November 22, 2011

"The Most Insane Job-Interview Tips Ever"... from Duke's Women Law Students Association.

Jezebel says:
The tone of this handout really owes much to Glamour.
Consider getting fitted for a bra. Fitters at lingerie stores should not only check your proper band width but also how the shape of the cup fits.
If any law students fail to get jobs at firms, they can always fall back on these tips and become bra fitters.
Nordstrom also offers a decent selection of bras. We also like the Maidenform line available at Kohl's. WLSA is not supporting Victoria's Secret because they market to pre-teens. However, some of our members have also had poor bra fitting experiences there.
Victoria's Secret has made the tragic mistake of crossing the WLSA. They will pay for their crimes.

59 comments:

Unknown said...

Ill-fitting bras: the unacknowledged scourge of job-seekers everywhere.

George M. Spencer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lucien said...

Tip #2 must be what to say when the interviewer wants to check the fit of your bra.

AllenS said...

If I'm doing the interview, and you're hot, it's best not to wear a bra.

Scott M said...

What is Jezebel bitching about? You've come a long way, baby.

gerry said...

Ahhhhhh. Tits. Attorney tits.

purplepenquin said...

"The fact that they call us 'baby' tells us we haven't come that far at all"

and for a differing viewpoint -

"She calls me baby, she calls everybody baby. She says its a lonely ol' nite, but ain't they all"

That aside, wasn't Victoria Secrets the place that was marketing crotchless-panties to pre-teen girls? I ain't really a prude, but that is crossing the line...

Scott M said...

Single female lawyer
Fighting for her clients.
Wearing sexy mini skirts
And being self-reliant.

Hey, I'm pretty good.

Earth Girl said...

Those making fun of bra-fitting probably have never been fitted and experienced the difference it makes in appearance and in attitude. I wouldn't go to a department store though, as the skill of the fitter and the selection they have to choose from are limited. Where I live a specialty shop for breast prosthetics expanded to fitting and selling bras to all women. True professionals. BTW, my mother took me to a similar store for my first bra almost 50 years ago. The idea is not new. /rant

Robert said...

Newt sez take a bath, too.

Wince said...

"The tone of this handout really owes much to Glamour."

Must've missed that article.

I was busy "treating my body like it was an amusement park."

MadisonMan said...

I didn't get a job once, and I'm pretty sure it's because my bra wasn't fitted properly.

ndspinelli said...

I have a big interview coming up, where can I get fitted for a mansierre?

Scott M said...

I have a big interview coming up, where can I get fitted for a mansierre?

Go with the codpiece. Cup checks might be part of the hazing process.

Anonymous said...

As a man, do I have a case for sex discrimination if refused a job as a bra fitter??

bagoh20 said...

Is there a breast tent at OWS?

Even if the bra fits perfectly, you will not get that job until right after you take a bath.

R.L. Hunter said...

Primer? Are women putting on makeup or getting a paint job?

Shanna said...

WLSA is not supporting Victoria's Secret because they market to pre-teens.

Pre-teens need bras too, what exactly is the problem with a bra/panty/pj company marketing to them? None of that pink stuff is terribly racy.

Even the regular VS stuff isn't really racy. I crack up at the pictures with a girl in a big terry cloth robe with half of it hanging off just to try to make it seem sexy, when really it's just a big fluffy robe.

Unknown said...

trooper and his fair maiden Le Le might offer some tips on bra fitting.

I continue to curse my fate not following a career in bra fitting as the estimable trooper has done.


As titus would say: TITS

madAsHell said...

Glycolic acid for razor burns?

If you're a woman, and you are showing razor burns, then you've already NAILED the interview.

Mark O said...

As opposed to the women overpaying in Wisconsin, these Duke women have a chance to get a job.

BarryD said...

Wait... They won't patronize a bra store that markets to pre-teens?

I seem to remember some girls in the 5th and 6th grade starting to develop breasts. Was it wrong for a store to sell them underwear?

