Dress code - interviews, and pre interview dinners.

[lucid_interval]

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forgive my ignorance, but what is the norm, and what would be acceptable as far as fashionable goes?

 

[John Red]

forgive my ignorance, but what is the norm, and what would be acceptable as far as fashionable goes?

Pre-interviews: businesses casual is never a bad idea. I always wore a collared shirt. Some will be in jeans and t-shirt. Up to you, I erred on the side of more dressed up.

Interviews: Suit and tie unless told to specifically NOT wear that. There are a couple programs out there that stress suit and tie are not necessary and people show up to those in scrubs, jeans, ect. These programs will let you know in advance what they expect. If you don’t receive specific instructions re: dressing , assume suite and tie.

As far as fashionable vs classic trends, EM is a pretty progressive group of people, but I’m not sure residency interviews are the time to try new fashion trends. You have 1 shot to leave an impression with your interviewers, and they will make an impression about you based on looks (attire, grooming, hairstyle, etc) waaaay before you open your mouth and say much. Just think about what you want to interviewer to remember about you. They see hundreds of people per season, do you really want them to remember you as the neon green dude/dudette?

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Interview: Professional attire, nobody wants to remember you for how you dressed. Everytime we remembered how someone dressed, it was in the context of something negative about them and why we didn't want them high on the list.

forgive my ignorance, but what is the norm, and what would be acceptable as far as fashionable goes?

 

[gamerEMdoc]

Business casual for pre-interview dinner, business attire for interview. Unless told otherwise by the program.

 

[thegenius]

It's one of the most important days in your professional career. Why take chances? Wear a suit and tie. Maybe if you want to be casual you can take the tie off. First impressions are so important. I don't want to be interviewing a resident candidate who is in scrubs.

 

[EMmotherhen]

You don't need designer suits, Rolex watches, etc - just wear clean, pressed, well fitting business clothes. Dress professionally but make sure you're comfortable in whatever. Your clothes can be from a consignment shop - we'll never know. No one is noticing your shoes unless they're muddy or you can't walk in them.

Men and women: please go lightly on the aftershave/perfume! You're being escorted into an interview with someone who might be sensitive to fragrance. Their sneezing fit is not the first impression you're hoping for.

And to the ladies - I really don't recommend 4 inch heels and tight skirts. You're going to be given tours and do not want to be seen limping or wincing. And yes, I've seen it - far too many times. I will never forget the applicant who came to interview day in a cocktail dress she could barely sit or walk in. 'Nuf said....

 

[Fox800]

Interviews aren't the place to re-invent business professional fashion norms. I distinctly remember a woman that interviewed in snakeskin high heels in the Midwest. No, we aren't in California or San Antonio. Leave that crap at home.

Similarly for guys, don't re-invent the wheel. Navy or charcoal suit, dress shirt, tie. White or blue dress shirt without a weird pattern. Brown or black dress shoes (Oxfords) with a matching belt. Don't wear a bowtie, for the love of God. You aren't a pediatrician in South Carolina. No weird-colored suits, no neon dress shirts from Express. Just blend in. If you don't have one, just go to Suit Supply and buy their entry-level navy suit and get some dress shirts from wherever else. Oxfords from Allen Edmonds (Park Avenue) or something similar. Don't wear loafers or boat shoes or cowboy boots with a suit.

For pre-interview social events, I just wore chinos with a button-down shirt and casual boots. Seemed to fit in as most of these places were at a bar or one of the resident's houses. Look comfortable but smart.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Don’t be the guy with the hand carved wooden bow tie. I’ve seen it on the med school trail.

 

[GonnaBeADoc2222]

Don’t be the guy with the hand carved wooden bow tie. I’ve seen it on the med school trail.

LMAO.

I remember seeing one of these tools at our table at a residency fair.

 

[STEMI_voy]

Interviews aren't the place to re-invent business professional fashion norms. I distinctly remember a woman that interviewed in snakeskin high heels in the Midwest. No, we aren't in California or San Antonio. Leave that crap at home.

Similarly for guys, don't re-invent the wheel. Navy or charcoal suit, dress shirt, tie. White or blue dress shirt without a weird pattern. Brown or black dress shoes (Oxfords) with a matching belt. Don't wear a bowtie, for the love of God. You aren't a pediatrician in South Carolina. No weird-colored suits, no neon dress shirts from Express. Just blend in. If you don't have one, just go to Suit Supply and buy their entry-level navy suit and get some dress shirts from wherever else. Oxfords from Allen Edmonds (Park Avenue) or something similar. Don't wear loafers or boat shoes or cowboy boots with a suit.

For pre-interview social events, I just wore chinos with a button-down shirt and casual boots. Seemed to fit in as most of these places were at a bar or one of the resident's houses. Look comfortable but smart.

Not even conservative bow ties? :/

 

[gamerEMdoc]

Not even conservative bow ties? :/

I’ve seen plenty of people wear bowties on the interview trail. I think the issue someone brought up was the hand carved wooden bowtie in particular.

 

[cyanide12345678]

I saw plenty of bow ties, they shouldn't be an issue in general.

I don't even know what a hand carved wooden bowtie is 😛 I'm obviously not fancy enough for one.