Interview Attire?

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I think a suit is pretty much expected for a residency interview. For men, a dark suit and a relatively conservative shirt-tie combination. For the social events the night before, I have heard nice dress pants and a button-down shirt is ok.

Hope this helps.
 
Just like for any other professional interview, you are expected to dress nicely. For men this would translate into suit, tie, dark socks, shiny shoes and a dress shirt.

Women may choose to wear a trouser or skirt suit, with hose and dress shoes.

Conventional wisdom has it that piercings outside of ears are removed (exception may be made for nose studs in women), hair and nails are neatly trimmed and portfolios or other business cases may be carried.

If you chose not to wear a suit for the interview, you will likely be the only one. This is not the time to show your individuality. Good way to be remembered. Probably not in a positive fashion.
 
i have a little theory on this one. doctors never wear a suit to work, rather they're usually in nice slacks, shirt, and their white coat. thus by having interviewees in a full suit, we stick out like sore thumbs. thus we are readily identifiable to residents and faculty who'll hopefully take the opportunity to greet and welcome us.
 
Hi all,
So i'm a California native, and have a few interviews lined up in Chicago in January. I'm sure it will be really really cold during that time. So, does anyone have any suggestions for wearing suits in these climates? I.e., do i have buy a suit that is a little big for me to wear leggings underneath and perhaps a light sweater instead of an oxford shirt? I really have no idea...and shoes? Since I am a female, what kind of shoes are nice and good for cold weather?

Thanks for all the help!
 
Dre1207 said:
Hi all,
So i'm a California native, and have a few interviews lined up in Chicago in January. I'm sure it will be really really cold during that time. So, does anyone have any suggestions for wearing suits in these climates? I.e., do i have buy a suit that is a little big for me to wear leggings underneath and perhaps a light sweater instead of an oxford shirt? I really have no idea...and shoes? Since I am a female, what kind of shoes are nice and good for cold weather?

Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...

You'll want a dress overcoat - being from the North - I can assure you, layering it up under that suit is a BAD idea - youll get hot and sweat. Flats that have some rubber on the bottom so you don't fall on the ice and thicker hose (NOT TIGHTS).

I bought an overcoat with a hood that loosely goes over my head so I didn't have to worry about a hat, it worked well for all my interviews last year.

Good luck - you're gunna have a great time!~
 
I really want to buy a tuxedo, but need a reason. I had a tuxedo when i first got married 17 years ago - loved it. Wore it many ways. Would it be overkill to wear a tux.

I love tuxes.

Maybe I will wear one during rotations..... even OB.
 
More strict guidelines for guys are:

1) Suit
  • Charcoal or Navy - Black is too shiny and can be seen as too "slick".
  • Brown/Olive/Grey are too casual. (Charcoal looks like a matte black, so don't be confused by the name. 🙂 )
  • Single Breasted - Double is seen as "slick".
  • Two or Three button.
  • No gold/silvery buttons - too flashy.
  • No vest.

2) Shirt
  • White - standard for a first interview.
  • French Blue, Blue, or White Pinstripe may be worn, but are a little less formal.
  • If you wear a french cuffed shirt, be careful not to wear flashy cuff-links.

3) Tie
  • Conservative - no cartoons or wild designs
  • Not solid - you wind up looking like a waiter

4) Shoes
  • Black
  • Polished
  • No Loafers.

5) Black socks.

6) Conservative accessories - no cartoon watches, giant watch necklaces, dangling earrings, lip-tongue piercings with linking chain...etc.

Not that any of these guidelines need to be followed, but you can't go wrong following them. 🙂
 
Dre1207 said:
Hi all,
So i'm a California native, and have a few interviews lined up in Chicago in January. I'm sure it will be really really cold during that time. So, does anyone have any suggestions for wearing suits in these climates? I.e., do i have buy a suit that is a little big for me to wear leggings underneath and perhaps a light sweater instead of an oxford shirt? I really have no idea...and shoes? Since I am a female, what kind of shoes are nice and good for cold weather?

Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...

Layering is only necessary if part of your interview itinerary includes "snowshoeing with the PD". Seriosuly though, just wear what you would wear to any other interview in California, Arizona, etc. The buildings are heated. You'll just need a dress overcoat (Nordstoms sells some pretty affordable long wool coats), which if paired with some nice leather gloves and a scarf will look professional and keep you warm. Any shoes are fine, but you may want to look for some with rubber soles so they won't slip as readily on ice. (www.beautifeet.com)
 
Thanks for the advice!!!
 
On the other hand, a program director recently told us that they always are happy to see someone not going with the standard black suit, white shirt apparel for an interview. If you've got a nice suit/shirt combo with a bit of color and still looks professional, go for it.
 
is a khaki-colored skirt suit too casual? i found one that SO cute, on sale, fits me (no alterations needed!) and looks great but i don't want to take too great of a risk.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much!
 
ozarka said:
is a khaki-colored skirt suit too casual? i found one that SO cute, on sale, fits me (no alterations needed!) and looks great but i don't want to take too great of a risk.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

I think it would be ok if you were interviewing in California or Arizona...places where the sun is out all the time!
 
AlternateSome1 said:
More strict guidelines for guys are:

1) Suit
  • Charcoal or Navy - Black is too shiny and can be seen as too "slick".
  • Brown/Olive/Grey are too casual. (Charcoal looks like a matte black, so don't be confused by the name. 🙂 )
  • Single Breasted - Double is seen as "slick".
  • Two or Three button.
  • No gold/silvery buttons - too flashy.
  • No vest.

2) Shirt
  • White - standard for a first interview.
  • French Blue, Blue, or White Pinstripe may be worn, but are a little less formal.
  • If you wear a french cuffed shirt, be careful not to wear flashy cuff-links.

3) Tie
  • Conservative - no cartoons or wild designs
  • Not solid - you wind up looking like a waiter

4) Shoes
  • Black
  • Polished
  • No Loafers.

5) Black socks.

6) Conservative accessories - no cartoon watches, giant watch necklaces, dangling earrings, lip-tongue piercings with linking chain...etc.

Not that any of these guidelines need to be followed, but you can't go wrong following them. 🙂
Click to expand...

😱 wow, really? i had no idea so much thought went into guy's clothes. where do you get to show your personality?
 
The key to dressing for interviews is to remember you are applying for a job... a professional job. You will want to look the part, but there is room for some individuality such as color or style. Conservative choices are best... pick the nice dark brown suit paired with a pink or tan blouse over the pink and grey pin stripe suit with pink blouse, skirts should be about knee length (too short is a definate no-no, too long looks too stodgy and you will look short and dumpy), but pants can be worn by women without issue. I am definately not a skirt wearer so did my interviews in a deep forest green suit with pants. Never had any problems (until my zipper broke and had to use a safety pin).

Men should stick with traditional suits and ties, but some of the most memorable candidates I met last year (in a good way) wore dark suits paired with shirts with color (the guys in dark red, burgundy, and cobalt blue were my faves) and coordinated ties. Socks should match your pants or shoes (NO WHITE SOCKS GUYS!!!)
 
Much easier for us guys than gals - I alternated between my dark charcoal grey suit and black suit. Usually light blue or white shirt. Ties were dark and conservative.
 
what type of shirts are the ladies wearing under their suits? button down vs. shell? and this may sound dumb, but if you wear a button down, do you put the shirt collar inside the jacket collar or on top?
 
SippiGirl08 said:
what type of shirts are the ladies wearing under their suits? button down vs. shell? and this may sound dumb, but if you wear a button down, do you put the shirt collar inside the jacket collar or on top?
Click to expand...

yeah, the button down thing is a tough one, unless you can find a mandarin collar. i go for the nice (light weight) sweater but mine isn't cashmere, and like $100 less (same idea, same store):
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pr...l&found=78&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

i find sweaters more comfortable than blouses.
 
