Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Looking Good For an Interview on a Budget

Everybody knows you've got to look your best for an interview, but what if you can't afford fancy work clothes?

While your skills, experience and interview technique are ultimately the most important factors at an interview, there is no denying that first impressions certainly do count, and interviewers will naturally take note of how you present yourself.

So the moment you've been waiting for has arrived. You've just scheduled your interview for your dream job. Has your mood shifted from being excited to being overwhelmed within seconds? Are unpleasant thoughts rushing through your mind? What will I wear? I need a haircut, but I can't afford one. How will I do my makeup?

To ensure that you hit the right notes, we're sharing some cost-conscious tips for pulling together a stylish interview outfit.

LOOK CLOSER TO HOME

First, take a proper look in your wardrobe. Do you really have nothing to wear? Put everything that can be 'smartened up' into a pile and look at what's missing. If you have an outfit but you haven't got any shoes, you only need to buy those. Most of the time you have pieces in your wardrobe that you're able to work into a new outfit. It may not be the perfect outfit you were dreaming of, but they're your clothes so you'll feel more comfortable in them.

GET THRIFTY

At your local thrift store or charity shop, you can probably find an interview outfit for around £20. We found that Age UK in Norwich was a great place to find interview clothes at a low price. If you've never bought from a charity shop before you may be sceptical of their ability to deliver the good when it comes to interview attire, but you would be surprised at what a little digging can do.

First, we had to consider whether we were looking for bottoms and a top or a dress. The advantage of buying a dress is that you only have to buy one item, therefore spending more money on it. The downside is that it's harder to find an expensive-looking dress on a budget. So we opted instead for a simple skirt and a classy blouse.

THE BOTTOMS

We began with the bottom half. Deciding on this item was tricker than expected: they had a wide range of them in the charity shop we were in, but we kept finding faults. Because our goal was to create an outfit that looks expensive, we had to be tedious with the details. This meant passing on the majority of pairs of trousers they had in store.

In the end, we settled on this black pencil skirt with a subtle ruffle detailing. Because we chose a skirt rather than trousers, the quality wasn't as apparent when you look at it so it looked like a decent work skirt. The skirt is a midi length so it hits just below the knee for a smart, but stylish finish. And this only cost £3.99!

THE TOP

We headed over to the top section where we thought we would find a number of exciting shirts to pair the skirt with, and we were right. The only problem was that a lot of trending details, like lace and ruffles, cheapened the look of the item. So after some searching, we found this cute teal blouse for just £3.99. After all, what's smarter than a blouse for an interview? It's a teal colour, which can be risky, but because of the black-focused bottom half, it complements the outfit and gives it a pop of colour.

THE SHOES

Shoes, shoes, shoes...one of the biggest dilemmas for us girls. Heels can make you feel empowered and sophisticated so it may feel like the perfect finish to your interview ensemble. It's the accessories that are going to show your true colours if you're shopping on a budget, so we planned to pick up a decent pair of shoes. To complete the look there was nothing for it other than simple, black heels for £3.99. Wearing a solid pair of shoes is essential, so we were willing to pay more for these ones, hence why we were so surprised when we discovered how affordable they were. Take note that the entire shoe is black, apart from the gold detailing on the side. Details like patterns or a contrast heel would let your outfit down. This was a case of less is more and these ones completed the outfit perfectly.

Men should opt for black or brown shoes and avoid things like trainers.

THE JACKET

The key to the perfect look for an interview is simplicity, which is fortunate when you're working with a tight budget. Investing in a staple piece is a great top tip. A tailored black blazer will leave you looking and feeling sophisticated and professional and it can be worn time and time again for every interview. We found this one for just £6.99, which really isn't bad when it's giving you a formal and sophisticated edge. By investing in pieces like this, you can afford to choose slightly cheaper tops next time, so you're able to refresh the outfit and retain a classy look without breaking the bank.

THE ACCESSORIES

When it comes to accessories, less is more. Just because it's your favourite belt, chunky necklace and scarf, that doesn't mean you should wear them all at once. It's best to keep it simple and don't overdo it. Discreet jewellery such as a pair of pearl stud earrings or a delicate silver necklace and bracelet will finish the look nicely, adding a touch of femininity without overpowering the rest of the outfit.

For a perfect interview bag, it needs to be big enough to fit your folder, a notebook and everything you would normally carry in your bag, as well as maybe a bottle of water. It should be a reasonable size but not so big that the interviewer fears you're hoping to crash on the sofa in the waiting room after your interview. I always like a black bag as it goes with everything. We found the perfect sized bag for only £3.99 which you can wear across your body for a more casual look or on one shoulder to make it look slightly more formal.

For men, a nice watch is always a good idea as it gives the impression that you are an organised interviewee. Also take time to get your shoes shined which will help you look polished and professional, and make sure you know how to properly tie your tie. I feel like a nice briefcase or document holder makes it look like you mean business.

If you feel uncomfortable buying previously owned clothes but still want to look the part, here's a list of stores where you can buy that job interview outfit that will surely impress your potential employer...

