FOR WOMEN...interview clothing- how important?

[LRmed2003]

---

Members do not see this ad.

umm..so i read thru the other thread and it was all men, men, men...just suck it up and choose a suit.. WE have the REAL issues... like, can we wear a pantsuit to the interview? what colors can we wear? skirt length? dress vs. skirt suit. important important issues.. lol l

~LR

 

[Heal&Teach]

Hey miss lady,

The analagous thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=134884&highlight=interview+clothes+women

 

[BaLeavaMD]

LR..First impressions are very important. I think that women should wear what is comfortable, but conservative. If a pant suit is what is more comfy for you, then go with it. If a skirt...BELOW THE KNEES LADIES...is more comfy, then that's fine too. I don't think they'll say, oh she has on pants and not a skirt. But it will look bad if the skirt is really really short! Also, wear conservative colors of course. Black...

 

[NubianPrincess]

Can I wear my MAC Lipglass? 😀

As tacky as it sounds, lipglass can actually be toned down drastically if you choose a neutral/subtle color and are NOT heavy handed with it 🙂

 

[LRmed2003]

umm..

ideas about hair..can we do a half pony-tail? how much jewelry? how much make-up? How much perfume? How high is too high for our black pumps?

LR

 

[NubianPrincess]

I have natural hair, and i'm sticking to my patented interviewing bun. I use a donut so it is uniform and perfect. There is always that renegade coil that wants to stick out though. 🙄

 

[NubianPrincess]

I think that how much make up is a good question 🙂

ETA - I apologize for not taking these matters to the other thread after H&T was nice enough to bump it 😀

 

[doc luv]

i think what you girls wear should depend on who your intereviewer is. if you kno who it is ahead of time do the following:

female interviewer - be conservative

male interviewer - more makeup, shorter skirt and low cut top

 

[Heal&Teach]

Can I wear my MAC Lipglass? 😀

As tacky as it sounds, lipglass can actually be toned down drastically if you choose a neutral/subtle color and are NOT heavy handed with it 🙂

I wore my lipglass religiously, and it was fine. No one commented on my shine. 🙂 Also, light perfume is fine - if people are commenting on how strong the smell is - you've worn too much.

I only own one piece of jewelry - the name chain my mom gave me a while back. It is the only thing that is pretty much attached to me. No one commented on it, but I did have a few people look past my name tag to see what my chain said. Nothing to flashy, just the stuff you wear everyday. If you wear a lot of rings, I guess it would be good to tone down the "Mister T" until after the interview, but a few are all right.

I saw a variety of shoes on the interview trail... anything is fine. I would not, however, where strappy sandals or anything else with the toes poking out of your shoe. I don't think the interviewer will be paying too much attention to the French Pedi that you got the day before. 🙂 Also remember that you may do a lot of walking on a typical interview day between tours, lunch, etc. It would behoove you to work out some comfortable shoes that you have broken in! I got a pair of Aerosoles pumps, and they're absolutely wonderful - but they still hurt after a full day of walking from the subway station to all due points. Bring a nice sized bag and slip some flip-flops, sneakers, or sandals in so that you can get some relief (unless you've got ultra-comfortable shoes you can wear all day with no problems).

Most of the hairstyles were relatively conservative, and again, varied.

The overall goal is to be neat.

Now go forth and be stylish.

 

[cosmo]

For job interviews, most sources say no pants for girls. Stupid as it sounds, skirts look better. They also say to avoid black and shoot more for grey or navy blue. Black is too solemn and funeral-like. I don't know how that translates to med school interviews though. I'm sure everyone has their own thoughts on this. If you feel like you look good, you are usually much more confident, and perhaps that should be the deciding factor, not what a magazine says. Good luck.

 

[BaLeavaMD]

Can I wear my MAC Lipglass? 😀

As tacky as it sounds, lipglass can actually be toned down drastically if you choose a neutral/subtle color and are NOT heavy handed with it 🙂

I'll definitely have MINE on!! I love that stuff! Very small amt though, just enough to get the nice shine.
Hair...I'm natural too, but I have micro braids right now, so I will have them back in a little ball or something.
Make up...Less is better, I think. You don't want to look like a clown. It depends on you, I guess. I don't wear makeup very often, except my MAC Lipglass 🙂 , so I can go with or without it..However, I will wear a little shadow that day probably!
Jewelry. Very little. Maybe a necklace, some earrings, a watch and 1 ring on each hand...Let's not get in the mind of Mr. T!!!

 

[Heal&Teach]

Let's not get in the mind of Mr. T!!!

hahaha rhl! great minds think alike. 🙂

and to address cosmo's comment about skirts, I think that they do bring a classic look - but don't feel bound by the constraints of wearing one. I also agree that other suit colors should fit the bill. I walked into my first interview wearing a lighter brown suit, and everyone had on either black or navy. Not like it helped since I was stil waitlisted at that school. 🙄 j/k 🙂 I also bought a cute black/brown pinstripe suit which broke up the monotony a bit, and that was just fine.

