As a rising senior in college, I figured it was a good time to finally make a LinkedIn account for myself. Since I was 16, I haven’t had interviews or needed to send in a resume for my job experiences. My first job was as a lifeguard at my local YMCA. I was approached by the aquatic director at the to work there because she had known me since I was a kid when her brother was my swim coach. I’ve also worked as an assistant coach at my summer pool, where I also already knew my employers, as a lifeguard at my college, where the interview was a lifeguard test consisting of swimming and rescues, and as a William and Mary Challenge Course facilitator, which I automatically became after signing up for and completing the training course. So, needless to say, I haven’t had much experience with the conventional way of getting a job through applications and interviews. I also haven’t had to wear typical work outfits, since my past job experience has been either at a pool or on an outdoor ropes course.
Since I’m going into my last year of college, I decided to apply to a few jobs and internships to get experience outside of coaching and lifeguarding before graduating and entering the real world. So far, I’ve had a couple interviews, though they have been over Zoom, and unfortunately the lockdown has affected the positions. One was canceled for the summer, as it takes place on William Mary’s campus, which is closed for the foreseeable future, and the others will almost certainly be done remotely. So, I may go even longer without working a job that requires business attire. That being said, I figured that now was as good a time as any to put together a casual work outfit from pieces that I already own and to start looking for good work wear to invest in for the future. If I can’t use the work attire for a job this summer, I can at least use it to take a picture for my LinkedIn profile picture, right?
LinkedIn is basically a professional Facebook. It’s a platform where employers can search for potential employees, and where people can connect with others, which can help increase their chances of finding job opportunities. I’ve added most of the information from my resume onto my profile, including job experiences, education, volunteer work, and skills. Then, I took some pictures in the single blazer that I have at the house, so I could have a picture to use for my profile.
I put together this casual work outfit from clothes that I already owned, two of which are second-hand. I’m wearing a pair of high-waisted jeans from H&M that are a go-to for me. Then on top I’m wearing a second-hand striped Madewell shirt that I purchased from the consignment store, Buffalo Exchange, in Carytown here in Richmond, and a second-hand Marks and Spencer blazer that I purchased from a charity shop in Chippenham, England. I was brought up shopping at thrift stores with my thrifting mom, so, though I do like buying new things, I also enjoy shopping second-hand, as it’s easier on my wallet and more sustainable. Since it’s hard to duplicate second-hand finds exactly, I’ve put together some options of blazers, camis or tanks, and pants from some of my favorite stores that I certainly wouldn’t mind adding to my wardrobe.
Blazers
Camis/Tanks
Pants
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