dress code for interviews

[sport29883]

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For those who recently interviewed for residency or current residents...

Whats the standard dress code for residency interviews? I know its traditionally a black suit, but some of my seniors mentioned that PDs of some places they interviewed at used to comment stuff like "here comes the funeral party etc 😉". They suggested it may actually be a better idea to go with something like grey or navy blue to stand apart. Suggestions?

 

[JonnyG]

For those who recently interviewed for residency or current residents...

Whats the standard dress code for residency interviews? I know its traditionally a black suit, but some of my seniors mentioned that PDs of some places they interviewed at used to comment stuff like "here comes the funeral party etc 😉". They suggested it may actually be a better idea to go with something like grey or navy blue to stand apart. Suggestions?

if you go to any place to buy a suit thats good they will tell you to stay away from black now a days. It also depends on your location. In the midwest brown and green suits are seen more. Most people this year that i saw were not wearing black suits.

 

[sport29883]

hmm..thanks. thats interesting to know that there is a gradual decline. dark brown appears quite appealing actually...dont have any specific regional preference, would like to be on the west coast though if given a chance 🙂

 

[Doctor Bob]

They suggested it may actually be a better idea to go with something like grey or navy blue to stand apart. Suggestions?

So long as by standing apart you don't stand out in a bad way you should be fine. Try to avoid pastel colors (seen it... didn't come across very well IMO) or funny ties (your love of tobasco sauce, while unique, is probably not the best choice for an interview, but maybe I'm wrong on that).

But if you really want to stand out at interviews, you could always join the military. Then you can go in your formal dress uniform.

 

[SoCuteMD]

I saw lots of black, navy, and grey on the interview trail.

 

[John Deere Gree]

For those who recently interviewed for residency or current residents...

Whats the standard dress code for residency interviews? I know its traditionally a black suit, but some of my seniors mentioned that PDs of some places they interviewed at used to comment stuff like "here comes the funeral party etc 😉". They suggested it may actually be a better idea to go with something like grey or navy blue to stand apart. Suggestions?

Seriously?!?

Who cares. Wear a suit and you're good to go. You aren't going to be dropped down the rank list because you wore a navy (or grey or black suit).

For what it's worth, I have a black and charcoal suit. I think I wore my black suit to where I matched.

 

[lord_jeebus]

There's nothing unprofessional about a gray or navy suit. I have one of each, which I used for interviews - but no black suit.

I've been fortunate not to have any funerals to attend in my adult lifetime.

 

[BigRedBeta]

In all actuality, any conservative color (not just black) will ALWAYS be acceptable. I don't think wearing a navy or gray or even a muted tan/khaki will "make you stand apart".

In fact, if a male is buying a suit for the first time (there might be a few med students who got through med school interviews with khakis and a navy blazer - especially in the south) it's probably BEST to buy a Navy one - generally it's a more flexible option, and most people look better in navy anyways.

If you wish to stand out a little bit - make it by wearing a tie/shirt combo that really pops visually (but keep the patterns subdued).

 

[tracheatoedoc]

The standard seems to be an ill-fitting inexpensive dark suit.
I don't think your suit will be an issue, unless it is a ridiculous baby blue tuxedo, or, unless you are interviewing at that snooty Columbia where blond docteur goes and the students are so uppercrust.

Generally, wear a suit that fits well, and be well groomed. Haircut, nose hair clipped, leave the earring and cologne at home.

 

[dragonfly99]

A conservatively colored suit that fits reasonably well. Black or navy were what I saw the most, but brown or gray would probably be O.K.

 

[ilikepsych09]

I bought a suit that is a medium, subdued grayish-blue with light blue pinstripes. Surrounded in a sea of black suits and skirt suits, I stood out. Numerous interviewers (and fellow interviewees, actually) complimented me on it, and I can remember one interviewer telling me she was glad someone could dress like a grownup and deviate from the standard black. Admittedly, interviewing for psych might be a little more liberal in all aspects, wardrobe included. Maybe for surgery black and gray are the only ways to go? I have no idea. I think it wouldn't hurt to stand out a little if it's in a professional manner.

That said, the suit isn't going to leave any sort of major impression. Just make sure that whatever you wear, you are well-groomed and that when you eat you have good manners.

 

[jonb12997]

In my opinion, a black suit is ok... just get a shirt and tie (obviously for the guys) that pops. I wore a medium blue shirt with a yellow printed tie. It looked good and I think really stood out.