Titus said...

Before I got my new consulting job I interviewed with this hot new mobile application company.

They asked me what my twitter grade was. I was like I don't tweet. So I didn't want the job.

tits.

rhhardin said...

Wear a business sweater.

Bruce Hayden said...

I think that it goes to grooming. Little different from checking out whether a guy has shined shoes, and, indeed, whether his shoes are appropriate in the first place.

The problem for women is that the grooming bar is set a lot higher for them than for men, in a lot of fields. Partially, that is because women, in general, spend much more of their lives grooming themselves. And, so, we have all become accustomed to a higher level of such for them.

Also, note that it isn't that interviewers might be looking for a well fitted bra, but rather, a poorly fitted one may stick out and be obvious - esp. to other women. Failing to pluck eyebrows, bad makeup, bad outfit, etc., would also stick out for women. It is the gestalt, the overall impression, that counts.

The problem here for women is that the list for guys is much shorter:
- haircut
- facial hair neat and tidy
- tie
- suit
- shirt
- socks (black works best)
- shoes.

Now, of course, this all depends on the job. While I wouldn't suggest this expense for an aspiring waitress, I might for an aspiring big-firm attorney.

Scott M said...

Also, note that it isn't that interviewers might be looking for a well fitted bra, but rather, a poorly fitted one may stick out and be obvious

That reminded me of one of my favorite commercials in which a guy is going into a job interview with a big mustard stain on his shirt that the interviewer sees as literally screaming at him the whole time, drowning out anything the hopeful hiree says.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Despite the comment about razor burn directed at the women(WTF? are they shaving their old lady mustaches right out of college. They were told not to wear low cut blouses. Where else are they going to get razor burn that shows in a job interview??)...........the grooming tips are pretty good for a woman looking for a job in a law firm, stock brokerage firm or any other occupation where you need to be sedate, calm, well groomed and not come off like a floozy.

If you are bouncing you boobs, have sagging or lopsided breast....well....people are already looking there (as Trooper says "Stop staring at my tits!") you don't want additional attention. A properly fitted bra is essential not only to decorum but also to fitting into your clothing.

Less make up is best, good non flashy shoes a huge essential.

I don't know if they also mentioned it, but keep the flashy jewelery for evening and wear tasteful but expensive looking simple items for the office.

:-D Thus sayeth the retired stock broker/financial advisor who mostly NOW lives in jeans, slacks, tee shirts, sweaters and rockport walking shoes. Yay!!

edutcher said...

Ditto, Earth Girl.

The Blonde, superlatively endowed, will tell you Victoria's is giving good advice. Most women with moderate assets can't appreciate how important it is.

Unknown said...

trooper and his fair maiden Le Le might offer some tips on bra fitting.

Had the same thought. Maybe this is Ann's way of wooing him back, offering to let him fit her.

She may not be his Lucy Dabney, but she very probably is his Debbie Edwards.

Pastafarian said...

Well, before you slam these tips as sexist and objectifying, bear in mind:

Appearance has always been important in job interviews, for both genders. And many young women today think that the proper fit for a bra is "the smallest that I can possibly squeeze my tits into without them popping out and hitting me in the chin." It's part of the porn-star chic look that's dominated fashion for a number of years.

So a proper-fitting bra, in many instances, would cause the young woman to be less of an object of leering than her normal ill-fitting choice.

I've seen this in interviews: Otherwise perfectly normal women with the mistaken impression that "business casual" is the same as "tarted up."

Known Unknown said...

And many young women today think that the proper fit for a bra is "the smallest that I can possibly squeeze my tits into without them popping out and hitting me in the chin."

They're correct, you know.

Unknown said...

I have a big interview coming up, where can I get fitted for a mansierre?

It's a BRO!

Shanna said...

the grooming tips are pretty good for a woman looking for a job in a law firm, stock brokerage firm or any other occupation where you need to be sedate, calm, well groomed and not come off like a floozy.

