I attended two pre interviews that both went well, my own impression and the recruiter. Having looked at previous reviews there were a number of negative comments regarding the CEO, indicating a high turnover of PA’s in the past year. However this had not put me off as I had researched her background, she seemed to be an advocate for working mothers and I was inspired by her drive. After my second pre interview I bumped in to Paula and was introduced, she seemed pleasant enough. The following day I was called and asked if I would come back to meet her for a third interview, I agreed and thought nothing of it. That same evening I was called again to say that Paula did not want to interview me due to my attire. I was wearing a smart grey dress, black tights and black shoes. I had a plain black cardigan over my dress as it had capped sleeves and I was actually quite ill. I was told this was not corporate enough. The lady that interviewed me was literally wearing a dress and tights with no cardigan, so I’m not entirely sure what the difference was. I’ve worked in administration for 15 years, my very first job at 19 being with a HNWI, I have been a PA for solicitors and an in house Barrister and would have been expected to be judged on my CV and not the fact I was wearing a black cardigan. I’d explained during my interview that I had lost 8 stone and a lot of my suits no longer fit as they are too big. As I currently work in the Charity sector I have no need to invest in suits on the basis I MAY have got the job!
