Dressing For Interviews

MLogan, VERY good question, I would like to know that answer also. I will be looking for waitress work at first, til I get settled on the island, but when I do finally go for "Professional" interviews, this information would be helpful.
Thanks

Linda

Well, that's the right way. Maybe you could do without the stockings! I am no clothing expert, at least on what women wear other tha tiking what I see. I also see what some wear when they interview for service jobs and if it we me, they would lose points for appearance! Wear what you would back home. Pepole here wear heels, stockings and suits all year long. Actually the more you are covered, the cooler you are. Look at the guys working on the roadside in long pants and long sleeved shirts!
Ronnie

Thanks Ronnie, I am going to pack my kakis (dress slacks) and other casual business attire for that time. Now I know its not a loss to pack it.

Just don't schlep into a restaurant wearing flip flops, cut offs and a t-shirt to ask for a job, and don't do it during their busy hours, like when they are serving! Go and get a food handlers certificate first, gives you the upper hand finding a food service job!
Ronnie

Ronnie, I wouldn't go in wearing flip flops or anything like that, I will still dress appropriately, well manicured and dress for "success" (thats the line hear in the states...LOL). I know I need the food handlers certificate, but it did slip my mind until you reminded me about it, thanks. Where do I go to get that and how long does it take, I would like to have it in hand as you suggested "before" going to the restaurants/hotels, oh yeah and the fee for this too if you don't mind.

Linda

I know you won't!
To get the card, you need to take a stool sample in. My suggestion would be to stop by the Cranston/Dottin Lab in the Medical Arts Complex, which is on the road behind the big Banco Popular Building on the main road from the airport. You can get a 'sample' container there, take it back early in the morning $10, and they will have your results before noon. You then go to the clinic in the hospital between 1 and 2:45 to get the card $30. You can do both at the clinic, but it will cost $7 extra for the test and 2 days wait!
Ronnie

Wear "casual" dress for success clothes. Kakhis and camp shirts with low heels are fine for most positions. For the bank and legal jobs, stick to skirts (knee length) and long sleeve blouses with hose and pumps. The best bet is to scout out what the people doing the job are wearing to the job and then kick it up one step for the interview. Just as you would in the states, make sure your grooming is top knotch. The only real problem I had getting a job here upon arrival is convincing the potential employers I was planning on staying. Have a good reason explaining why you are here and why you want to make the islands your home. If you have family here, all the better.
Best of luck.
Pamela.

What type of clothing would I wear in jewelry sales (retail)? Is it business casual or do they wear uniforms?

Men are normally in suits - or at least suit shirts, trousers and ties. The jackets vary from store to store. Women in suits or nice dresses/skirts/blouses. You don't seem any women in pants suits here.

You have it right. My first trip to St Croix many years ago I was surprised to see the government and bank employees wearing suits,coats, and professional clothes. that has change a little over the years, but they are still the best dressed people on the island. The retail sales people tend to dress a bit more casual. While the the rest of us slop around in our shorts and tees and sandals, they go to work with heels, coats and "pantyhose". Dress accordingly.

There has been a pattern set these past few years in St. Thomas by the bigger jewelry stores to start wearing white shirts and ties and now even jackets on men! The women have always dressed nicely.
Ronnie

Pamela, Hose, "pumps", long skirts and blouses, all seems okay except the "pumps", I am not aloud to wear them now, so I'm gonna have to shop for a dressy "flat", Having some surgery on my foot that won't allow me to wear a heal, I loved wearing them, but my feet won't allow it.
Thanks for the information, I will check out some clothing when I get there, My attire here was old and not up to date, need to shop ya know....
Also about the convincing that you will stay, I know thats gonna be a problem, so thats why I figured for the first couple months (about 6) I would do something not so "professional dress" and waitress or bartend, then after I've been there, go for the "professional dress" jobs, (with the benefits I hope).
Thanks again.

Linda

I only said pumps because people laugh when I tell them I haven't had anything but flats on since the day I got off the plane ten years ago! Closed toe sandals are actually fine and as far as "out of date" - don't go crazy, you may find you are right in style here. Island time applies to a lot of things!

Hello,
I work selling jewlery and wear dress slacks or skirts. In the states we refered to it as business casual.
I find it too warm to wear jackets now but did in Dec .and Jan.
Some of the women in my store dress in suits, I tend to dress a little less formal and have dove very well in sales. The store is a higher end jewelry and watches .
Make sure your shoes are comfortable because you are standing on tile floors for several hours. I choose not to wear heels of any kind, all flats and thick soled sandals. Shoes are hard to find on the island unless you perfer the dress thongs or sandals. Hope this helps.
Good luck!
Deb

Thanks Deb, Maybe I will shop for some "flats" before I come down since shoes are hard to find.
I appreciate all the help everyone.

Linda

Hi Eight Months and Still Learning,

Are the typical retail jewelry selling shifts 8 hours of standing on your feet behind the counter? Thanks for the information you have so far provided.

Shawn