<p>BTW: HisGraceFillsMe: You and my daughter were applying the same year for college. I remember you from the USC board. I remember how impressed I (and a number of others) were impressed by you. It is so lovely (and amazing) that so much time has flown by.And now…looking for jobs! Great luck! You go!</p>
<p>Emaheevul-we’ve talked a lot at my work about interview attire and the consensus is that it’s good to show your personality. I wear a lot of scarves, pops of color, etc. (I look sick without at least some color because I have such fair skin and dark hair/eyebrows.) Most (I’d say 95%) of the schools I’m applying to are not conservative at all.</p>
<p>Bevhills, thank you! It’s so crazy to think that I’m almost done with grad school. It has flown by!!! Graduation is May 3rd. I’m hoping to have a job by then. (If anyone knows of a good job in University Housing/Residential Life…) So far I’ve had 5 or 6 phone interviews, 1 second-round Skype interviews, and I have 6 interviews scheduled at the conference at the end of the month.</p>
<p>I’ve applied at Oregon State, American, Western Washington, Pacific Lutheran, Georgetown (the school I’ve done a 2nd-round with), Gonzaga, Saint Louis U, WUSTL, Ohio State, Sonoma State, Lewis & Clark, and U of San Francisco. USF is the only rejection I’ve gotten so far. Still no reply from American or WUSTL, so I’m assuming those are no-gos. So far my interviews at the conference are with Virginia Commonwealth, Boise State, Northern Kentucky, Saint Louis U, UNC Asheville, Hobard and William Smith, and Ohio State.</p>
<p>Oregon State and Gonzaga are my top choices right now, but I’m also loving the research I’m doing with Northern Kentucky! And things may change after the conference. We’ll see!!! I’ve had very good luck and gotten great feedback from my interviews so far. Our Master’s program has done a really good job at preparing us and they always say “We’ll get you the interview, you do the rest.” The sheer variety of schools that I’m interviewing with (ALL of my interviews at the conference are from schools that reached out to me and asked to interview me) has been very interesting, surprising, and flattering. It’s been a great experience so far! But remind me of this feeling when more rejections come in…</p>
<p>HisGraceFillsMe, it’s not a matter of not hiring you for a “ridiculous reason”. The entire university is not going to have a policy against nose piercings or funky handbags. But someone in the first line of interviewing may find them offputting, and that could make the difference in getting to the next level–where perhaps no one cares at all. The idea is to not give anyone a reason to put your resume at the bottom of the pile, even if that means toning it down a bit when you are making your first impression. Anyone who is experienced in hiring will tell you to err on the side of conservatism, regardless of the employer’s culture. And in the unlikely event an otherwise perfect job involves a dress code that bars nose piercings, I hope you won’t be foolish enough to turn it down over such a trivial matter. Great jobs are not going to pile up on your doorstep. Your attitude is a bit cocky, but you’re young and just putting your big toe into the job market, so I understand. I wish you the best of luck in finding your dream position. Just keep in mind that it’s a buyer’s market out there, and when selling yourself you may have to be flexible in your attitude and thoughtful about what hill you’re prepared to die on.</p>
<p>MommaJ-With all due respect, you’ve made your point and I disagree. You don’t get to judge me and call my professionalism into question based on the limited view you have of me through CC. Your posts have been extremely condescending and reek of “let’s help the young, naive girl get a job” when that’s neither what I asked for, nor something I need. Maybe I am cocky, but I also know that the skills I have are good ones and that I don’t need to “tone it down” to get a job. That’s not how it works in Student Affairs. They want to see your personality. They want to know that you’ll be a good fit for their department and their institution. I’m not going to blatantly lie about who I am in an interview when I’ve applied for upwards of 20 jobs and I know I’m one of the top candidates for at least two of them. And at least half of them contacted me and are pursuing me–I already know they like me, so why do I need to completely change my look/style/whatever? I don’t.</p>