Or you could do what one girl that I interviewed with did. She was telling us that her luggage got lost on the plane flight in, yet she was in a suit. She got in at 11pm the night before the interview, got a taxi to a local wal-mart, paid the guy to wait outside, and went in and bought a suit. I swear it looked like something from Macy's. There was no way any of us could tell she got it there. (guys aren't lucky enough to be able to pull something like that off...)

 

[Dr Magpie]

Longtime lurker here...

I had three different suits for my interviews. One cornflower blue (with matching shell), one light brown (with a light purple shell underneath), and one black with thin magenta pinstripes (forgot what color shirt I wore under that.). All skirts. All from Macy's but all altered to fit perfectly.

I took it easy on the jewelry but made sure that the pieces I wore were "statement" pieces (i.e. not diamond studs or a thin gold chain) and wore plain black pointy-toe pumps. Hose in cooler climates, none in warmer climates. My goal was to be very polished and together but still just a little offset from the crowd.

(I got lots of compliments on my outfits and matched at my first choice.)

 

[sport29883]

I bought a suit that is a medium, subdued grayish-blue with light blue pinstripes. Surrounded in a sea of black suits and skirt suits, I stood out. Numerous interviewers (and fellow interviewees, actually) complimented me on it, and I can remember one interviewer telling me she was glad someone could dress like a grownup and deviate from the standard black. Admittedly, interviewing for psych might be a little more liberal in all aspects, wardrobe included. Maybe for surgery black and gray are the only ways to go? I have no idea. I think it wouldn't hurt to stand out a little if it's in a professional manner.

That said, the suit isn't going to leave any sort of major impression. Just make sure that whatever you wear, you are well-groomed and that when you eat you have good manners.

This is what I was getting at. Definitely the suit will not affect the rank order at all. As long as someone is wearing something decent and clean, it shouldnt be an issue. Having said that, it wouldnt harm to make a good first impression. Thanks people, you've been a big help

 

[Drawing Dead]

Seriously, when it comes time to do the program's rank list, you will come up as that guy. Very memorable!
http://http://www.johnbgrimes.com/blog/dumb.jpg

 

[psychmatch]

As long as you look neat and clean and don't smell,thats all that is important to the program!🙂 But ofcourse,each of us wants to make the best impression that we can,so here goes.. Almost everyone I met on all my interview days wore a black pant suit and a white shirt(men and women). Sometimes there would be 6 of them with the exact same color suit and shirt!
I wore a light grey pant suit paired with a white shirt(you could wear a dark blue shirt with this suit too) and a black pantsuit with a deep maroon shirt(from Ann Taylor). For my west coast interviews,I wore a dark brown pin-stripes skirt suit from Macys with a white shirt and skin colored stockings with brown shoes. I was complimented on my clothes at a lot of places and also matched at my number 1! I'm not saying it was due to the color of my suits or dress sense but well,I'd like to think I left a positive impression overall. Light grey,dark brown,dark blue etc look great-go with any of these colors and remember to carry your smile and your confidence!!

 

[sport29883]

As long as you look neat and clean and don't smell,thats all that is important to the program!🙂 But ofcourse,each of us wants to make the best impression that we can,so here goes.. Almost everyone I met on all my interview days wore a black pant suit and a white shirt(men and women). Sometimes there would be 6 of them with the exact same color suit and shirt!
I wore a light grey pant suit paired with a white shirt(you could wear a dark blue shirt with this suit too) and a black pantsuit with a deep maroon shirt(from Ann Taylor). For my west coast interviews,I wore a dark brown pin-stripes skirt suit from Macys with a white shirt and skin colored stockings with brown shoes. I was complimented on my clothes at a lot of places and also matched at my number 1! I'm not saying it was due to the color of my suits or dress sense but well,I'd like to think I left a positive impression overall. Light grey,dark brown,dark blue etc look great-go with any of these colors and remember to carry your smile and your confidence!!

Hmm..thanks..any specific reason for the color change on the West Coast or just like that?

 

[psychmatch]

LOL I didn't intend to make a color change but a dress change-from pant to skirt because the weather is warmer out here-I got the skirt suit at a great deal at Macys! Go when they have a big sale-sometimes on Columbus day,labor day etc..and you will get awesome deals!