What Jewelry to Wear to a Job Interview ?

[frankiextah]

so, i work in fashion retail in NYC (as a fashion buyer). the last job interview i went to was pre-engagement and i wore no bling on my fingers of course.

scenario 1)
I have a face-to-face talk in the office with the VP / DMM (so, high level manager) of the couture department of a luxury high end department store tomorrow. We will be discussing a perspective mid-level position at the company. so it's not REALLY an interview per-se, it's more of like a knowing me better type of talk.

scenario 2)
I have a formal interview with the recruiting manager of ANOTHER luxury high end department coming up in the near future. This may lead to a subsequent string of interviews with different departments on the same day or a separate day.

my outfit will consist of a modern shift dress, black tights with black heels. It is a fashion job so the shift dress is trendy but still business appropriate.

what is appropriate to wear :

- full wedding set (2.32ct RB e-ring + 1.60ctw full eternity band) + 2.40ctw RB studs
- only full wedding set
- only eternity band + RB studs
- only eternity band

this is a high end fashion job in a corporate office setting. i am curious to see what everyone thinks is appropriate for an interview as such ?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think for those settings you could certainly wear your wedding set and the studs.

 

[CherryBlossom]

I think for those settings you could certainly wear your wedding set and the studs.

yup yup exactly what she ^^ said. Good luck!

 

[Gypsy]

Wear it all. LOL.

You said that both interviews are at high end retail. If you are a high end customer yourself, then you can relate to your customers at their level, IMO. I think it would be fine.

I'm ot in fashion but I don't hold back on my jewelry when interviewing. I don't work at public interest or non-profits. I don't see the point in not wearing my jewelry.

 

[frankiextah]

Wear it all. LOL.

You said that both interviews are at high end retail. If you are a high end customer yourself, then you can relate to your customers at their level, IMO. I think it would be fine.

I'm ot in fashion but I don't hold back on my jewelry when interviewing. I don't work at public interest or non-profits. I don't see the point in not wearing my jewelry.

i think that's a great point gypsy ! the only thing that had been holding me back a little bit was having them think why i would even want to "work" wearing so much bling. but your point of view changed that, and this is NYC i guess !

 

[SandyCheeks]

Definitely wear the wedding set however will you have your hair up or loose? If hair is down and loose then earrings are good. Not sure why I feel that way but that feels right for an interview. Good luck!!

 

[Gypsy]

Wear it all. LOL.

You said that both interviews are at high end retail. If you are a high end customer yourself, then you can relate to your customers at their level, IMO. I think it would be fine.

I'm ot in fashion but I don't hold back on my jewelry when interviewing. I don't work at public interest or non-profits. I don't see the point in not wearing my jewelry.

i think that's a great point gypsy ! the only thing that had been holding me back a little bit was having them think why i would even want to "work" wearing so much bling. but your point of view changed that, and this is NYC i guess !

You get asked why you need a job... you tell them you are a bling addict and you have to support your habit. If you say it in the right way, you'll get a chuckle and they'll understand that it really isn't their business... but that you can establish boundaries while building a relationship... and important skill in any job.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Wear it all. LOL.

You said that both interviews are at high end retail. If you are a high end customer yourself, then you can relate to your customers at their level, IMO. I think it would be fine.

I'm ot in fashion but I don't hold back on my jewelry when interviewing. I don't work at public interest or non-profits. I don't see the point in not wearing my jewelry.

i think that's a great point gypsy ! the only thing that had been holding me back a little bit was having them think why i would even want to "work" wearing so much bling. but your point of view changed that, and this is NYC i guess !

b/c they think you will need a job to support your diamond addiction...

 

[z]

I think the issue is, because it's a position in the fashion industry, appearances are almost more important than usual during an interview. If you overdo the jewelry you may run afoul of the interviewer's taste or idea of image. I'd go just with the wedding set and if your hair is down the earrings.

 

[motownmama]

In interview situations I think it's better to err on the side of less is more. Personally I would wear the eternity and the earrings only. That 4 carats right there!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Plain diamond studs are always in good taste as far as I am concerned unless they are just huge. And a wedding set is a wedding set and can be worn unless you were applying at some kind of charity or a workplace where it would be inappropriate to wear nice jewelry. This workplace would be exactly the kind of place where you would definitely wear nice clothes and jewelry! I agree with whoever said that it shows you are basically in the same realm as the clientele, and I think that is good. I wouldn't wear any other diamonds, though.