 

[principessa]

Everyone wears black at med school interviews. It can feel like you're at a Mafia meeting or a funeral. So, black will work. If you want to be a little bit different, go with navy or gray. Whatever you do, the m.o. is conservative, toned down, and natural. Most of all, wear things that you will be comfortable in, and when in doubt go for cooler fabrics because some of these old school buildings are uncomfortably hot and interview days can be quite long. Wear comfortable shoes, too, because they might take you on the long tour through all of the buildings in the medical center.

 

[BaLeavaMD]

hahaha rhl! great minds think alike. 🙂

.

I was thinking the SAME thing when I read your post. It's funny that we posted that at the same time!! too cute...

 

[smallqt]

where can I buy a cheap yet still professional suit like that??

 

[ms2209]

I'm not big on make-up, and I usually never wear any, but my mom is telling me that I better make sure to wear some for the interviews to look more professional. 😀
As for suits, I managed to get two (one pant-suit, and one skirt-suit) on sale. They seem conservative enough and they're pretty nice, so I think I'm set. The only thing I'm worrying about now is the appropriate bag to carry!

 

[Heal&Teach]

smallqt: Outlet shopping! I got my suits at Kasper (an affiliate of Jones NY - actually I think it's owned by them now), and got pretty good deals on them. They had a couple of different deals - buy one piece, get the other one half off; two for $150; and two for $250. I bought two for $150 and one for $130 on the buy one get one half off deal. They also had suits as cheap as $60, and if you get on their mailing list, they always send coupons. I'd first look for one at an outlet mall (usually has "Mills" in the name, e.g., Discover Mills, Concord Mills, or something like Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, MI), and then try the regular outlets (e.g., Prime, Tanger, if you're in NY - Woodbury Commons, etc.).

ms2209, just get a bag that you can tolerate carrying around all day. You'll get some information from the schools, but not enough to fill up a bookbag. A nice tote would suffice. Also, throw on some lipgloss for makeup... you don't need to much. I only wear lips and eyes, and I only wore gloss (refer to MAC above) on most of my interviews.

 

[ms2209]

ms2209, just get a bag that you can tolerate carrying around all day. You'll get some information from the schools, but not enough to fill up a bookbag. A nice tote would suffice. Also, throw on some lipgloss for makeup... you don't need to much. I only wear lips and eyes, and I only wore gloss (refer to MAC above) on most of my interviews.

Thanks H&T, you're so helpful on this thread!!! 😍

 

[ms2209]

i think what you girls wear should depend on who your intereviewer is. if you kno who it is ahead of time do the following:

female interviewer - be conservative

male interviewer - more makeup, shorter skirt and low cut top

🙄 🙄

 

[Heal&Teach]

thanks ms2209 😍 I also forgot to mention that TJMaxx & Marshall's are your best friends when it comes to buying bags. I've gotten some nice ones there for more than half the price of department and other "name brand" stores. DSW is great for shoes if you have the patience to shuffle from aisle to aisle.

i think what you girls wear should depend on who your intereviewer is. if you kno who it is ahead of time do the following:

female interviewer - be conservative

male interviewer - more makeup, shorter skirt and low cut top

so i'm guessing you'll be a student interviewer this year? thanks for the heads up - i'm sure the ladies will make sure that they request you when they interview at UVA.

 

[ms2209]

I'm sorry, but I've got to vent. Why is it that whenever there's a thread about women's interview outfits, some guy has to recommend girls going in bathing suits or wearing heavy make-up. Ummm...hello? Is it too hard to imagine that we could make an impression based on a little something called intellect?

 

[NubianPrincess]

When Ann Taylor Loft has a sale, saddle up and find your size! I got a gorgeous black very subtle pinstriped suit there. I think the jacket was like 85 and the pants 65. If I ever find the matching skirt in a 4 I will buy it. They never have 4s left over 🙁

Gotta love vanity sizing 🙂

 

[NubianPrincess]

I'm sorry, but I've got to vent. Why is it that whenever there's a thread about women's interview outfits, some guy has to recommend girls going in bathing suits or wearing heavy make-up. Ummm...hello? Is it too hard to imagine that we could make an impression based on a little something called intellect?

Because this is SDN. Feel lucky the obligatory "Wear some f*** me boots" suggestion hasn't been made yet 😀 It's what passes for humor round these parts 😉

 

[ms2209]

Because this is SDN. Feel lucky the obligatory "Wear some f*** me boots" suggestion hasn't been made yet 😀 It's what passes for humor round these parts 😉

I guess I just have a warped sense of humor then...

