A CHARITY shop in Barnsley has teamed up with television fashion expert Amber Butchart to help job seekers to look the part by offering interview outfits for £10.
RSPCA Barnsley’s charity shop on Market Street, Barnsley, has joined with Amber and national careers app Debut, and is now featuring the ‘Dress to Impress for £10’ initiative.
It is being showcased at charity shops across the UK and will help improve job prospects for millions of people by providing interview outfits for only £10 and educating job seekers on correct interview attire.
The shop features a dedicated section to Dress to Impress, and store volunteers will share advice and tips which have been provided by Amber, the BBC’s fashion expert.
Research undertaken by Debut showed 72 per cent of those aged 16-23 didn’t know where to start.
Amber told the Chronicle: “I wanted to get involved because social mobility is something I’m really passionate about. I’m the first generation of my family to go to university, and I think social mobility and being able to look your best to a job interview all these things can be barriers and I’m really passionate about trying to smash them down.
“Dressing for an interview can be an absolute minefield because of the different types of work which have different dress codes. It can be very confusing. I think there is a very important link between feeling like you’re looking your best and your confidence levels. New suits can be very expensive and it’s such a shame if something like that is a barrier.
“The great thing about an outfit for an interview is that it can be worn again. For under £10 someone can kit themselves out with an outfit that would see them through multiple interviews and then potentially act as one of their work outfits.
“I’m also a big believer in the second hand market, it’s good for the environment and it makes sense to buy something that’s not been manufactured from new again.”
Amber’s staple items for a job interview include smart trousers and knee length skirts, shirts and blouses, brogues and loafers, smart flats and heels, blazers, jackets and smart sweaters and cardigans.
Vanessa Brennan, branch manager of the RSPCA Barnsley charity shop, said: “This campaign should have a positive impact on all our shops whilst helping make a difference to our customers’ lives.
“We receive fantastic donations that’d make great interview attire, so the Dress to Impress sections will hopefully prove a real attraction for jobseekers, plus anyone who wears business attire and is looking for a bargain.”
The campaign is running in more than 650 charity shops which will each display a window sticker, and will run for as long as there is demand in-store.
