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Interview Attire -- Three Piece Suit?
Started by sanguinee
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Don't think anyone would care if you wore a vest, but standing out shouldn't be the goal.
I would not wear a vest. Its not quite standard fashion these days and you'll come off looking like a bit of a dandy.
Probably - But most reasonable interviews wouldn't bias against you that badly. They would judge if you came in casual clothes.
What if someone was super poor? Meh.
My interview clothes costed a total of 30-40$ (maybe 50 if you include the shoes) - I don't know if being female makes a difference...
My first thought is that if you are in a cold climate in poorly heated buildings, that might be a good idea but in North America in September-October it is not a good idea and in some areas of the USA it would never be a good idea. That's just from a comfort standard. Whether it sends the right message from a sociological perspective is another issue and I think the sense of the group here is that it would be considered pretentious.
Do you think a jacket and tie is a must? How about dress pants and dress shirt with a dress sweater? Would something like this be okay?:
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I think a jacket and tie is the minimum required tbh. The above looks a bit too casual
You guys are killing me. "Dress sweater" is an oxymoron.
Yes, this is a formal business interview and a jacket and tie with matched trousers and coordinating tie is a must.
Yes, this is a formal business interview and a jacket and tie with matched trousers and coordinating tie is a must.
Do you think a jacket and tie is a must? How about dress pants and dress shirt with a dress sweater? Would something like this be okay?:
No.
White, pale blue, pale gray are best. *Some*, if they know what they are doing, can pull off light lavender or pink.
Just wear the traditional suit and tie man. This is an interview, not a fashion show. Stand out with your personality.
Do you think a jacket and tie is a must? How about dress pants and dress shirt with a dress sweater? Would something like this be okay?:
That is very typical for a PhD interview but not for an MD. (I am an interviewer for both.)
I long for the days when the men wore gray wool pants and blue blazers, white shirts and striped ties. I'd see them around campus on tours and then in April I'd see the same outfits on men 30 years older, Alumni Weekend! Things changed about 15-20 years ago.
I do wish that we went to a more casual approach. The interview suit has become more of a costume than anything else. If you are interviewing for a job in a bank or a law office, you are going to dress the way you dress after you get the job. There is a disconnect between the business suit and what students wear in the classroom or when in a clinical setting.
I do wish that we went to a more casual approach. The interview suit has become more of a costume than anything else. If you are interviewing for a job in a bank or a law office, you are going to dress the way you dress after you get the job. There is a disconnect between the business suit and what students wear in the classroom or when in a clinical setting.
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I dunno; my colleagues wear suits in the office.
Do medical students and residents wear suits in the office? I think that we'd be better off if applicants dressed more like grad student interviewees than MBAs.
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Why is this hard? White shirt, dark pants and jacket, tie. That is it.
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I went in for a pre-interview/ counseling session, Charcoal grey Slacks neatly pressed. Burgundy button up with a matching tie neatly pressed as well. Clean shaven, neatly combed hair, no silly jewelry or bracelets, dress watch if applicable. I felt appropriate for the occasion. My opinion is if you don't feel comfortable in what you're wearing its going to project that into your presence.
The consensus in these threads is always the same thing. Go for conservative, classic looks. If something is out of the norm enough that you have to ask, don't.
Omg let's talk about the color cordovan, patriarchy.
*slinks glumly back to the women's interview attire thread, you know... thread part 3*
I've made that suggestion and it wasn't in jest! (well, maybe half in jest.)
I always recommend the standard dark navy or midnight blue two button conservative 2 piece suit. Currently, and for the past 30-40 years, double breasted suits and suits with vests have been out of fashion and therefore look pretentious on everyone but the British royal family ( who look pretentious regardless of dress).