 

[docjolly]

Everyone wears black at med school interviews. It can feel like you're at a Mafia meeting

 

[Heal&Teach]

Because this is SDN. Feel lucky the obligatory "Wear some f*** me boots" suggestion hasn't been made yet 😀 It's what passes for humor round these parts 😉

yes, FMBs and leather... just give it some time, it'll probably come up.

 

[NubianPrincess]

I guess I just have a warped sense of humor then...

I doubt it 😀

 

[ms2209]

I doubt it 😀

 

[abraxas20]

Should I wear my wedding ring? I don't normally wear it...

 

[Heal&Teach]

I'd say what you normally wear... at the same time, someone might question why you aren't wearing the ring - but they shouldn't - that's an illegal question. You might not mind answering the question, but there is a chance that you might get a jerk of an interviewer who's just trying to push your buttons - in that case you don't necessarily have to answer if you don't want to. I guess it depends on your comfort level, esp. since you'll probably bring up the fact that you're married some time during your interview or somewhere in your application.

 

[ms2209]

For those of you who've already been on the interview "circuit", have you ever gotten the "inappropriate questions" about your future family life, etc? If so, how'd you handle it?

 

[Heal&Teach]

The only "inappropriate" questions, so to speak, were at Stony Brook. My interviewer was super cool, and asked me who I was voting for in November's election and my feelings on abortion. It seemed like asked the question moreso for the benefit of being able to express his opinion than to hear mine. It was cool, and I guess it was one of those things to find out where I stand on certain issues, but these are honestly not things that should be asked. However, if he would have framed them differently, he probably could have elucidated the same information with the indirect question (e.g., "How do you feel about universal health care?" or "How do you think medicine will change if abortions are made to be a mandatory part of medical training?" might have been able to assume my position based on my responses...). I didn't encounter any hostile interviewers, so I can't speak based on a negative experience.

EDIT (just reread ms2209's question): Actually, I was asked about having a family on two different interviews, one by a female interviewer, and one by a male Ob/GYN (@ NJ Med & Wake Forest, respectively). I think I was questioned mainly b/c I'm not going to school right out of undergrad, but otherwise, I didn't really find that to be an illegal question in the sense that as a woman, you do have to think about these things (esp. if you're deferring entry beyond graduation from college or are a career changer or non-traditional student).

 

[lorelei]

I have a black skirt suit from job interviews during college. The jacket doesn't button properly anymore though, so I'm going to have to get a new one. Luckily it's from Casual Corner's Collectibles line, so I can buy a jacket and be sure it'll match the skirt I already have.

I'm also going to try and get a dark grey suit with a both skirt and pants, because I'm more comfortable in grey than black and pants than skirts, but I want to have options. (I'm lucky in that I have a job so I can both afford and use a pantsuit now. A few months ago I had to give a presentation in the ill-fitting black suit; not fun.)

Do you guys think it matters what color blouse you wear? I've done light blue and lavender in the past. I actually look best in pink but I'm wondering if that's too girly.

Hair is always my big question. My fallback for interviews is the half-ponytail but that makes me look so young. I'm hoping I'll have a good haircut and then I can wear my hair down and it'll behave.

 

[ms2209]

Hair is always my big question. My fallback for interviews is the half-ponytail but that makes me look so young. I'm hoping I'll have a good haircut and then I can wear my hair down and it'll behave.

My hair will most likely be down, because I usually keep it short. I have to style it though, because otherwise it'll go crazy!

 

[Heal&Teach]

Do you guys think it matters what color blouse you wear? I've done light blue and lavender in the past. I actually look best in pink but I'm wondering if that's too girly.

I'd say wear pink (I don't think it's too girly... men are wearing pink!!!). The lavender or blue would work as well. If anything, it will make you stand out. If it matches, I'd say wear it. 👍

Hair is always my big question. My fallback for interviews is the half-ponytail but that makes me look so young. I'm hoping I'll have a good haircut and then I can wear my hair down and it'll behave.

Whatever style is most comfortable for you, wear it lady! At the same time, I understand what you mean about the hairstyle. I'd think it wouldn't matter either way, but I'm also creeping up to an age where I truly value when people ask me for ID. 😀

 

[efex101]

Never was asked any inappropriate questions...

 

[Heal&Teach]

Hi efex! Are you in Minnesota already? Are you set for school?

 

[StanfordGirl]

For those of you who've already been on the interview "circuit", have you ever gotten the "inappropriate questions" about your future family life, etc? If so, how'd you handle it?

Hi ms2209,

I was asked a question, or rather series of questions I felt uncomfortable with. It was for an MSTP interview. The interviewer asked if I was concerned about finishing my MD & PhD at 30, going on to a residency/fellowship/postdoc and ending up childless at 40. Before I could close my jaw from that one, he followed up with saying that frequently he advises MSTP is a better fit for men. He followed it up with a few similar comments. At the time, I thought he was just trying to get under my skin.
I told him the questions were inappropriate in my opinion and the answers have nothing to do with my qualification for entering the MSTP at this school. I further asked him if I should speak with the director and request another interviewer. Needless to say, he shaped up quickly and he was actually the one to call me to tell my I had been admitted to the MSTP at that school a month later. My best advice is STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! Don't feel intimidated by inappropriate questions. Instead, turn the situation around and put the interviewer on the spot.
Best of luck to all!

 

[Heal&Teach]

Hi ms2209,

I was asked a question, or rather series of questions I felt uncomfortable with. It was for an MSTP interview. The interviewer asked if I was concerned about finishing my MD & PhD at 30, going on to a residency/fellowship/postdoc and ending up childless at 40. Before I could close my jaw from that one, he followed up with saying that frequently he advises MSTP is a better fit for men. He followed it up with a few similar comments. At the time, I thought he was just trying to get under my skin.
I told him the questions were inappropriate in my opinion and the answers have nothing to do with my qualification for entering the MSTP at this school. I further asked him if I should speak with the director and request another interviewer. Needless to say, he shaped up quickly and he was actually the one to call me to tell my I had been admitted to the MSTP at that school a month later. My best advice is STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! Don't feel intimidated by inappropriate questions. Instead, turn the situation around and put the interviewer on the spot.
Best of luck to all!

Right on girl! 👍

 

[ms2209]

Hi ms2209,

I was asked a question, or rather series of questions I felt uncomfortable with. It was for an MSTP interview. The interviewer asked if I was concerned about finishing my MD & PhD at 30, going on to a residency/fellowship/postdoc and ending up childless at 40. Before I could close my jaw from that one, he followed up with saying that frequently he advises MSTP is a better fit for men. He followed it up with a few similar comments. At the time, I thought he was just trying to get under my skin.
I told him the questions were inappropriate in my opinion and the answers have nothing to do with my qualification for entering the MSTP at this school. I further asked him if I should speak with the director and request another interviewer. Needless to say, he shaped up quickly and he was actually the one to call me to tell my I had been admitted to the MSTP at that school a month later. My best advice is STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! Don't feel intimidated by inappropriate questions. Instead, turn the situation around and put the interviewer on the spot.
Best of luck to all!

::manually closing my jaw::
WTF?! I can't believe he spoke like that!!!! Good going for you, that's great! It's a good thing that you stuck up for yourself like that, I know I wouldn't be able to let it slide either. Congrats to your success, you obviously had to deal with a lot!!! 😡 Actually, that reminds me of a talk I went to, Anna Quindlen was the speaker, and someone from the audience stood up and asked her how she handled family and career. Her response was, "I hope that I live to see the day that a man gets asked that same question". 👍 Amen to that!

 

[doc luv]

Is it too hard to imagine that we could make an impression based on a little something called intellect?

if ure referring to my statement, it was just a joke. and as for making an impression based solely on intellect... if that were the case i don't see why u all are so worried about things such as what type of lipstick to wear and whether your hair should be up or down. seriously just go in there and do your thing. i'm sure that the interviewer is not going to care about the color of your skirt.

 

[joy77]

What are opinions on wearing a silk/silk blend shell with the suit rather than a long-sleeved shirt with collar (something with a very conservative neckline to go with a short strand of pearls, for instance, and not a cami or anything, of course). As someone mentioned, it can be warmer in some of the buildings, or some interviews may be in a warm climates.

 

[IceKid]

What are opinions on wearing a silk/silk blend shell with the suit rather than a long-sleeved shirt with collar (something with a very conservative neckline to go with a short strand of pearls, for instance, and not a cami or anything, of course). As someone mentioned, it can be warmer in some of the buildings, or some interviews may be in a warm climates.

that's definitely ok. be comfortable and professional, and you'll be fine!

 

[bridge01]

does it matter? what works for east coast / cold places? wool?

 

[joy77]

does it matter? what works for east coast / cold places? wool?

I have found that wool (with maybe 5% lycra for a bit of stretch) is a flattering material that wears well. Also, I prefer pants that are lined all the way through the leg to keep the fabric from clinging. But that's just what I feel comfortable in!

 

[joy77]

that's definitely ok. be comfortable and professional, and you'll be fine!

Thanks Icekid.

I think the whole interview wardrobe planning is much more fun than filling out secondaries. But, I guess without completing the secondaries, I will not have any interviews at which to wear my great new clothes! Maybe I should get to work on those here.

 

[IceKid]

Thanks Icekid.

I think the whole interview wardrobe planning is much more fun than filling out secondaries. But, I guess without completing the secondaries, I will not have any interviews at which to wear my great new clothes! Maybe I should get to work on those here.

haha i agree! my suit is so cute.. i'd much rather be thinking about clothes than all of these essays! 😛