzzz..." As long as my clothes weren't inside out or backwards I figured I was doing all right. Also due to my lack of fashion sense/self-esteem issues my wardrobe mainly consisted of jeans, over-sized t-shirts and hoodies.
It is a well known fact that if I have an outfit/article of clothing that looks good or quasi-fashionable, chances are my sister or my university roommate picked it out for me. My skills are seriously lacking in the fashion department.
Past interviews have been conducted over the phone and I haven't had to worry about this dilemma. The interviewer's impression was limited to the sound of my voice and my answers to their questions. They had no idea I was sitting in my basement, in my pyjamas and staring at the hanging head of a forgotten tortured Halloween lawn ornament. (true story)
It is common knowledge that you should dress to impress for a job interview- first impressions are important. But the type of job I am applying for complicates matters. I have had similar positions before and I know that dressing up to wildlife biologists frequently means wearing clean clothes. Normal dress code for the position would likely be similar to my old highschool uniform of over-sized T's and jeans. However I doubt this outfit would be interview appropriate.
But what would be interview appropriate?
What kind of clothes say :
"I am an intelligent, competent and professional individual."
while also saying
"I am willing to stand in the rain, wade through mud,
tear out invasive species, or wrangle pheasants,
and can build a boardwalk if you need it?"
I don't want to go too professional and risk having them think I am too academic and not capable of performing the field/maintenance work. Nor do I want to go too casual and risk making a bad impression- like I don't care about the interview, or risk looking like an inexperienced highschool student. Internet so far hasn't been very helpful, most articles suggesting interview attire are for indoor office/customer service positions and recommend wearing a pant or skirt suit. I really think that would be overkill for this position but there really isn't much advice for female field biologists out there.
Ugh! I am annoyed that I am obsessing so much about clothes, but the interview is kind of a big deal to me. My typical fashion advisers are rather far away - Alberta and South Korea. And we already determined I am no good at this on my own. All this outfit-obsessing kinda makes me want to put on an oversized t-shirt and sweat pants and slip into some socks and sandals- or maybe just roll around in some mud. (kidding!) But seriously any suggestions/insight would be welcome.
