Overthinking: Interview Edition

Nerves bring out the planner in me. This time around, it's an interview for a job that would take me back to my beloved San Francisco bay area. It is summer, it is painfully warm, and I have a tendency to sweat buckets (sorry, glow buckets). As such, I'm taking a risk and avoiding a suit jacket in favor of a Michelle Obama-esque cardigan.

CARDIGAN CONTENDERS
It's either Ann Taylor's crew neck cardigan (classic) or a beaded open cardigan from Gap.

Ann Taylor



Gap



Gap (beading detail)



SHIRT
A simple white shirt with a little, tiered/textural twist from Ann Taylor.



BELT
Wide stretch belt from the Gap. Stretch for continuous comfort and wide because I'm tall and long-waisted. Speaking of which, if you're tall and long-waisted, skip the skinny belts. If you're petite, go right ahead.



TROUSERS
Easy peasy, ultra comfy Perfect trouser pants from Gap.



SHOES
Depending on my mood, I'll either slip on these palomino Jenna round-toe pumps from Banana Republic (squishy padding and comfortable with a conservative 2 3/4" stacked heel) ...



Or these black Lyndsey pointed pumps, also from Banana Republic (also squishily padded and comfortable with a conservative 2 3/4" stacked heel).



Either way, the big things to look for in interview shoes are: anything professional, low key, and highly unlikely to bring out one's klutzy side. You often have no idea what the interview site will bring (hikes up scary stairs to meet the rest of the crew, or heaven forbid, courtyards with cobblestones), so it's best to err on the side of being able to walk. Safely.

HAIR, NAILS, JEWELRY
I'm taking another risk and going with wearing my long, curly hair down and in its natural state. I use about a billion Aveda products to keep it in line, more on that later.

As for jewelry, extra small, itty bitty, discreet gold studs from 360jewelselite on Etsy. A touch to show that I care, but nothing that will draw attention. You want the interviewer to pay attention to you, and not the big sparkly growth hanging from your head.



Nails - A nice, nude polish - Nonfat Soy Half Caff from OPI for Sephora. Great shot of the color here.



My trusty grey Nine West purse (similarish sorta).



Aaaaaand...I'm missing something. The abundance of curly hair makes me think I should skip a necklace - it will get lost in the ringlets anyway. But what to wear on my wrist? A watch? A bangle? Nothing at all? Mystery, mystery.