Job interview today; first in two years. Don't tell Mom, who thinks I've been going to interviews and applying for temp jobs for the past two months.

So, once again, the parents insist I get all dressed up for the interview. This is because they're old fashioned: Dad gets dressed up, not only for the courtroom, but for meeting clients, working alone in the office, and going to the movies. Mom's not as bad, but she believes that my wardrobe is responsible for me not getting the imaginary jobs I pretended to apply to. She thinks I should've worn a suit and tie and, uh, not worn shorts.

I disagree. My very first job interview, at the United States Small Business Administration, I got all dolled up on my parents' advice — slacks and dress shoes, a suit and tie, I might have even been carrying a leather attache. I hadn't worn a suit since my confirmation, and apparently, I'd grown a bit since then. And the tie... it serves no freaking purpose whatsoever other than choking me!!!! Damn, that's a lot of exclamation points. And because it was a good hundred degrees in downtown Manhattan, I came into this interview nervous, uncomfortable, and sticky — the perfect candidate. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I blamed the tie.

When the interviewer tells you that you look a bit uncomfortable, that's when it's pretty much time to walk out the door.

After that fun, fun day, I decided that from now on, I'm making the fashion decisions on interview days. (I make the fashion decisions on non-interview days, too.... Ever since I turned fourteen.) I got my job offers at Sparknotes and the New York Times (Digital) wearing jeans and a standard Jay Harris pullover t-shirt. I'm going with a white button-down shirt and khaki pants — my semi-formal couture — and I brought a pre-tied tie just in case inspiration strikes. It didn't.

Thing is, even with the light summer look, I was still every interviewer's dream: a sweaty mess. Maybe next interview, I'll take a mister with me too, and retouch my make-up right before the big moment. (Thanks to Sylvia for that last tip.)