interview

I went to the temp agency & filled out my paperwork & tested, again, on their software -- I tested really, really GOOD, especially with my data entry skills. I have an interview on Friday for that receptionist position, but I'm not too sure if I will take it if it is offered to me. I work a really nice pair of women's trousers (very nice, too), and a black v-neck shirt; not a tee-shirt type, but the rayon type? I asked the girl at the agency what type of dress code that this place has ( it is a home building compnay) and she said very, very professional. So, when she called me to schedule the interview with the client, I asked her if what I had on today was appropriate, and she said the pants were, but the shirt she thought was a little too casual! Sorry, but IMO, it looked very nice & dressy. Mind you, I dont own ANY dress clothes since I've worn nothing but jeans & shorts to my last job .... And, I told her that. Which brings me to if they do offer me the job, I have a feeling they'd want whoever to start on Monday. If I DO get it, I don't know what I will say. We dont get paid til next week, and I sure as hell don't have money to go & buy me a lot of new clothes........
I told hubby, I'd rather wait & get this re-financing out of the way, too ........... I know it will all be fine ...... but if I do get that job, what do I tell the agency? I'd hope they'd understand?

And, the position is only paying $10.00, which is fine with me now, but if they want you to dress UP professionally, I think they should offer a little bit more...... JMO.

Do you by any chance know someone, a friend, sister, etc..that would be your size, that you could borrow a few dress clothes from, until you get your first paycheck? Or maybe put them on a credit card, and then pay it off just as soon as you got paid? I am sure whatever decision you make will work out fine for you, these are just some suggestions I had. I agree with you, though...if they want you to wear such nice clothes, they should pay a little more. But maybe if you get your foot in the door, (so to speak) they will offer you a raise pretty soon.
Let us know what you decide. If you don't take this one, I am sure something else will come along soon! Good luck!!!

Tigger - do you have a Savers in your area? It's like a Goodwill or ARC, but you can generally find better quality clothes. Check the second-hand stores and you can pick up at least a few nice blouses for under $10. I know ARC here has $0.99 days on Wednesday and Saturdays. I've actually found designer clothes at second-hand stores. You may have to do some digging, and be sure to wash them before you wear them, but you should be able to find something.

Temp agencies are pretty fickle. I don't want to force you into something you don't want to do, but be prepared that if you don't take this assignment, they may not offer you the choice jobs. Also, if this assignment doesn't work out, don't be afraid to have two or three temp agencies working for you. It isn't against any written or unwritten rule, and the more people you have looking the better your chances are.

I agree with the second hand store suggestion. I occaisionally go to Value Village and pick up T-shirts for the hubby ofr work (he is really rough on them). When I was there I some some very nice stuff in amongst the scary stuff. I found a lovely skort and top there. Just make sure you wash it!

I, too am a thrift store queen. Some of my best stuff has come from them.

Get a few button-down shirts or blouses - that's usually professional enough.

I heard Wal-Mart has pretty cheap clothes, too, so I might go there, if I do get the job. The temp agency called to confirm my appt. tomorrow & I had brought it up if they were to offer me the position, I told her I'm going to have a hard time getting clothes since I don't get paid til next Wednesday -- she told me to let them know..... She understood, which was the cool part. If it sounds to be an ok job & if they offer it to me, I'll probably end up taking it...... She said you do a lot of multi-tasking, which I like to do.

So, what do young girls (meaning girls who are my age 25) where now a days for a receptionist type of job? Skirts? Pant sets?

I think skirts or pant sets would be fine.

You can never go wrong with tailored stuff: skirts, pants, vests and jackets. I have several pairs of neutral pants (black, navy blue and khaki) and multiple colors of tops. Every top goes with every pair of pants. Saves dressing time: grab the first clean pair of pants and top and go.

Good luck, with the job!

Throw a blazer over the top of that top and some chunky jewley and you will knock 'em dead! Good luck!!!!

listen to me......the fashion plate!

I do the same thing Cindy suggested - a lot of mix and match outfits. Every skirt or pants that I buy, I make sure it can be worn with a few different tops. I think most professional women wear pant sets, just because it is more comfortable.

Oh, and be sure that they can be washed at home. Nothing sucks more than wearing something once, and then it goes in a pile for months waiting to be dry cleaned. (BTW, has anyone tried that home dry-cleaning stuff, Dryel I think? I've been wondering about it but don't want to waste the money if it doesn't work. Or worse yet, ruin my clothes.)

Wal-Mart clothes are actually pretty good. Be sure to check those clearance racks. I have gotten whole outfits for $7.

