What to wear for interview?

[gerbo]

I have applied for a TA job at a local school which it is fairly likely I will be asked to interview for (have done lots of voluntary work in this role, etc.) and have taught the year group it's in in the past ( was a teacher many moons ago!)

I have been out of schools being a sahm and also childminding for a few years and am now hoping to join this school as a T.A. I feel my interview prep is going fine but have no clue as to what to wear!

I'm limited in getting-to-the -shops ability (only just learned to drive, stuck in middle of nowhere, very busy day to day working life) so am thinking about ordering online. I also have a Next voucher I'm hoping to use up.

So........would you go for

1. Smart suit with camisole or shirt underneath, or is that overdoing it? I have a navy Jigsaw trouser suit that's about 10 years old but still just fits....? Think it's bootleg though, may be a bit dated.
   
2. Smart ish navy trousers and crisp white cotton shirt?
   
3. As above but with pretty white cotton short sleeve blouse?
   

I have very few clothes, all from charity shops, which have tided me over the last few years, but now I feel all at sea!!! The job means a lot to me and I don't want to get it wrong.

And shoes....are ballerina flats ok? Or heels? Kitten heels?!

I know it's a petty dilemma but am hoping some current T.A.s could advise. Thanks in advance.

[Clonakiltylil]

I should go in business dress - so whichever is the smartest. Some schools are more casual, but you won't know what everyone else wears until you get there. Being overdressed is fine - it is an interview, after all - but being underdressed never is.

And wear something comfortable on your feet! When I tour applicants for a job around my school, I always feel sorry for those with heels. You want to be thinking about your responses to questions, not how much your feet hurt! Ballerina pumps are fine.

[gerbo]

Thanks Clona, I didn't want to turn up necessarily in a business suit as when I mentioned this idea to a teacher friend she laughed! The school staff are reasonably smart but not suited. Would you still suggest a suit????

[pigwitch]

I recently had an interview in the NHS and was also in this dilemma. I wore some smart pinstripe trousers, a knitted shortsleeved top and pointy flats. All from Next!

[PetulaGordino]

ok i'm not a teacher nor do i work in a school, so feel free to ignore if irrelevant but:

• don't worry about clothes being a little dated, smart is more important, and it's a school not vogue
  

• as clona said always go for smarter over risk of being underdressed. i work in a casual office and everyone wears very smart business dress for internal job interviews/promotions (so you can always tell! )
  

• you need to feel comfortable in your clothes and shoes, so if you're going to be on your feet all day think about that, as well as if you need to do bending down, sitting on carpet etc (not sure if that's relevant)

[Cakecrumbsinmybra]

Gosh, I am reading this with interest as I have an interview next week, also for a TA position. I have not had a job interview for, ooh, 9 years and I have hardly any TA experience (am a parent helper in DS's school - not the school where the interview is). Infact I can hardly believe I have an interview! So, what to wear is the last thing on my list, but now I am worried about that too! Good luck OP. Personally I would go for the smart trousers and shirt/blouse option. I am not planning on wearing a suit (don't own one these days anyway).