changing to "walking shoes" at interview?

[Kiara08]

So a few interview invites so far have suggested that one brings an extra pair of shoes to walk around in during the tour. this definitely sounds better than walking around in my high heels, but i'm confused. where can i keep my comfy shoes during the interviews and where can i keep my heels during the tour? i would think i could slip some flats into a purse, but heels wouldn't fit so well. i don't really wanna carry a huge purse or bag, so i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. would i be able to keep them in my car and quick run to the car to change my shoes both before and after the tour? thanks for your input

ps. sorry if this is a repeated topic, i searched but came up w/nothing

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[inaminute]

you tie them together with a cute length of ribbon and dangle them from your hand

or tuck them in your pockets---you WILL have pockets, won't you?

 

[diosa428]

Do they really say to bring another pair of shoes? A lot of schools tell you to wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in, but I've never heard of any that actually tell you to bring another pair. Anyway, here are my suggestions: you can probably leave the shoes in the admissions office, because at a lot of schools you will return to admissions after everything. OR you can buy a bigger bag (I had one that could fit a portfolio) which is great b/c you can fit all sorts of stuff in there - spare nylons, a hairbrush, paper, pen, makeup, deoderant, whatever. Or just buy a pair of shoes that you can comfortably walk around in. I found that my interview shoes mostly gave me blisters on the back of my feet, and a little moleskin or some gel shoe inserts from Dr Scholls (made specifically for the back of the shoe) do wonders.

 

[TeaKae]

Bring your biggest handbag. Looks like your interviews are all in Texas, anyway, don't they like big things there?😀 I intend to wear heels to my interview(s?), change into my running shoes for campus tours, and stash the heels in my bag.

 

[sanchopanza]

If you're worried about this, I'm afraid you'd best bring your "walking shoes"...

 

[nick_carraway]

I think this is where guys have the advantage. Comfortable dress shoes? Ecco, baby.

 

[Macbeth]

I did the interview thing this past year and I didn't see anyone change into different shoes for tours, ever. I don't really think there's a way to do this gracefully. Try to find shoes that are appropriate for both interviewing and walking.

 

[E lutris]

My Texas interviews are coming up soon as well. I have a large, black leather, professional looking tote that i'm planning to use for my 1) cute black flats for the tour 2) portfolio w/ pad of paper, pen, resumes, etc 3) my necesities bag...travel size deoderant, makeup, bobby pins, clear nail polish for stocking runs, breath mints 4) normal purse things: phone, wallet, ID, keys.

 

[Jolie South]

I did the interview thing this past year and I didn't see anyone change into different shoes for tours, ever. I don't really think there's a way to do this gracefully. Try to find shoes that are appropriate for both interviewing and walking.

yea, i'm with you. that sounds like a whole lot of trouble. that's why i just bought some kitten heels that i know won't kill my feet after 5 min of walking.

 

[87138]

yea, i'm with you. that sounds like a whole lot of trouble. that's why i just bought some kitten heels that i know won't kill my feet after 5 min of walking.

You're gonna have a LOT of walking to do, Jolie . . .

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

I saw some people do this at a couple of my interviews. They usually had a room where you could store overcoats or something, people put shoes in there to switch into afterword. If you're one of those women who were mega heels, probably worth it. But for us dudes, unless your dress shoes are very uncomfrotable or you're afraid of scuffing them up, probably not necessary.

 

[mave]

Don't wear shoes you aren't comfortable walking in. Seriously. There's not going to be a nonawkward spot in the interview day to change shoes, even at lunch. Plus, then your outfit might not match and then you'd just look silly.

You can buy a decent pair of closed-toed shoes with a solid 2" heel. No kitten or stiletto heels - you'll be fine.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah I wouldn't plan on that - I never saw anyone do it. And when the interview is relative to the tour varies so I think it would be hard to know if you'll have time or not at each school.

Just wear comfortable heels that look dressy. Practice wearing heels more so you get used to it. Really thats all wearing heels is about. If you wear them enough and are used to it - you can pretty much walk anywhere in them. If its too late to practice then just wear lower heels that are comfortable - its dressy enough and you'll look fine.

I rarely wear flats so for me it was easy to wear 2.5" stillettos on tours. But if you never wear anything above a tennis shoe then find some 1" or even 1/2" kitten heels and wear those.

 

[Picklesali]

Yeah I wouldn't plan on that - I never saw anyone do it. And when the interview is relative to the tour varies so I think it would be hard to know if you'll have time or not at each school.

Just wear comfortable heels that look dressy. Practice wearing heels more so you get used to it. Really thats all wearing heels is about. If you wear them enough and are used to it - you can pretty much walk anywhere in them. If its too late to practice then just wear lower heels that are comfortable - its dressy enough and you'll look fine.

I rarely wear flats so for me it was easy to wear 2.5" stillettos on tours. But if you never wear anything above a tennis shoe then find some 1" or even 1/2" kitten heels and wear those.

Gah! What's so wrong about wearing flats. I think it'll look more professional ... if I don't fall down!

