Skirts vs. Pants in Job Interviews

Making a good first impression on a job interview is crucial. First impressions are all about how individuals present themselves. This sets both the mood and tone for the interview. What you wear will reflect your professionalism and personality. Women in the corporate workplace are recommended to wear pants or a pants suit.

However, the proper attire for women has changed over the years. Women are now welcomed to wear skirts that are knee-length or below the knee with stockings, in addition to the classic business suit. Magner Center representatives also claim that women can also pull off professional dresses sparkled lightly with accessories to an interview. Women are no longer obligated to go for a job interview wearing a navy suit or white blouse.

Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome, the director of Women's Studies program at Brooklyn College advised students to dress neatly. "It doesn't make a difference what a person wears. I care about what the person knows, if they're efficient, reliable, mature."

She acknowledged that she has worn a skirt in the past to a job interview and it was not a problem because the interviewees were more focused on her knowledge.

Cassandra Hulla, a senior English major, said, "It is now acceptable for women to wear either skirts or pants to work." However, she added that women might be advised to wear pants, because they are "more gender neutral and skirts are more sexually provoking."

According to Princeton University Career Services, "Although appearance is important you want to make sure that you are remembered for your skills and not your clothing. It is important to dress smart and conservative. We recommend wearing a dark colored suit with a neutral colored shirt or blouse. Skirt or pant suit is appropriate for women. Avoid busy-patterned ties and excessive amounts of jewelry or accessories. You want the interviewer to focus on you and not what you're wearing," a Goldman Sachs recruiter said about the importance of proper business attire.

Natalia Guarin-Klein, the career education and training coordinator at the Magner Center advised students that you couldn't go wrong in a formal business skirt suit. She stated that in her experiences working in business she never heard a comment about a woman wearing pants or skirts and that most companies will not get upset if you wear pants. She recommends wearing skirts that are not too short.

Women in the Women's Center don't feel compelled to wear pants rather than skirts to a job interview. It is based on what the individual prefers and feels comfortable in.

"I prefer pants, but it really shouldn't make a difference. If you're going to be distracted by a woman in a skirt, then you shouldn't work around me," said Jillian Rodney, a sophomore majoring in Education.

Theresa Tucker, senior and nutrition major doesn't think business attire plays a role in getting a job.

"I got hired at my recent job wearing pants. I don't think someone wearing a skirt would get hired over me just for wearing a skirt," said Tucker.

In a recent poll conducted by an Introduction to Women's Studies class, four female students stated that they don't feel obligated to wear skirt to pants to a job interview while three felt obligated to wear pants. Yet, only one student would rather wear a skirt to an interview.

Dania Ahmed, a senior majoring in Psychology and English agreed, because "Society asks women to compete alongside men in all walks of life even when it comes to attire." She added that "Formality rather than judging masculinity/femininity comes first."

Although pants used to be considered more casual by the business world, today a pants suit is seen as the female equivalent to the man's traditional suit and tie. Plus, pants are easier to pair with other separates and more mileage can be gotten out of a pants suit than a skirt suit.

And whether its pants or a skirt, women are recommended to keep their accessories simple. Jewelry shouldn't be dangly since it can cause distraction. Makeup, nail polish and hair styling should also be kept conservative. This helps maintain the professional image that an interview requires.