Interview Attire -- Three Piece Suit?

[sanguinee]

Thoughts?

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[XeqtR]

Do you mean vest?

 

[moisne]

To be honest... No one really cares. Wear black dress pants, belt, a "calming" colored button up shirt, a tie, and a jacket.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

Don't think anyone would care if you wore a vest, but standing out shouldn't be the goal.

 

[Dr.Sticks]

You would look classy

 

[Winged Scapula]

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.

 

[sanguinee]

Yep 3 piece includes a vest

 

[moisne]

Looks like crap if not cut from same material

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...

 

[LizzyM]

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.

 

[kingston77]

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?:

 

[sanguinee]

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?:

I think a jacket and tie is the minimum required tbh. The above looks a bit too casual

 

[Oh_Gee]

no bright colored shirt? i heard to wear bright colored shirt to contrast with dark suit

 

[Winged Scapula]

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.

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?:

 

[Winged Scapula]

no bright colored shirt? i heard to wear bright colored shirt to contrast with dark suit

No.

White, pale blue, pale gray are best. *Some*, if they know what they are doing, can pull off light lavender or pink.

 

[Biochemistry2014]

Just wear the traditional suit and tie man. This is an interview, not a fashion show. Stand out with your personality.

 

[LizzyM]

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.)

 

[LizzyM]

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.

 

[Winged Scapula]

There is a disconnect between the business suit and what students wear in the classroom or when in a clinical setting.

I dunno; my colleagues wear suits in the office.

 

[LizzyM]

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.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Why is this hard? White shirt, dark pants and jacket, tie. That is it.

 

[ROSC]

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.

 

[BakerStreetJ]

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.

 

[pageantry]

Why is this hard? White shirt, dark pants and jacket, tie. That is it.

Omg let's talk about the color cordovan, patriarchy.
*slinks glumly back to the women's interview attire thread, you know... thread part 3*

 

[LizzyM]

Actually, it has been suggested in jest that applicants should be required to change into scrubs prior to interview in order to remove any tension, impact, cost, etc of interview clothing. Perhaps even gowned and mask to remove any "bias of impression"

I've made that suggestion and it wasn't in jest! (well, maybe half in jest.)

 

[bc65]

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?

 

[ROSC]

Burgundy shirt????

😱😱😱

Trust me it looked sharp 😉

 

[ChrisMack390]

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 have no idea what this means.

I didn't go to a liberal arts school.

 

[yeezuswest]

What if I wore this?

Not srs

 

[LizzyM]

What if I wore this?

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.

 

[kingston77]

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..

 

[Cawolf]

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..

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!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Do medical students and residents wear suits in the office? I think that wed be better off if applicants dressed more like grad student interviewees than MBAs.

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"?

 

[Winged Scapula]

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..

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.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I will be wearing a suit when I'm an attending.

It has always been my impression that surgeons tend to dress more than many other specialties.

 

[Oh_Gee]

Actually, it has been suggested in jest that applicants should be required to change into scrubs prior to interview in order to remove any tension, impact, cost, etc of interview clothing. Perhaps even gowned and mask to remove any "bias of impression"

why not birthday suit?

 

[Psai]

I long for the days when the men wore gray wool pants and blue blazers, white ties 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 had to look up the word "blazer"

 

[LizzyM]

i had to look up the word "blazer"

shakes head in dismay

 

[Wordead]

Trust me it looked sharp 😉

The fact that you "matched" a burgundy tie with a burgundy shirt is.....disturbing.

 

[ROSC]

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.

 

[Wordead]

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?

 

[gyngyn]

The tie wasn't Burgundy, it matched the shirt. Matching inferred to harmonious.
But there was no vest.

I cannot recommend a dark red shirt for a medical school interview.
A dark red tie can be excellent, though.

 

[gyngyn]

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?

I think he means a complementary tie.
There really is no saving a burgundy shirt, though...

 

[ROSC]

I think he means a complementary tie.
There really is no saving a burgundy shirt, though...

🙁
I promise it was a good look. lol

 

[gyngyn]

🙁
I promise it was a good look. lol

We accept bad dressers every year.
Next time wear a white shirt!
This is a serious business. It calls for a serious shirt.

 

[ROSC]

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

 

[gyngyn]

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.

 

[LizzyM]

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)?

 

[Cotterpin]

Actually, it has been suggested in jest that applicants should be required to change into scrubs prior to interview in order to remove any tension, impact, cost, etc of interview clothing. Perhaps even gowned and mask to remove any "bias of impression"

I am 100% in favor of this. Scrubs for life.

 

[p0gono]

I am 100% in favor of this. Scrubs for life.

But what would @gyngyn do with all that time? ;-)

 

[gyngyn]

But what would @gyngyn do with all that time? ;-)

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.