 

[acebruin]

i don't know... i'm on the other side of the spectrum... interview has nothing to do with clientèles... interview has EVERYTHING to do with the interviewer... you'll never know how the interview feels about jewelry... that person might think you're boasting and get jealous... and before you know it, you're not even considered as a candidate... less is more is my motto during an interview... unless you know that person and he doesn't mind with the bling... the risk factor here is jealousy...

 

[yssie]

I have to disagree ace, I think in a sales job the way in which the interviewee will interact with the primary clientele is very much at the forefront of the interviewer's mind. And Frankie I think just your wedding set and studs would be perfect - it is classic, classy combo, yet the sheer sizes and bling-factor involved mean that they are also "sufficiently snooty" to show you can keep up with prospective buyers, that they will look at you and think of you as "in their league and worth paying attention to and buying from", for lack of better wording

 

[Jennifer W]

I wouldn't leave the studs off, because I think 'naked' pierced ears look a little casual for an interview. Could just be me, but I always wear studs with business attire. Unless your studs are each the size of a small country, you won't look too flashy but you will look chic and pulled together.

I also love the look of an eternity band on its own, either as a rhr or in place of a wedding set. Very chic, very understated, but suggests that you know and love high end luxury.


Edited to make some sense!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

For job interviews you should tone down. Just because you're interviewing for a position in high-end department store doesn't mean the people you'll be talking with have $ and if they don't, you showing off tons of bling may turn those individuals off. The eng/wedding set along with the earrings is too much bling!

 

[partgypsy]

I've never interviewed at a high end fashion job (and if you've seen me you would understand)

I like the idea of the studs and the eternity band. It is such a classy look you can't go wrong. You want to give an overall impression, not have the interviewer be distracted with thoughts such as how much did she spend on her wedding set? The fact that you asked yourself whether the interviewer will wonder why you want the job, well don't want to have them ask that question even subconsciously.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Your jewelry is part of who you are and I would wear it proudly. It is a very upscale look and I think you will look fantastic. Fashion is also about accessorizing and for that job, I'd rather see someone with beautiful jewelry than a plain gold band. And it is, after all, New York City! If it were another job or another industry, I'd think twice about it. If it were Iowa, I'd think twice about it too but hey, it's fashion, it's NYC, it's blingy!!

You'll be a knockout - knock 'em dead!!

 

[frankiextah]

OMG you guys are amazing !!

i just got home from my "talk" for an opportunity at the buying office of a luxury department store on 5th ave, nyc

went well - i ended up with my studs, and my full wedding set ... so yes i went all out. this is really for "dressing the part". everything worked well with my textured shift dress, black tights, black heels and gray wool trench coat with fur collar. the outfit was VERY new york, VERY 5th avenue. i toned it down with clean, pale pink manicure and loose, let down hair. i think it was right on, because it is a luxury department store on 5th avenue that sells chanel / goyard / dior, etc. i'm actually glad i wore the bling to offset my monochrome outfit !

the high ranking person (who works close to the CEO) i spoke with today wore a statement ring (semi precious) and diamond studs, designer shoes, even after she just landed from Paris this morning and went straight to the office from the airport (welcome to the fashion industry). so i think what i wore was fitting to the occasion.

i think, if i were going into a younger fashion brand office i would have toned down a little bit to match the environment (geez, i already feel old when i just said that... i'm only 27).

thank you so much again for all your honest opinions !

now i just have to cross fingers !

 

[MissGotRocks]

Hate to say I told you so but I told you so! Very happy for you and wish you the best of luck on landing the job!

I'm having visions of the Devil Wears Prada - ha!!

 

[frankiextah]

thankyou MGR!! fairy dust needed !

you're actually quite accurate, 3 jobs ago (my first fashion internship. thank goodness it was only 4 months), my job environment was ALMOST IDENTICAL to devil wears prada ! my ex-boss acted so much like her ! it was quite a nightmare but i've also learned so much, and have grown such thick skin from it !

 

[MissGotRocks]

Lots of dust for you! Loved Devil - could watch it over and over. That is quite an exciting industry to be in!

Best of luck to you and good wishes that it all turns out exactly as you wish!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So glad it went well! Best of luck to you on getting the job!

 

[lizzyann]

I just saw this thread Frankie! I am glad you went with the wedding set and studs. That was going to be what I recommended. I am a SAHM now, but I was also a Fashion Buyer in NYC but at the 34th street department store! I have gone thru a couple Devil wears prada bosses but have also had some wonderful bosses along the way as well! Good Luck!