So, you have submitted your CV and been successful in getting called for an interview. The big day is fast approaching … You’ve done your ground-work, researched the company, practised your questions & answers and now you only have to decide on what to wear!

Everyone wants to look their absolute best for the interview and can spend a good deal of time choosing the right outfit and shoes etc. However, something we often forget to factor in is the weather and the consequence can often be disastrous. Simple fact is, the Irish weather is notorious for pouring down at a moment’s notice and the winter months can present particularly adverse conditions including wind, rain, ice and even snow. Whether it is going in person to ask about a job or hand in a CV, the interview itself or following up, the weather plays an important part in your search for work.

So we have prepared a few tips to help you cope.

• Never assume that the interview has been cancelled. If the weather is particularly bad (snowfall or flooding) or if you are in any way uncertain then try to get confirmation. Most employers won’t mind a quick phone call to confirm your attendance under such circumstances.
• If you are going to the interview make sure to bring an umbrella so that you are not walking in the rain or snow and getting soaked through. This will be very distracting for both of you and the interviewer, which will prevent you from putting your best foot forward on the day.
• If you are wearing Wellies (Gumboots) to the interview to keep your feet dry, make sure to bring an extra pair of shoes with you to change in to.
• In bad weather it is also very important to allow extra travel time to allow for slower progress in the elements and also for the unexpected.
• Try to keep your hair dry but if the rain is torrential and you have long hair, put your hair up in a sleek ponytail. This way you still look groomed and avoid that undesirable drowned rat look.
• If the wind is quite strong an Umbrella may not be an option so consider a suitable rain jacket but take care it is not one where the water will run off onto your business trousers or skirt.
• While walking pay particular attention and watch for puddles on the road next to the path that cars might drive through – a large puddle can leave you soaked from head to foot.
• If you are carrying documentation or a copy of your resume take heed to put it in a water-proof document folder – nothing looks worse than a candidate thumbing through a bunch of soggy paper.
• I would also strongly recommend plotting a secondary route to you destination in case your planned route becomes blocked by flooding or snow.
• If the interview goes ahead, make allowances for the fact that bad weather disrupts everyone and employers are no exception – they may be preparing for even worse weather, dealing with inconvenienced customers or protecting the business from weather damage in general.

If you have any other tips you would like to share or have any bad-weather job-search stories? Tell us below by posting a comment!