However, I will confess that when the occasional student shows up in just pants and a sweater (male or female) as long as they are neat, I really don't have the time or the opportunity to think about what they're wearing. I'm usually pressed for time, so I get on with the interview, It wouldn't usually be appropriate for me to ask them about their sartorial choices. I will usually give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that their luggage got lost or they are just clueless, and I probably won't hold that against them. I might be more critical of someone in a 3 piece suit, as that would demonstrate an active choice. So I would either conclude, "his father's old suit that fits him", "distant relative of Prince Charles", or "pretentious jerk who will annoy everyone in his class". Don't wear a vest unless you can really pull it off, and it makes you look really good. But that's unlikely.
Just my opinion. But as long as you're neat and personable, it probably won't matter. But why take a chance?
However, I will confess that when the occasional student shows up in just pants and a sweater (male or female) as long as they are neat, I really don't have the time or the opportunity to think about what they're wearing. I'm usually pressed for time, so I get on with the interview, It wouldn't usually be appropriate for me to ask them about their sartorial choices. I will usually give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that their luggage got lost or they are just clueless, and I probably won't hold that against them. I might be more critical of someone in a 3 piece suit, as that would demonstrate an active choice. So I would either conclude, "his father's old suit that fits him", "distant relative of Prince Charles", or "pretentious jerk who will annoy everyone in his class". Don't wear a vest unless you can really pull it off, and it makes you look really good. But that's unlikely.
Just my opinion. But as long as you're neat and personable, it probably won't matter. But why take a chance?
What if I wore this?
Not srs
Not srs
I know of one dean of admissions who has suggested offering instant admission to anyone with the balls to show up at an interview in a plaid jacket but I think that the plaid suit would be taking it too far.What if I wore this?
Not srs
Honestly, not wearing a jacket idea was based more on comfort than trying to stand out. Not only do I not look good in jackets, but they are so uncomfortable that I'm worried that it would hinder my performance..
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I agree with you, but trust me, wear the uniform for the interview.
One interview I went to had a guy wearing the sweater combo, and though he looked professional and nice, he stood out - not in a good way. You don't want people to remember you for your choice of attire. Blend in for now!
No but they wear shirts and ties; suits are not uncommon for Grand Rounds/presentations.
What happened the oft recommended "dress for the job you want"?
I will confess this idea of "comfort above all else" annoys me.
I'm not directing this at you specifically @kingston77 but I see this comment over and over. If your tie/jacket/trousers/shoes are that uncomfortable, you are either wearing ill fitting clothing or have some sort of abnormal sensitivity/hypesthesia.
I'm not particularly comfortable nor do I look my best in scrubs but they are the required (and expected) uniform for the operating room. You don't see me trying to challenge the patriarchy and wear what I feel best in.
It has always been my impression that surgeons tend to dress more than many other specialties.
why not birthday suit?
i had to look up the word "blazer"
shakes head in dismay
The fact that you "matched" a burgundy tie with a burgundy shirt is.....disturbing.
The tie wasn't Burgundy, it matched the shirt. Matching inferred to harmonious.
But there was no vest.
Ah. Interesting that you would use colors to describe everything else but just "matching" for a tie of a different pattern/color.
So what, pray tell, was this matching tie?
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I cannot recommend a dark red shirt for a medical school interview.
A dark red tie can be excellent, though.
I think he means a complementary tie.
There really is no saving a burgundy shirt, though...
We accept bad dressers every year.
Next time wear a white shirt!
This is a serious business. It calls for a serious shirt.
Noted !!!
If it were you interviewing at a school in the South between Sept and Oct what would be your choice of attire?
If you don't mind me asking?
No condescension implied
Navy or charcoal suit, white or very pale blue shirt, burgundy pin dot tie.
The dark shirt/dark tie thing always reminds me of Regis Philbin on the TV show "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" Wasn't that on about a million years ago (or maybe 14 years ago)?
I am 100% in favor of this. Scrubs for life.
I'm in scrubs in the hospital (most of the time).
When I am in clinic I show my patients the respect they deserve by dressing to honor our professional relationship.
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