Unfortunately, I didnt go to the interview. My &&*#*#*#* alarm clock didnt go off until 10 minutes until I had to go! I called the agency & they said they couldn't work with me anymore. Oh well ........ There is nothing I can do about that one now. This has never happened to me before

Since I'm a receptionist, I thought I'd throw my two cents in! Our dress code here is business casual, so we can pretty much wear anything from khaki pants to jean skirts, but no shorts or clothes with words on them. I wear skirts a lot and I try to look as professional as possible. I would say that second hand stores are a good place to start looking because you can find some really nice stuff if you look hard enough. Good luck finding some things! I feel bad for you that you have to dress in business attire. I would HATE to have to really dress up every day for work.

Walgreen's has had to crack down, again, enforcing the dress code. Skirts can't be higher than 3" above the knee and heels can't be over 1" high. My old manager sent a cosmetician home, because her skirt barely covered her butt. When you're reaching up or, squatting, to stock shelves, you can't have your butt hanging out.

I've been appalled at what's been showing up, requesting applications. One guy had a shaved head, with gang tattoos all over it. Sure, we're gonna hire HIM! The women are just as bad: cutoffs, cropped tops and those low-rise jeans that leave their underwear showing!

I wear miniskirts, halter tops and bustiers but not to work! Also, if I tried to spend 8-10 hours, on my feet in my 4" stilettos, I'd be crippled!

Sorry about your interview, Tigger. Better luck, with the next one!

Originally posted by katl8e
Walgreen's has had to crack down, again, enforcing the dress code. Skirts can't be higher than 3" above the knee and heels can't be over 1" high. My old manager sent a cosmetician home, because her skirt barely covered her butt. When you're reaching up or, squatting, to stock shelves, you can't have your butt hanging out.

I've been appalled at what's been showing up, requesting applications. One guy had a shaved head, with gang tattoos all over it. Sure, we're gonna hire HIM! The women are just as bad: cutoffs, cropped tops and those low-rise jeans that leave their underwear showing!

I wear miniskirts, halter tops and bustiers but not to work! Also, if I tried to spend 8-10 hours, on my feet in my 4" stilettos, I'd be crippled!

Sorry about your interview, Tigger. Better luck, with the next one!

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Wow, I won't even wear that stuff to school.(Come to think of it, I don't own a pair of low-risers and I only wear tanktops to bed or on very hot days). My mom works at a grocery store, and one seventeen year old girl came in for her interview fresh out of the pool, with wet unbrushed hair and a bikini top on with short shorts. I wonder how they think anyone will hire them dressed like that?

And I'm sorry about the interview Tigger. I wish you the best of luck with the next one.

And for formal clothes (I sometimes have to buy them for volunteering at the senior's home. Have to be very very very conservative), I usually hit the outlet stores. I've found really nice things for less than half their original prices. But now they want me to wear scrub sets...argh.

I think scrubs would be kinda cool to wear! I forgot about the outlet stores too! We have TJ Max, Ross & Marshall's. I'd go to a K-Mart, but I think all of them in AZ went out of business!
I activated my name in 2 former agencies that I registered at .... On Monday, I go to one of them because they want to interview me. I still cant believe the alarm clock didn't go off The least they could've done was bump up the interview to a half an early later.... I'm sorry, but people make mistakes. oH well, I'm going to another on Monday, so hopefully they can find one for me. I'm not giving up.

Tigger, we still have KMarts, in Tucson. I think there are Buffalo Exchanges, in Phoenix, too. They have high-quality consignment stuff.

Tigger, I'm so sorry to hear you missed your interview!!! Hopefully the one Monday will go well! I will send up good thoughts for you!!!

Cindy,
Did most of the Kmart's go out of business in AZ or was it just some of them? The one down the street from me & the one in Ahwatukee are gone

Hubby thinks I should ask for the girl's manager at the agency since she was kind of rude about it .. what do you guys think?

I think that sounds ridiculous that they can't work with you anymore. It's really money out of their pockets since they won't be able to use you. Just like you said, people make mistakes. Was the interview with the temp agency or with the company? I could understand them being a bit more upset if it was with the actual company, but still. Sounds like that agency wasn't really going to work with/for you regardless if that one position didn't work out. I'd say cut your losses and move on. There are other places that I'm sure would be happy to work with you.

It was for one of their clients.......
Anyways, I was registered at a few prior to being married, so I re-actived my status at them. I go to one on Monday for an interview. and they said they'd be glad to re-test me. I think some of them can be so snotty, depending on the person you get. I'm hoping it wont be too hard to find a $10.00/hr job