Unsuited until today

Last week I had my first job interview.

Thanks to my good friend Linda (who's been working at Lehman Brothers for a very long time, knows all the right people and has incredible powers) I got an interview for an Admin Asst position on her floor. It happened pretty quick (example of her powers). Jan 12th - I sent Linda my resume. Jan 18th - I'm scheduled for an interview with the Admin Coordinator for Friday. Jan 20th - I have the interview and asked to come back for second interview. Jan 23rd-Tracie asked if I was available tomorrow for the second interview with people I would be supporting. Tomorrow - second interview.

Amazing. Quick.

Good news. This is what I want. I want to get a high paying (higher than what I'm getting now at least which is not that difficult) in a larger company (cause I'm sick of working for small business and wearing many hats) with great benefits (I currently pay for half of my health, have no dental or vision, nor 401K, etc). I'm tired of taking out trash in heels. (At Lehman only union janitors are allow to touch trash. Awesome.)

Bad news. I'm not as prepared as I should be. For a girl who's planning to go corporate, I am in dire situation regarding wardrobe. I do not have a suit. My sister Christina owns quite a bit of suits. Unfortunately we are and never will be the same size. Only in shoes which helps a little.

So Thursday afternoon, day before my first interview, I went hunting for a suit. Six hours and eight stores later (including Bloomingdale's and Macy's), I found myself digging in the back of my closet for something to wear. Then I remember that I do own one suit. I bought it in Korea in 1998, right before I left in January. I remember it being a very nice, sophisticated suit. It's a blue-grayish dress with matching jacket. So I found it and tried it on. It fit! It didn't look old or weird. No one would have suspected that it was over 6 years old. Thank god for classic cut and modest color. But there was one unfortunate thing. The dress ended 3-4 inches above my knees. I felt like Ali McBeal. Feeling a bit naked I thought I would wear my tall boots, my tall black leather boots. Well let's just say I got some seriously disturbing looks/stares walking to my subway station and crossing 53rd street to Lehman's. Yeah not my best judgment. Thankfully I only met with the Admin Coordinator, a woman. Then after the interview I stopped by Linda's desk. She said I look nice. Hopefully she wasn't lying for my sake.

Well I couldn't wear that outfit again. I would be meeting my prospective bosses. Four of the five are men.
So I needed to find a modest suit for interview #2.
No luck over the weekend. And I thought I had some time. Remember I didn't get the call for second interview until today.
So when Tracie called today and ask if I could come in tomorrow well I was really worried. I had only a few places left to check out: Century 21 and TJ Max. I voiced my concerns to Kathy via iChat. She mentioned Barami near Bloomingdale's. I've seen this store but didn't think to look in. Well luckily there was one near my work. I found one there and it was on sale! It's simple: dark gray/black with fine, dark red pin-stripes. It's a jacket/skirt combination. Of course it's a bit long in the sleeves and skirt. So I ran over to Koreatown to my alteration expert. She's great. She pinned me and promised to have it ready by 1pm tomorrow. Interview is at 5pm.

I'll post picture of the suit tomorrow.
Wish me luck.
Thanks Linda for getting me an interview.
Thanks Kathy for helping me find a suit.
Thanks sis for the shoes.