<p>My Master’s Program has prepared us well; and my colleagues and I are in fact overqualified for the entry-level jobs we’re applying for. Our alums have been told this by interviewers for years. One woman that I interviewed with over the phone told me she had already called my supervisor because she thought I was either making my resume up or had used someone else’s…because “there’s no way someone just out of grad school has that much experience.”</p>
<p>Like I said: I will wear professional attire. I’m not going to show up in jeans, nor am I going to talk about religion and politics in my interview. I’m not going to carry a neon yellow bag or put bright pink streaks in my hair. I’m aware of proper etiquette and I know how to present myself as a young professional. But the point I’m trying to make is that first of all, the definition of “professional” is different in my field than in many others. And that if a school really has a policy against nose rings, then it isn’t the perfect job for me. Because not only would I have to change part of myself (This isn’t just a piercing I got randomly on Spring Break; I’ve had it since I was 15 and it is indeed a big part of my self-expression), but that also says something about their expectations of their employees–which trickles down to the students–that I don’t like. I’ve already worked for a department that I don’t agree with, and I’m not willing to do that again just so I can say I have a job. I refuse to settle and be job searching again in a year.</p>
<p>And quite frankly, in Student Affairs it’s not a buyer’s market. These institutions–particularly in Housing and Residential Life–have extremely high turnover rates because of the demands of the job. People rotate out every year, and the institution needs to fill that position. 98% of the graduates from our program have jobs in our field within 6 months of graduation–and the other 2% choose to pursue other options. So, respectfully, it’s like I said earlier–Student Affairs is very different from what you may be used to in other fields; which is why I haven’t asked for career advice here. Because we’re a unique field and it’s sometimes difficult for people in traditional fields to understand. (And the idea of a department having a piercing policy would make any Student Affairs professional laugh. It’s just not something that matters to us.)</p>
<p>My millennial is showing, I know. And trust me when I say I have put a lot of thought into this–there are things I’m willing to compromise on, and things I’m not willing to compromise on. Those things may seem trivial to you, but they’re not to me. I don’t expect you to understand it, but in future I would appreciate if you would respect it and tone down the condescension a bit. Thanks.</p>
<p>I get it. You’re applying for entry level positions you feel you’re overqualified for, positions that have extremely high turnover rates because of the demands of the job. In that case, it sounds like these are easy jobs for you to snag, and in that case nothing I suggested matters. But at some point later in your career when you are going for the brass ring job, the one you really have to compete for, you may want to revisit my advice (none of which, btw, remotely suggested you “blatantly lie” about yourself or “completely change” your look/style). I wish you all the best in your career.</p>
<p>I like the bag. Heck, my computer bag until recently had different color polka dots on it. And yes, I carried it with me on a couple of job interviews for which I WAS hired. </p>
<p>When you get to the interview, just politely place your bag on the floor next to your chair. Honestly, I’ve interviewed HUNDREDS of job candidates and so has my husband. No one was ever denied a position because of their pocketbook.</p>
<p>HGFM, many of us here have been following your college and grad school stories for years. Good luck to you. I have no doubt you will do well.</p>
<p>I just bought the cutest purse at the rack for a screaming deal. It’s a black and cream polka dot patent leather Kate Spade. Love it.</p>
<p>Thank you thumper! I’ve always really appreciated the support and encouragement I’ve found here. I know I haven’t been as active since I started grad school, but I always know I can come back if I need to.</p>
<p>The bag should arrive tomorrow, and the conference is the following weekend! I have 7 interviews lined up so far and am hoping to add a couple more before the actual conference. We’ll see! Wish me luck!</p>
<p>There are a few bags that would make you lose a job. A plastic bag from the market or a take out joint…Other tan that purchase what you like and can afford. Make sure that it is as advertised (leather or vinyl) and not a fake. </p>