Yes. Those tips are not bad for an interview in most fields (even if your job itself is more casual).

I think Jezebel took it in some respects as a mean girl thing, but they are advising primarily younger women on what is appropriate. Some of those people may not come in knowing all of this. You are free to ignore any advice you don't like.

Unknown said...

Upside-- if they failed the job interviews, they are well prepared to become escorts for other lawyers.

JimM47 said...

Mass production of clothes is an amazing achievement of modern society because it makes them cheaper, but it comes at the expense of the fit everyone used to get from tailoring.

No reasonable person would laugh at or scorn someone telling male students to get a suit custom-tailored in order to look their best for interviews.

Chip S. said...

We'll know that lawyer jobs are really hard to come by when the DWLSA starts recommending not wearing panties to these interviews.

traditionalguy said...

Are these totally equal persons shining up the old bod for a casting couch interview. That is sexist.

The next thing we may see is the list of the 10 best best loved sex secrets of male employers will be cribbed from Cosmo.

Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) said...

For a long time you stuffed your big maw,
With pastries and paté foie-gras.
But employment's now hard
When covered with lard,
So you'll fix it with just the right bra.

Carnifex said...

My S.O. is to say the least, extremely well endowed.(she feels sorry for the poor flat chested girls at Hooters) A well fitted bra for her is a necessity, and very hard to find. Sometimes we'll go to stripper boutiques to find 'em. Needs must.

Dressing properly for a job interview would seem to be easy, but truly people will want to wear what makes them comfortable. If you're going into construction, casual is okay. Office work better be neat, clean, pressed, de-cat-haired, etc. subdued make-up, you're not emo on the job. No peasant anything! As Newt would say "bathe". You'd be surprised. Hair coiffed but not neon pink.

A person can say a lot about how they look at the world from their appearance. Don't say to your to-be boss, "Hey! I know YOU want to project an image for your company, but I don't care. I am going to do what I want."

Cross-My-Heart

DADvocate said...

Marketing to pre-teens is evil?? WTF??

My daughter started wearing a bra before she became a true "teen." Should I have insisted she go braless rather than allow her to purchase anything from Victoria's. I don't keep detailed records on this sort of thing, but I do know she's bought under garments, swim suits, yoga pants and liquid scents from Victoria's over the past few years. I'm a failure as a parent.

Nordstrom is evil because everything cost too damn much.

wv - pubrater (I don't even want to know. Hopefully it's someone who rates beer joint.)

Ann Althouse said...

Carnifex said... "My S.O. is to say the least, extremely well endowed.(she feels sorry for the poor flat chested girls at Hooters) A well fitted bra for her is a necessity, and very hard to find. Sometimes we'll go to stripper boutiques to find 'em. Needs must... ... Cross-My-Heart"

"You're suddenly shapelier!"

edutcher said...

You think it's funny, but The Blonde has a similar problem as Carnifex' S O, and has to go to similar lengths to find something that fits well.

DADvocate said...

"You're suddenly shapelier!"

That was back in the days when you couldn't actually show a woman wearing a bra in a TV commercial.

During the 1950’s and early 60’s TV ads had to show what a bra could do without actually showing a live woman wearing one! Bras and girdles were regarded as way too inappropriate to advertise on TV and all that could be shown was a female spokeswoman holding samples of a bra while describing its virtues.

I remember one commercial where Jane Russell wore the bra over her clothes.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

You think it's funny, but The Blonde has a similar problem as Carnifex' S O, and has to go to similar lengths to find something that fits well.

It sure isn't funny. I have a similar issue and it is a real P.I.T.A. AND the right fitting bra is expensive!

In addition, clothing that is 'off the rack' just doesn't fit unless it is altered or you make your own.

The job interview tips column was spot on in their advice.

Freeman Hunt said...

The advice is actually good.

Freeman Hunt said...

This kind of advice is especially important to a generation raised on fashion magazines that do spreads of business fashion with the models made up as though for dates. It's important that someone tell young women that the magazines are not accurate; you want to tone it down for the office. Nothing "mean girl" about it.

LordSomber said...

I'll withhold opinion until I am abreast of the situation.

Carnifex said...

@DustBunyQueen

expensive as hell. I'm not allowed to do some "things" with her because of the costs of replacing the bra! More the pity for me:-)

YoungHegelian said...

In the 80's, when I worked down at the Executive Office in DC, we had a very talented co-worker who just loved to dress it up, often in not-quite-appropriate for office ways.

One day, she came to work wearing fishnet stockings, and related to us in surprise that the woman sitting next to her on the Metro had turned to her and said:

"You look like a whore!"

We, of course, said nothing, because no male wanted to take part in creating a "hostile work environment".

Dust Bunny Queen said...

We, of course, said nothing, because no male wanted to take part in creating a "hostile work environment".

Too bad you didn't have a woman (ME for instance) in the workplace. I would have without any hesitation told her she looked like a tramp and if she wanted to advance in the organization she should dress the part. If the part you are auditioning for is whore....you've nailed it!

Take photos too...btw. It will help your case.

kimsch said...

Dad,

I remember those commercials too. Bras over turtleneck sweaters yet. Don't get anywhere near a cleavage in a bra commercial.

Synova said...

Recall the article/thing that had people rate the *competency* of an attractive woman wearing different amounts of make up.

The advice doesn't seem inappropriate at all.

Also, graduating from years of school doesn't mean a person has a clue how to dress professionally. Professional clothes are pricey besides. So "buy a *good* bra that actually *fits* you" and "don't wear ruffles, bows or a low cut blouse" and "do not, under any circumstances, wear your strappy F-me sling-backs nor any shoe that has a descriptor of "peek-a-boo."

Not bad advice at all.

Eric said...

Single female lawyer
Fighting for her clients.
Wearing sexy mini skirts
And being self-reliant.


Ally McBeal was sooooo 1990s.

Synova said...

The comments there are funny, BTW. No one is talking about the article, it's all "Brown mascara is best." "Sure, but where do you find brown mascara?" "Mascara should be black. Black, black, black." "Oh, *this* brand is good, and comes in lots of colors. I'm sure they have brown." "Brown? I can't find black!" "You can't find black mascara? Where do you shop, woman?"

Anonymous said...

Who remembers "Lifts! And separates!" ??

Anonymous said...

I thought the comments section on that page would be full of angry feminist invective about lookist patriarchy objectification blah blah zzzzzz.

Not at all! From the very first line the girls are off to the races with some of the most inane makeup chatter I've ever read.

Milwaukee said...

Chip S. said...

We'll know that lawyer jobs are really hard to come by when the DWLSA starts recommending not wearing panties to these interviews.


Do crotchless panties rate better or worse than no panties?

Do interviewing partners have "casting couches" in the interview room? These women spent how much on their law degrees? Does being a good lawyer have any thing to do with a successful job interview?

Where do edible panties rate on the panty scale? Silk, nylon or cotton? Or, for the really hep, hemp panties!

Anybody remember the scene from Old School where they are in the therapist's office, a nest of trust, and he discusses the waitresses panties. Seems that didn't end very well.

Milwaukee said...

Skookum John said...

Who remembers "Lifts! And separates!" ??


I do. Not only that, but there was a credit card theft protection add which used that expression.

I remember when they first started producing manikins with nipples.

Gary Rosen said...

"I remember when they first started producing manikins with nipples."

Whoever invented the sheer bra that shows the outline of the nipple should have gotten a Nobel Prize.

Shanna said...

From the very first line the girls are off to the races with some of the most inane makeup chatter I've ever read.

I thought that was so funny. Mascara is important, damn it! Hee. (I did learn that mascara comes in some sort of auburn, though. Now I'm going to have to look).