Hi everyone, I have an alumni interview coming up and I want to know if I should paint my nails or not.
I’m wearing a white blouse with black dress pants and black heels. Would it be bad if I painted my nails either: ruby red, light pink, maroon, or slate? Or would it be better to go without polish or some clear polish?
We’re meeting at a Starbucks, by the way. I don’t know the procedure. Should I get something to drink during the interview? Should I offer to get something for him? If I get there before him, should I just sit down at a table and wait? Or stand at the door?
What matters most about your appearance is that you look as if this matters to you - dress in a way that shows you care (i.e., clean, neat, and if possible at least a level up from a regular school day, if not two levels up), and also in a way that makes you feel confident. You’ve already chosen a great level of outfit - IF that’s something you’re comfortable wearing. If you normally wear nail polish, and feel better when your nails are done, then by all means do them. If it’s something you would only do for a really rare occasion, and you’d be overly conscious of them, then don’t. Clearly you already get that it wouldn’t be the time for a super-glitter-gel/individual bedazzle mani. So just go with the option that makes you feel best about you.
Not to beat this to death, but if you don’t wear heels often enough to be comfortable walking in them, don’t wear them to the interview. Anything that feels like a costume, anything that makes you feel as if you’re not sure you’re wearing it right, is not a good choice for an interview at a coffee shop (or really, any interview).
The basic interview rule is, dress for the job you want. The job you want is college student*. You don’t have to try to look like an executive, especially when you’re meeting at a coffee shop. *College student at the top of their game, that is. You obviously don’t want to dress like a college student wearing pjs to an 8 a.m. class.
I think nail polish is perfectly fine. Sounds like a great outfit.
I wouldn’t expect a high schooler to buy my drink,. I’d plan to arrive early to be safe, then get a drink if you like and wait at a table. Good luck!
For a Starbucks interview, be neat but comfortable. The point is that your clothing and appearance should not be a distraction for you or the interviewer. I do all my interviews at Starbucks, and the gamut of clothing I have seen run from nice jeans to skirts/pants/khakis, blouses/shirts, sweaters. I think your outfit is perfectly appropriate. On nails, just don’t go crazy with some crazy design or colors.
More importantly, be punctual (that means at least 5 minutes early). I usually offer to buy the interviewee a drink. I would not offer to buy the interviewer a drink. If you get there first, find a visible table and sit down. You might want to email the interviewer in advance and let him/her know what you will be wearing.
I think if you are there first, get a drink. I think it is poor manners for an alum interviewer to not get a drink when meeting students at Starbucks. They are taking advantage of a business by using their space and not “paying” for it in any way. If they are there before you and offer to get you a drink, I would say yes (as long as they are getting one for themselves.)
My daughter had an ivy league alum interview once at a local Starbucks. The alum not only didn’t buy anything, he asked the barista to lower the music. Extremely rude in my opinion.
JMHO, I wouldn’t go with pink. Given the conservative nature of what it sounds like you’re wearing, I’d recommend something similarly conservative. Maybe dark red or something neutral.
I’m about as far from a fashionista as you can get, but probably not far from an alumni interviewer.
Nail polish isn’t going to make or break your interview, as long as your nails don’t look like sloth claws and the rest of you presents professionally.
The main idea is not to have your appearance be distracting.
So painted nails (unless 2 inches long) or not painted nails are not distracting.
Half painted nails would be distracting.
Look nice…but don’t wear heels, say, if you are not comfortable wearing them. But don’t wear lounge pants.
I would suggest getting a beverage for yourself before the time of the interview (because it is good to spend money at the place you are hanging out at. It is also find if you don’t. Sit near the entrance if possible, and look for someone who might have a notebook or papers or someone who is looking around. Also make sure to have a copy of your resume (unless they told you not to).
Don’t get a drink for the interviewer…you don’t want it to seem like a bribe.
I have been an alumni interviewer for several years.
Don’t worry about nail polish or heels. Just be yourself. If you typically wear heels, I would wear heels. Otherwise, don’t bother. The most important thing to do is to give a genuine representation of who you truly are.
To prepare for the interview, make sure you do some research about the school and ask some specific questions about life on campus and about the school. Talk about how you will contribute to the school and where you will fit in. Also, be sure to ask the interviewer questions about their experience and how/why they chose that school.
it’s interesting that @RichInPitt said they wouldn’t go with pink because it’s not conservative and that red would be more conservative? I thought you were thinking of a pale pink like a ballet slipper or the kind you get with a French manicure. If so, to me that’s very conservative and simple while red stands out more. But as others have said, I think whatever you’re comfortable with and feel looks nice on you - I think either red or pale pink would be just fine. Good luck! P.S. I just saw that @doschicos said the same thing as me.
So just go with the option that makes you feel best about you.