H&M

Need a new blazer to make you stand out as professional? Or how about some accessories to enhance your look? H&M has got you covered. With a variety of blazers for under £30, you'll have plenty of money left over to shop for some of their affordable yet classy accessories.

Primark

Let's not forget about shoes. Whether you want flats, boots, loafers or even some traditional pumps, Primark has some amazing shoes for affordable prices.

ASOS

If online shopping is your thing, you might want to consider Asos to help you buy your interview outfit. Though some items are on the pricier side, they've got a sale section with sophisticated clothes that are sure to fit your budget

George, Asda

If you don't have a lot of time to shop online before your interview, consider going into a supermarket like Asda. You are sure to find whatever you need in there. You will find a selection of trendy outfits for both men and women to fit the look that's right for you.

Zara

Zara is definitely a smart choice when looking for career outfits that will grab anyone's attention. From nice tops to classy skirts for petite or tall men/women, Zara is sure to impress and also has a few items on clearance at the minute.

CLEAN CLOTHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

It's important to show that you've made an effort to find the proper outfit for your job interview. Employers will not penalise you if your interview clothes are not new or expensive, as long as they fit you, are neat and tidy and look professional. Timpson offer a dry cleaning service for the unemployed who are going for an interview where they clean an outfit for you free of charge, which is very generous of them. All you have to do is pop into your local Timpson and have a chat with them. So long as the items you take in are for a genuine job interview, they will help you on your way.

CHARITIES

Get in touch with organisations such as Smart Works and Suited & Booted. These charities and others like them provide interview-quality clothing to economically disadvantaged people and the unemployed. The services are free and they even provide advice, interview training and support.

HAIR

Before your interview, head to the hairdressers/barbers to get a fresh, clean trim. It's important to note that this is no time to get adventurous, so ask for a normal haircut instead of one that could end up looking like you lost a bet. While the barber is at it, ask for a shave too. If you're partial to your beard, no problem, you can keep it, but it must be tidied up prior to your interview.

We did some research to gather our own haircut spending hacks. Here are a few ideas to get you started - you will never pay full price to get your hair trimmed ever again!

Become a hair model

This is a massive tip as it involves getting your hair cut for zero pennies or just a fraction of the price! All that's required is that you let whoever is doing your hair take charge and don't get too fussy about what you want. Hairdressers wanting to practice their haircuts will offer free or discounted cuts to anyone willing to be a guinea pig. They'll always be supervised by someone more experienced so the chances of something going wrong is low. Keep an eye out for leaflets or posters or just pop in and ask. We found that Salon Sixty Six do super cheap cut and blow-dries for just £10 if you're willing to be a model.

Opt for a dry cut

For some, the whole process of getting a haircut is what they enjoy. However, if you are willing to compromise you could save a fair bit of money. If you ask to have the cut without the wash and blow dry, you'll get the same haircut but without the cost of washing, drying and the expensive salon products.

Use training colleges

There are hundreds of students training to be hairdressers in college in every city, and they're constantly desperate for volunteers who are interested in getting their hair snipped free of charge. Trainees are also well supervised so there is no need to worry about something going wrong, although it may take a bit longer than you're used to so I'd set some extra time aside. At the Anglian Hair Academy in Norwich, they do free men's cuts with their trainees, what have you got to lose?

Look out for student discounts

All businesses love students, and many will give incentives if it means gaining a customer. Armed with your trusty student card, you will be able to get some serious discounts on your haircut. For example, hairdressing chain John Oliver offers 20% off all hairdressing services for people with a valid student card.

MAKEUP

The key to interview makeup is to keep it simple. This definitely isn't the time to experiment with your style. If you normally wear a red lip, by all means wear it. However, if you're a newbie I would consider skipping it. You don't want to risk it coming off or rubbing onto your teeth or coffee cup. Also, stick to warm tones and tone down the glamorous eye shadow.

If you can't afford to buy your own expensive makeup in time for your interview, pop into a department store and aks them to apply a bit of lippy or a touch of eyeshadow. We popped into the Chanel stand in Jarrold's, Norwich where they offer complimentary flash services. In here you get the choice of flawless face, signature lips, expressive eyes or defining brows. It's also worth mentioning that throughout May and June, Chanel in Jarrold's is offering a full makeup experience with a Chanel makeup artist or beauty advisor FOR FREE! Considering this service is usually £25-£45, this is a massive bonus and I think I may have to make an excuse to pop in their myself for a free makeover! And if you like the makeup they use, you can always go back and buy the makeup once you've got the job.

Also on the Chanel stand in Jarrold's, they offer a bespoke fragrance consultation for free where you're able to test out their perfumes and find the one that's perfect for you. This is a fabulous alternative if you can't afford to invest in an expensive bottle of perfume in time for your interview.

If you're short of a Jarrold's in your town, why not pop into your local Boots store and give yourself a quick spritz of perfume or aftershave testers? You get to choose from a range of scents and the interviewer will never know that it's not your own! For similar makeup services, pop into your local Debenhams or department store and they're sure to offer similar services!

DON'T FORGET TO SMILE

A smile can be a powerful tool at a first meeting. Even if you feel nervous, make sure you smile because it will make you come across as friendly and relaxed.