The 5 Types of Interview Outfits That Will Get You Hired

The 5 Types of Interview Outfits That Will Get You HiredNo matter what stage you are in your career, you need to dress to impress whenever youre granted an interview. That might mean something different depending on your career status and the field youre interviewing in, but the overarching point you should keep in mind when you select your attire is this look like you care. Look like you put some thought into how you present yourself, because after all, if you dont care enough to look nice and together when youre on your best behavior, then why should a company think you will care enough to do your best on any random Tuesday after a few months into the job? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Here are some tips for how to make sure youre making the right first impression on the hiring manager. Show them through what youre wearing how perfect you would be for the job, no matter what that job is.1. Super-CasualIn the past, the basic rule was that if you had a job interview, you better either buy a suit or make sure yours was dry-cleaned and ready to go. But times have changed, and its really okay to match your attire to the personality of the company.For example, you dont want to show up to a casual workplace in a suit and tieyoull look like you dont really understand the culture, and they wont be able to picture you adequately within their company. Try instead to focus on making sure you look clean and professional, despite the more laid-back style. Dark, clean, and crisp denim always works, with tasteful (again, clean) sneakers or sandals or flats, and a tidy, well-fitting top. Dont bust out a concert t-shirt or anything, but a wrinkle-free polo works.2. Sort-of-CasualYoure mucksmuschenstill not going to need a suit and tie, but you might have to trade your nice top in for one with buttons. Avoid jeans and go with a casual dress (one with sleeves, please), a skirt, corduroys, or other slacks instead. Keep your shoes r elaxed, but elegantnothing you would wear to the gym, say. Maybe add a bit of a heel.3. Executive CasualYou still dont absolutely need a tie in this situation (but certainly no one would think it out of place), but a jacket or blazer is often called for. Definitely no jeans. Keep the skirts or slacks on the dressier side, and go with the more elegant shoespumps for the ladies something leather for the men. Add a pop of color or pattern in your shirt that will jazzmusik up the monotony of your suit separates.4. Serious BusinessOkay. Here come the suits. Gents, here come the ties. You can wear your more colorful suits, darker ones, or subtle patterns bright colors are fine here. Just because you need to look professional doesnt mean you cant have a personality. Keep the tops crisp and well-tailored, the heels closed-toe, and legs covered with hosiery or tights.5. Boardroom Big ShotIn the highest stakes situations, its best to go for the gold. Grey or navy suits for the men, with ties and white dress shirts. The highest quality accessories are needed hereas neat and unobtrusive as possible. Ladies, keep your skirt lengths two-fingers above the knee or longer and stick with black tights and shoes.Remember to make sure youre comfortable. And dont make it look like youre dressing up from Mommy and Daddys closet. Keep it simple, not too flashy, and youll do just fine. And, as always, dress for the job you want, not the one you have.

5 Things You Should Know About FMLA Before You Need To Use It

5 Things You Should Know About FMLA Before You Need To Use It The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 is a federal law that states that any covered employer must give their employees 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave for their qualified medical and family reasons once per year.This means that if you or your spouse, child, or parent comes down with a serious health condition, or if you need to care for a newborn baby, you will want to apply for FMLA ASAP. In doing so, your priority can become your family or yourself and workwillwait for you to come back.Heres what you need to know about FMLAbeforeits time to use itFind out if your company is considered coveredWhat does the stimmt covered mean in context of FMLA? If you work for a private company its considered covered if there are 50 or mora employees within 75 miles of the office you work in. If you work for the local, state, or federal government or a public and private school, youre covered regardless of how many emplo yees there are.If your company is not considered covered, you may be eligible under your states family and medical leave policyif it has one. Luckily,family-friendly workplace policies like paid leaveare becoming increasingly popular. If your state or county offers paid leave, you could use this for an FMLA-covered reason, and the leave is FMLA-protected.Determine whether you are eligibleYou are eligible for FMLA if youve been with your company for 12 months prior to your request. Those 12 months do not need to be consecutive, but you have to have worked them within seven years. On top of this requirement you need to have worked 1,250 hours within those 12 months.You wont get paid leave with FMLA, but check your optionsUnlike nearly every other developed nation in the world, the U.S. does not guarantee paid parental leave. That being said, your company may have leave policies that offer some pay or short-term disability you could take. After that, you may be able to use your paid ti me off (or you may need to use your PTO before you use FMLA-leave), but then the rest of the leave would be unpaid.Thankfully, more and more companies have been improving their paid maternity leave policies, so see whether your company offers anything. How to use FMLAGenerally, you must give your employer at least 30-days notice before taking FMLA if you know youll be needing it (for instance, if you have a surgery scheduled). Of course, emergencies do happen -- so if your leave is unforeseeable, tell your employer as soon as you know youll need time off from work.You do not need to take the 12 weeks consecutively, but if you dont, keep detailed notes of how you use your time off and youll need to be clear with your employer about when youre taking off and returning. The more transparent you are the better.If youre taking FMLA to care for a newborn or an adopted child, your leave must be taken within one year of their birth or arrival, and it must be taken in one continuous block of time.If you work with your spouse, you must share your leaveIf you and your spouse work for the same company, you both cant take 12 weeks each. You either take all the 12 weeks yourself and your spouse will take none, or you divide the 12 weeks between the two of you.Now that youre informed, dont stop here. Schedule a meeting with your HR manager to learn about your companys leave policy. Get informed and feel empowered knowing how youll be covered when youll need it most.--Liz McGrory is a certified professional coach supporting working moms make audacious choices about their work-life balance. Shes a speaker, author, the Working Mom Expert on About.com and a working mom coach at The Maven Clinic.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer