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For most college students looking to go into a financial service career, this is the busiest time of the year–with final round interviews ending for Sophomore summer positions and applications beginning to open for Junior summer. The timeline can often be fast-paced and confusing, as often much of the work is done during the Sophomore year of college to build a resume, network, gain experience, and demonstrate clear technical knowledge in the field, whether it is Sales and Trading, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, Wealth Management, or Accounting. Due to all of the fast-paced moving parts of this process, students have no time to consider what they’ll wear through each part of this process, yet an outfit can oftentimes make or break a first impression. Having been in the middle of this process myself, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite types of outfits and brands for how to dress for a quick coffee chat, HireVue virtual video essay, or the infamous superday final round interview.
The Sphere of Coffee Chats
Coffee chats are useful for anywhere from creating connections to gaining insight on a field to receiving help throughout the interview process, often with someone involved in the company or field. These chats are often the most casual setting of the finance sector, yet looking organized and well prepared can help one create an impression that may help them go beyond an initial resume read in the interview application process or connect with more people within a company or field. These chats are a great way to help one get more invested within a company they are looking to apply to or gain help in their interview and application process.
Due to the business casual setting of coffee chats, I often love to put together slacks, a sweater, a cute pair of heels, and an up-do for a completed look. Often for any business events, I opt for kitten heels or other short heel close-toes shoes. Some of my favorite heels can be found in The Kitten Heel Breakdown. As for sweaters, great options can be found everywhere from Tommy Hilfiger to Quince. Typically, these chats are a great way to learn more about a field or process which one finds interesting and help create a network for oneself within that realm. These outfits are meant to demonstrate a sense of dedication to the field and connection, as well as generate self-assurance.
What Should I Know for a “Hirevue”
A “HireVue” is a video interview format that is structured to keep candidates on their toes while providing real time answers to behavioral interview questions. Often this format offers interviewers a certain amount of time to be shown a question and record a video response. These interviews often ask typical questions such as, “Tell us a little about yourself,” or “What about this company interests you?” Frequently in these interviews, job recruiters are looking for an amicable personality, confidence, and quick thinking from candidates. While one’s nerves can already be on high alert during this initial stage of the interview process, it is still highly important to consider what to wear, as HireVue interviews are performed with the camera on. For these types of interviews, one wants to come off as professional and ready to join a workplace setting, therefore choices such as a suit or a professional blouse are the perfect option. Oftentimes what one will wear for a HireVue can vary from company to company, as the culture is different within each workplace.
Some of my favorite options, which I have collected throughout the interview and early insight program process are a good pair of slacks which I love at both Ann Taylor Work and Banana Republic. For less business professional looks or day-to-day office staples, I love collecting different styles of blouses that I can dress up or down. I’ve built up a collection of silk blouses from Banana Republic in a range of neutral colors and found some more fun options from Bloomingdale’s. And for the more professional looks, I love button-ups and shells from Tuckernuck, ranging in all types of colors, styles, and materials. With these wardrobe staples, a simple necklace, and well-groomed hair, one is prepared to feel their best going into a virtual interview style and nail their behavioral questions.
All About the Superday
Often, the Superday interview is the final round of hiring, consisting of back-to-back interviews with employees throughout a business, asking both behavioral and technical skill assessment questions. This interview style is to be treated as a marathon and will be exhaustive. For this reason, one should best prepare themselves to look and feel their best, so that the rest of their focus can be on building connections, demonstrating clear knowledge of the field, and proving why they are the right fit for their desired company. For this style of interview, a suit is almost always the best option, with preferred colors being in navy, gray, or black. Personally, my go-to suit came from Brooks Brothers, yet stores such as Aritzia and White House Black Market have a wide array of options that can leave everyone looking their best.
For this process, there are numerous factors that come into play for how a person will perform and what position will be the best fit. While this process can look different for everyone, how one feels will often play a huge role in the results of their effort. Therefore, dressing right is important, not only to make a lasting impression, but to also allow students to feel their best going into the process.