 

[alwaysaangel]

Gah! What's so wrong about wearing flats. I think it'll look more professional ... if I don't fall down!

Haha nothings wrong with flats! If thats what you're comfortable in go for it. Thats what I was getting at - I just failed.

The OP just referenced heels - so thats where my head was. I was just trying to say get a height (or flats) you're comfortable in. If they hurt they either don't fit or are too high.

 

[TeaKae]

Gah! What's so wrong about wearing flats. I think it'll look more professional ... if I don't fall down!

If you are barely over 5 feet tall and can't afford to have your suit pants hemmed up, then you'll want some nice platform-age under you!

 

[Ambrosha]

Hi,

So I have a pair of comfortable and cute peep-toe shoes that you can barely tell are peep-toe. Do or don't? Of course closed toe is more desirable, but how bad would it be?
Also, is patent (not the low-gloss kind), really glossy patent a no-no? Again, a comfortable pair of closed toe blk patent leather flats that I'm considering.

Thank you!

 

[Jolie South]

Hi,

So I have a pair of comfortable and cute peep-toe shoes that you can barely tell are peep-toe. Do or don't? Of course closed toe is more desirable, but how bad would it be?
Also, is patent (not the low-gloss kind), really glossy patent a no-no? Again, a comfortable pair of closed toe blk patent leather flats that I'm considering.

Thank you!

yikes! patent leather, that's flashy. i wouldn't do it, but i don't see how anyone could reject you for it.

 

[silverlining1]

Hi,

So I have a pair of comfortable and cute peep-toe shoes that you can barely tell are peep-toe. Do or don't? Of course closed toe is more desirable, but how bad would it be?
Also, is patent (not the low-gloss kind), really glossy patent a no-no? Again, a comfortable pair of closed toe blk patent leather flats that I'm considering.

Thank you!

I vote no on both patent and peep-toe because neither gives a conservative, professional look, in my opinion. I don't think it would be the end of the world, but for me, I'd rather look normal and let my personality stand out rather than risk letting my attire have an unfavorable impact.

*Note that I said risk 🙂

 

[Picklesali]

If you are barely over 5 feet tall and can't afford to have your suit pants hemmed up, then you'll want some nice platform-age under you!

Wait... I am barely over 5 feet tall. Are you stalking me? Where are you? RIGHT BEHIND ME! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!

 

[doinmybest5840]

I don't know about peep toe, but I don't see anything wrong with patent leather. Especially if you're wearing a pants suit. With a skirt, they'll be more visible, but if you're wearing pants, they won't even see much of your shoes except when you're sitting, and even then, they'll probably be sitting on the other side of a table/desk, so they wouldn't be able to easily see them.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Hi,

So I have a pair of comfortable and cute peep-toe shoes that you can barely tell are peep-toe. Do or don't? Of course closed toe is more desirable, but how bad would it be?
Also, is patent (not the low-gloss kind), really glossy patent a no-no? Again, a comfortable pair of closed toe blk patent leather flats that I'm considering.

Thank you!

I don't know why everyone is saying no peep toe. I wore open-toed sandal style dress heels and I saw a lot of other women on the interview trail wearing them.

It never even occurred to me that showing toe would be unprofessional...😕

So if you ask me - peep toe is fine.

 

[ScubaEMT]

Bring your biggest handbag. Looks like your interviews are all in Texas, anyway, don't they like big things there?😀 I intend to wear heels to my interview(s?), change into my running shoes for campus tours, and stash the heels in my bag.

Good plan... My wifes purse could fit an entire wardrobe for a weeks worth of interviews. I have always told her that such a huge bag is entirely impractical, but I guess that you just found a use for it.

 

[smq123]

I don't know why everyone is saying no peep toe. I wore open-toed sandal style dress heels and I saw a lot of other women on the interview trail wearing them.

It never even occurred to me that showing toe would be unprofessional...😕

So if you ask me - peep toe is fine.

Hmm, that's interesting. I've associated peep-toe shoes as "unprofessional," but they may be fine for the interview.

I think it's because you really shouldn't wear open-toe shoes in the hospital, especially not on the OB/Gyn, surgical, emergency, or ID services. (But, despite all that, I've seen people wear them anyway. Blech.)

Anyway, as long as your shoes don't scream attention, then they'll be fine.

 

[cpa2md]

I had back-to-back interviews at A&M and UTMB last week, and UTMB (Galveston) is one that specifically suggests another pair of shoes. Wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row was my biggest worry of the interviews.

I had a large plether bag (nice-looking) that contained my shoes, portfolio, etc., and had plenty of time to change. There was opportunity to use the restroom and change there. I also discreetly changed shoes on a bus tour. Under the tablecloth at lunch works, too.

If in doubt, take a spare pair of shoes!! The last thing you want to think about is how badly your feet hurt when you could be asking great questions during the tours!

 

[Kiara08]

thanks for all your advice.

i'll be shopping this weekend for a bigger bag to carry all of my stuff and i suppose i'll change shoes if i can find a good time/place to do it and just suffer through if theres no such opportunity