Interview Attire

[Acid11]

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What does one wear to interviews? Business casual, strictly business, ..?
I am a guy, so I would appreciate detailed feedback🙂
By the way, is there anything else I should know about the trip to my destination, during the time at my destination, and coming back? (ex: how much time to arrive there before interview, etc.) Thank you!

 

[tashka]

Based on my interview experience, I recommend strictly business attire: conservative color suit and tie. Arrive in advance, and find out the day prior how to get to the interview location. And don't be late on the day of the interview. All these things show your respect for the school and your desire to be a part of it. Good luck.

 

[nightcrawleRx]

Based on my interview experience, I recommend strictly business attire: conservative color suit and tie. Arrive in advance, and find out the day prior how to get to the interview location. And don't be late on the day of the interview. All these things show your respect for the school and your desire to be a part of it. Good luck.

I agree, def wear a suit, clean shave, neat, etc. I would wear a black or grey suit with a white shirt...white is classic and you can't go wrong. I have plenty of other colored shirts I like to wear sometimes but not for an interview. Same thing goes for the tie, nothing too "jazzy". Keep it simple and classy. Get there on time, maybe bring a pen, even a little portfolio if you want to write anything down. Last but not least, ask questions, they love it. It shows interest in the program and you might even learn some things you otherwise would have never known or thought about.

 

[Acid11]

Thanks, guys. That helped a lot.

 

[greatdeals225]

even if i'm not a guy, i would suggest to bring some money for lunch or snack... lol

 

[Acid11]

That means khaki pants would not do, right. I'm guessing black coat and black trousers or grey coat and grey trousers?

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

I would say no to khakis. There are places to get cheap suits, check goodwill or thrift stores. Something that looks professional

 

[CaliRx]

Should a woman do the same? Go with a professional suit?

 

[fmbzp5]

I see interviewees for pharmacy, medical, podiatry and PA programs daily and everyone wears a suit, including the women. Some wear the suit pants and others wear skirts that are long (well below the knees) and my boss interviews DO applicants. He says black or dark blue suit, white shirt and a tie that isn't too flashy. he told me also he has seen applicants wearing sandels and they don't get in!

I personally went to the mens wearhouse and got a suit jacket and pants pair for 99 bucks so you can do it for pretty cheap.

 

[Farmercyst]

I would say no to khakis. There are places to get cheap suits, check goodwill or thrift stores. Something that looks professional

I'd say no khakis, no corduroy (at least not corduroy suits, skirt may be okay). Navy or midnight blue are okay in addition to black/smoke/gray. If you want to stand out you could go french cuffs w/cuff links, but no one expects that. "A"(1) lapel pin from honor societies, Eagle Scout pin okay, just don't overdo it. You don't want your Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Eagle scout pin, Fraternity pin, etc crowding your clothes like your some 5 star general back from the war. Take out your nose, eyebrow, lip, and tongue jewelry if it doesn't require the jaws of life. Ear rings for girls definitely okay, but keep it conservative (not 5 in each). For guys if you've got'em think about it. I won't say you have to take them out, but if you leave them in keep'em conservative. Cover tats where possible. It's not that you won't get in if you have them, but they're still not generally accepted as "business professional" attire.

 

[Jackanese]

The purpose of an interview is to show the admit committee how you stand out among your peers. So why be like the crowd? Be brave and bold. I say wear a pair of your usual jeans (clean and unripped, ofcourse) and a white tee 😀. That way you'll really stand out!
I am j/k ofcourse

 

[Dr.Biassi]

Guys I think Black suits with shirt under is not a business attire!!! It is either a night life outfit or mourning.....Blue or other color will be ok.
FYI:: if you are going to a school in an area with a nice weather, don't wear black suit. Another color is better: brown, grey or dark blue!!!! If it is the cold weather wear black suit, Indigo or grey with any shirt color but blue.
Just my opinion and what I learn from other people!!!

 

[GreyFox2002]

Guys I think Black suits with shirt under is not a business attire!!! It is either a night life outfit or mourning.....Blue or other color will be ok.
FYI:: if you are going to a school in an area with a nice weather, don't wear black suit. Another color is better: brown, grey or dark blue!!!! If it is the cold weather wear black suit, Indigo or grey with any shirt color but blue.
Just my opinion and what I learn from other people!!!

I kinda disagree with that.

For guys especially, black is a really powerful looking color. Its very authoritative looking. I wore a black suit to my interview (its my only suit), and not to brag, but I look damn good in it 🙂

I got accepted, so it must have worked.

Any suit is fine. The ad com isn't going to judge based on color, as long as its black, blue, brown, or whatever else that is conservative.

 

[PharmGirl214]

I see interviewees for pharmacy, medical, podiatry and PA programs daily and everyone wears a suit, including the women. Some wear the suit pants and others wear skirts that are long (well below the knees) and my boss interviews DO applicants. He says black or dark blue suit, white shirt and a tie that isn't too flashy. he told me also he has seen applicants wearing sandels and they don't get in!

I personally went to the mens wearhouse and got a suit jacket and pants pair for 99 bucks so you can do it for pretty cheap.

How long would long enough be? Would just below the knees still be okay? 🙂

 

[MuraRX]

Guys, whatever you do, just don't wear jeans and a baseball cap! I saw that at a recent interview and was just completely baffled as to why someone would do that. 😱
Black, blue, gray, whatever you choose, just look professional. The point is that they know you are taking this seriously.

