I’ve been interviewing candidates to fill these pivotal and senior roles. What to wear to an interview is one of the questions I get asked most frequently, so I thought I’d give you a quick guide to making the most of that short time you have to sell yourself for the job you want:

  • Keep the outfit simple but add a styling twist that shows you’ve given it some thought. This makes you individual. You can do it with jewellery or other accessories. I love it when I interview someone with a bag I haven’t seen before or great shoes, for example. But don’t wear anything you are uncomfortable in.

  • There’s a lot to be said for great hair. And subtle but smart make-up. An interview is not the time to try a new lippy or show your love of a Lady Gaga fake eyelash.

  • Research your subject and prospective employer well. I have had people tell me they haven’t read the latest issue of ELLE, believe it or not.

  • Be specific in all your answers and arrive with an ideas list for the role. Every answer you give should be quantifiable with data and facts to back it up. Of course you love ELLE if you’re here for a job, there’s no point telling me that. Tell me why specifically: refer to features that you like and name projects or shoots we have done that have inspired you. Don’t be vague, have an opinion. Do this with your prospective employer and be familiar with their competitors, too.

  • Don’t write a character description on your CV. It’s just you saying what you’re like and that is not scientific – your traits cannot be proven. This really irritates me because it’s meaningless. You may say you have great leaderships skills but others may disagree. And I don’t care what your hobbies are either.

  • If I ask you what your star sign is you know it’s time to go and we won’t be meeting again!

Anyway this may be useful, it may not!

I’m doing three interviews today and then I am off to meet the press team who have flown in from Milan. So what am I wearing? Dolce of course, it would be rude not to. I’ve tamed this spotty top and skirt with my Rick Owens leather jacket because it’s absolutely freezing outside.

(Books from top to bottom: From Where I Stand by Mary McCartney, British Fashion Designers by Hywel Davies and Nick Knight, Grace Kelly by Tommy Hilfiger and Pierre-Henri Verlhac, Rankin Works by Liz Farrelly and Milan by Dolce & Gabbana)

Just some of my favourite reference books that can be found in my office.

TODAY THE EDITOR:

Is Watching Dollar Shave Club on YouTube for a laugh

Is Reading by Carrie Otis

Is Packing for a bank-holiday trip to the French countryside