These Interviewing Duds Are Set to Stun

The “outer” view presented during an interview matters.  It matters a lot.  That being the case, senior women at the University of Cincinnati can now turn a non-profit called Dress for Success into their own personal closet.

Dress for Success and UC’s Career Development Center recently began a partnership that allows graduating senior women to obtain a complete interviewing ensemble of brand-name apparel, put together with the help of a personal shopper, for free.

Graduate student Juliette Asuncion, 22, of Western Hills, who is preparing for medical school interviews and an internship at Mercy Health Partners in Blue Ash, was the first UC student to visit the Dress for Success boutique at 135 W. Fourth St.  “I felt like the guinea pig,” admitted Asuncion, “But it was awesome and unbelievable.  We went upstairs, and a personal shopper showed me my sizes, and we put a couple of suits together.  I got an Ellen Tracy designer suit jacket and skirt, a blouse, leather shoes and purse.  And because I’ll be interviewing in January, I also got a trench coat.  You can pick what you like and get some honest feedback about how you’re presenting yourself.”  As a graduate of Mother of Mercy High School who had always worn a school uniform before coming to UC, Asuncion said she truly appreciated the style advice.

Dress for Success was founded locally by Mary Ivers to help women move into the work force with appropriate attire.  The non-profit portion of the firm, which provides apparel at no cost, is supported by a first-floor, for-profit boutique at the same downtown location.  Said Ivers, “Since we first opened in 1999, we’ve probably helped about 3,000 women locally prepare for jobs and interviews with proper garments.  Our goal is that a woman can leave here, go right out the door and directly to an interview if need be.  Traditionally, our non-profit clientele had included women in shelters or transition programs and now college seniors.  It seems a natural to me to include college students because there are college students who can’t really afford business attire until they’ve worked full-time for a while.  It’s not necessary for every senior but definitely for some.”

To participate, UC senior women need to coordinate a referral to visit Dress for Success through Patti Carroll, CDC administrative support specialist, at 513-556-0313 or

carrolpc@ucmail.uc.edu

  Following in Asuncion’s footsteps, 43 other UC senior women were able to make appointments to visit Dress for Success in November.