I'm female and have worn a suit to almost all my interviews with one exception (when suit was being drycleaned). And to the exception I wore slacks, a button-down collar shirt and a black sweater-vest over it. I didn't feel I was underdressed one bit. And I second the notion to keep the piercings to a minimum where possible--for girls, just keep the earrings small and classy.

Good luck to everyone still interviewing!!!

 

[sooz1002]

How long would long enough be? Would just below the knees still be okay? 🙂

hi pharmgirl214! a skirt suit with the skirt about one inch above or below the knee is standard business attire, so your suit will be fine. 🙂

 

[InstantW0nt0n]

For the guys:

I went with my black suit with a dark burgundy dress shirt and a matching tie.
I believe that I might have been the only guy out of both my interviews that had a colored dress shirt. Everybody else was wearing white.

Western 1st interview - accepted
USC 2nd interview - accepted

ps. it doesn't matter what you wear, as long as it makes you feel like the most confident person in the room. Thats most important.

 

[jmkraus]

for UF it says "men should wear slacks, collared shirts, and a tie. sport coats are optional." does this mean no khakis? it sounds to me like they aren't specifically looking for blue and black business suits. i was planning on wearing khakis with dress shoes, a bold colored collared shirt and tie. no coat. this is the same kind of attire they had me wear when i worked at walgreens. the manager there was a woman who always complimented my outfit. she said men look good in black and white, but they look better in color.

either way, i dont think it matters. as long as you aren't wearing blue jeans, your attire isn;t going to make or break your interview. you can put a suit on a monkey and send him to an interview and he still wont get the job. the interviewers are looking for you to do the talking, not your clothes.

 

[sooz1002]

for UF it says "men should wear slacks, collared shirts, and a tie. sport coats are optional." does this mean no khakis? it sounds to me like they aren't specifically looking for blue and black business suits. i was planning on wearing khakis with dress shoes, a bold colored collared shirt and tie. no coat. this is the same kind of attire they had me wear when i worked at walgreens. the manager there was a woman who always complimented my outfit. she said men look good in black and white, but they look better in color.

either way, i dont think it matters. as long as you aren't wearing blue jeans, your attire isn;t going to make or break your interview. you can put a suit on a monkey and send him to an interview and he still wont get the job. the interviewers are looking for you to do the talking, not your clothes.

I agree that it doesn't matter too much. It also might have to do with where your school is. Since Florida is warmer, maybe jackets aren't all that common? In the northeast, dress is more conservative and suits are definitely the norm.

 

[Dr.Hafeza]

I only wear ankle length skirts, so I was thinking of a black ankle length skirt with a black or gray shirt, and a jacket...the jacket i have is kinda flashy though...it's black but it's got gray designs all over it...
I'm not sure if i should wear it or just stick to solid colors.

 

[sdn1977]

I only wear ankle length skirts, so I was thinking of a black ankle length skirt with a black or gray shirt, and a jacket...the jacket i have is kinda flashy though...it's black but it's got gray designs all over it...
I'm not sure if i should wear it or just stick to solid colors.

If you're comfortable with the ankle length skirt, ok...but that is not typically considered business attire - at least where I am and in the business I'm in. However, in the fashion district of SF, its acceptable. But - is that what you want to put forth?

The jacket should not be flashy at all! It can be different - you don't need to stick with "dark" colors - particularly if you're interviewing in warm weather areas in warm weather. But..flashy - no.

If your jacket has designs in which are not metallic or what would be considered "evening" wear - thats ok. Metallic, beaded or "evening" would stand out, IMO.

One of my daughter's interview suits was plum colored - so you don't have to stick with blue, black or brown, if you're a woman. Just - business.

 

[beccala33]

Wear a suit. A black or dark colored suit. No matter what they tell you that you are allowed to wear. End of story.

I saw an interview group at my school the other day and one girl (out of maybe 15) had on a bright red suit. I have heard that there are interviews where you want to show off your individuality or flair; an interview for pharmacy school isn't one of those kinds of interviews. She looked out of place and unprofessional among the other students who were interviewing. Moral: You are trying to enter a professional program (not a school of art or drama), look professional!

 

[Tired Pigeon]

What does one wear to interviews? Business casual, strictly business, ..?
I am a guy, so I would appreciate detailed feedback🙂
By the way, is there anything else I should know about the trip to my destination, during the time at my destination, and coming back? (ex: how much time to arrive there before interview, etc.) Thank you!

For men or women, you're better off going 'strictly business'. I've never heard of anyone getting knocked on their interview evaluation because they appeared "too professional", have you? Some interviewers may not mind a more casual look, but why take the chance?

Also, don't buy into the advice to wear something that "really stands out, so they'll remember you." This is a professional school interview, not a first date. You DON'T want to be remembered for what you were wearing, trust me.😉

 

[Jbuprepharm]

I wore a navy blue suit with lighter blue pinstripes. a white shirt, a tie of course, oxblood shoes. Go for classic but with style

 

[Farmercyst]

I wore a navy blue suit with lighter blue pinstripes. a white shirt, a tie of course, oxblood shoes. Go for classic but with style

I do like oxblood.👍