<p>BTW: I have several Louis Vuittons…They are entirely lined in leather…the outside? Vinyl (with touches of leather.</p>
<p>I bought something like this for D when she went to her med school interview.<br>
<a href=“http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/Product-leather_tote-10551-10051-29429-en?cs=b4bk&catId=5000000000000015036”>http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/Product-leather_tote-10551-10051-29429-en?cs=b4bk&catId=5000000000000015036</a>
She used it again for residency interviews and may use it for real job interviews in the future. Is it a bag she would carry every day? No. She felt she should be more conservative as she never knew what the background of her interviewers would be. She did comment on the attire of the other interviewees she was with. “What were they thinking?” A black mini-skirt, purple tights, and white boots may not have been the right look for someone interviewing with a 50-something male program director…<br>
You know your audience best and I think the bag will be just fine from what you are describing. Sending you wishes for great interviews! </p>
<p>Both D1 and I carry a fairly large bag to work, so we could fit all the stuff we need through out the day. What I found useful is also to have a small pouch big enough to carry my credit cards, money, phone to take with me to meetings or out to lunch. I got one for D1 for xmas and she loves it. I have a more expensive version than the one I got for D1, but they come in various price range.</p>
<p>I, too, think the Fossil Bag is cute - especially for spring and summer. I don’t think it will be distracting at all and makes a statement. Now some may argue that making a statement isn’t really what one should do in an interview, but conversely it can help sort you from the herd. The nylon Neiman tote is a great deal…might have to pick one up myself to cart lunch, shoes and tablet 
and love the cobalt. Totes are one thing I seem to wear out every six months because I abuse the heck out of them. My purses…I spend more…actually alot, but they sure don’t get the abuse that a tote does. </p>
<p>Momofthreeboys, you now have an option to have a shrink-wrapped <em>very expensive</em> purse. 
Just scroll down to #4:
<a href=“Chanel Bags Fall 2014 - The Best Chanel Bags from PFW Fall 2014”>http://www.elle.com/_mobile/news/fashion-style/chanel-fall-2014-bags</a></p>
<p>I do the same thing as oldfort - haul everything in a large tote, park it at the office and then use my mini bag to run errands, go out to lunch, etc. </p>
<p>Oldfort, I LOVE the idea of carrying a smaller pouch “just in case!” Can you perhaps show me a link with what you’re describing? Like a clutch or just smaller handbag?</p>
<p>My D loves having a small leather wristlet, plus I’ve given her a larger tote that can hold scripts, jacket, and more stuff. I think she plans to use the two together, leaving the larger one at work and running about with the smaller one. (She doesn’t have a job yet, so we will see what actually works out.)</p>
<p><a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wristlets?dept=8000001&origin=topnav”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wristlets?dept=8000001&origin=topnav</a>
They have little strips so it is easy to carry.</p>
<p>Search wristlets on your favorite store website and oodles will pop up. TJ Maxx also often has great wristlets. And Vera is you’re a Vera fan.</p>
<p>HGFM, what I have is called “wallet on a chain”, and they come in all shapes and price ranges, from $25 at TJ Maxx to $2000 for a Chanel version. </p>
<p><a href=“Fossil USA - Watches, Handbags, Jewelry & Accessories”>Fossil USA - Watches, Handbags, Jewelry & Accessories;
<p><a href=“CHANEL Official Website: Fashion, Fragrance, Beauty, Watches, Fine Jewelry | CHANEL”>CHANEL Official Website: Fashion, Fragrance, Beauty, Watches, Fine Jewelry | CHANEL;
<p>D’s wristlet is an understated leather Coach one that has no embellishments and is all black. It is large enough to hold cards, cash, and keys, but not much more. Bought it at the factory outlet for around $40. D didn’t like the brightly patterned Vera Bradley one I also gave her, so I have reclaimed it.</p>
<p>10+ years ago when I started working for a company with multiple offices within few city blocks, I had to run between those buildings for meetings sometimes. I wanted to have my wallet and phone with me, but not my big handbag, so I bought a LV wristlet. I am onto my second one now.</p>