Frugal, Investment or Foolish?

Posted on April 17, 2008
Filed Under Income |

When the phone rang yesterday and the caller id said Unknown, I just knew it was a sales call and I hate them. I answered the phone and they asked for me using my full name. I put on my best suspicious voice and asked who was calling. When they said it was the State, I almost died.

We set up the interview for Monday afternoon and as soon as I hung up, I did a mental review of my closet. Having recently lost a little over 40 lbs and 4 sizes, nothing I have fits. I know from prior experience that I have to be really comfortable with what I am wearing on an interview or it adds an incredible amount of stress and nerves to an already stressful event.

I had to go to the city last night anyway and I had an extra hour so I swung by Ross Dress for Less to see what they had. I found an awesome suit and blouse that was priced at $69.99. Ouch! It’s really not terribly expensive for a quality suit (the suit was tagged at $200 and I found a smilar one by the same designer on Amazon for $170) but that is my food budget for the month.

While I think it’s a worthwhile investment, I am not sure it is the most frugal thing I have ever done. I feel a little guilty about spending the money on it but I am not second guessing the decision to purchase it. Right now, I think I am considering it an investment. If I don’t get the job it might move to the foolish category.

Coming in on the good investment side of things are the following articles. Almost every one mentions that it is important to dress appropriately for an interview.

What Not to Do in an Interview is a great list of things that you shouldn’t do in an interview.

Phone Interviews Even though this is an in person interview, there is some good information here.

17 Tips on Finding Your Dream Job covers more than just interview techniques but touches on them as well.

Have you found that the way you dress is important on an interview? Any interview skills or techniques to share? What was the most difficult question you were ever asked on an interview? Do you know of a good article to help me prepare?

Help keep me awake to write by buying me a cup of coffee! .

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Comments

5 Responses to “Frugal, Investment or Foolish?”

Patrick (2 comments.) on April 17th, 2008 6:05 am

Good luck on your interview!

Yes, I think clothing is very important for an interview for reasons of appearance and feeling good about yourself. I think your suit and blouse is a great investment. Even if you don’t get this job, you will have it for other interviews/work situations.

For clothing, I tend to buy classic items that never go out of style - black dress shoes, solid color shirts (blur, white), solid color pants (black, dark gray), etc. Depending on how much you need to dress up for work, you can add in khakis, sweaters, polos, etc.

Of course, I’m sure a few things are different for women, but the basics are the same.

Thanks for the link.
LJ (2 comments.) on April 17th, 2008 7:58 am

Good Luck with your interview, I’m sure you’ll do great and really impress them
bouncing betty (6 comments.) on April 17th, 2008 9:09 am

I’ll be thinking happy thoughts for you on Monday. I’d get the suit, if you end up not needing it again, you can always re-sell it on Craig;s list or someplace like that. My local consignment shop does a split on clothes sales as well.
Jungleswife (5 comments.) on April 17th, 2008 9:50 am

I’ve been on both sides of the interview process. If the interview is important to you, I think you made a good decision. It will help you feel more confident and the interviewer will know you are taking the opportunity seriously.

I don’t remember the name of it, but I found a good book about interviews at the library several years ago. It lists questions you might be asked and how to (and how not to) respond. I don’t think fast on my feet - especially when I’m nervous - so I found it very helpful.

FYI - I checked out the book because it was going to be my first time conducting an interview. I didn’t know what to ask, and I was nervous. It is often awkward or at the very least and inconvenience for the interviewer. If you can help put the interviewer at ease right off the bat, that would put you way ahead of the game.

Wishing you the best!
NH Mom of 3 (1 comments.) on April 18th, 2008 11:34 am

Even though it feels like a splurge when it is not in your budget, I think this falls into the investment category. I recently had a number of items dry cleaned so I had more interview/professional items in “ready” status for interviews and professional networking opportunities. I could have just as easily just bought a kit and freshened them up at home, but I wanted to make the best possible impression. And, I hate to iron! LOL Good luck on your interview!