Dre1207 said:
Hi all,
So i'm a California native, and have a few interviews lined up in Chicago in January. I'm sure it will be really really cold during that time. So, does anyone have any suggestions for wearing suits in these climates? I.e., do i have buy a suit that is a little big for me to wear leggings underneath and perhaps a light sweater instead of an oxford shirt? I really have no idea...and shoes? Since I am a female, what kind of shoes are nice and good for cold weather?

Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...


agree with a long wool coat. also bring a scarf and gloves. maybe buy some leather gloves, they're a little dressier.
 
SippiGirl08 said:
what type of shirts are the ladies wearing under their suits? button down vs. shell? and this may sound dumb, but if you wear a button down, do you put the shirt collar inside the jacket collar or on top?
Click to expand...

either button down or shell is fine. i had a compromise- a light blue silk button down with collar. just make sure you are comfortable in your interview suit, and you will be fine.
 
SippiGirl08 said:
what type of shirts are the ladies wearing under their suits? button down vs. shell? and this may sound dumb, but if you wear a button down, do you put the shirt collar inside the jacket collar or on top?
Click to expand...

i think both work great! i was looking for a nice shell but ended up getting a button down siky shirt because i could'nt find a pretty colored shell. i think i want to put the collars out...i feel kinda stuffy and penguin-like with it in but i think both ways work 🙂
 
mlw03 said:
i have a little theory on this one. doctors never wear a suit to work, rather they're usually in nice slacks, shirt, and their white coat. thus by having interviewees in a full suit, we stick out like sore thumbs. thus we are readily identifiable to residents and faculty who'll hopefully take the opportunity to greet and welcome us.
Click to expand...

And stand out to the patients too. As evidenced by the patient on the inpatient psych ward we were touring, who looked suspiciously at us suit-attired interviewees and asked "Is y'all the Secret Service?" :laugh:
 
ekydrd said:
skirts should be about knee length (too short is a definate no-no, too long looks too stodgy and you will look short and dumpy), but pants can be worn by women without issue. I am definately not a skirt wearer so did my interviews in a deep forest green suit with pants. Never had any problems (until my zipper broke and had to use a safety pin).
Click to expand...

Actually I agree with the too short. As for too long - I think it's ok to wear what you are comfortable with. At times, I wore an ankle length skirt - I may have looked "short and dumpy" but wearing a knee length skirt - which I would have been uncomfortable with would have been worse. (If your friends laugh at you because you don't know how to sit right in a knee length skirt - that may be a clue not to wear it to an interview...😉 ) Actually I know other people (thinner than me) who wore ankle length skirts who looked svelte and elegant - so it all depends on the person and the eye of the beholder. I also sometimes wore on olive green pants suit.

I agree err on the conservative side - BUT wear something you actually can be yourself in.

For all the angsting - at the place I matched - I forgot to bring my nice interview shoes - wasn't able to buy a pair on the road but had my old beat up shoes shoeshined in the airport - couldn't wear a skirt because the place that had dry cleaned it managed to unhem it -

... and I matched there - beat up shoes and all. 🙂
 
Dre1207 said:
Hi all,
So i'm a California native, and have a few interviews lined up in Chicago in January. I'm sure it will be really really cold during that time. So, does anyone have any suggestions for wearing suits in these climates? I.e., do i have buy a suit that is a little big for me to wear leggings underneath and perhaps a light sweater instead of an oxford shirt? I really have no idea...and shoes? Since I am a female, what kind of shoes are nice and good for cold weather?

Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...

You have been misled. It's never cold in January in Chicago.

:meanie:
 
jocg27 said:
You have been misled. It's never cold in January in Chicago.

:meanie:
Click to expand...

:laugh:

by the way, last week it went from 80's to 50's in 2 days. ahh chicago weather 😍
 
Blade28 said:
You don't just cross your legs? 😕
Click to expand...

That might help. There are of course two ways of crossing one's leg - one which is acceptable in a shorter skirt and one that isn't. I'm very good at crossing my legs the "wrong" way. Then there's the bad habit of pulling on it when it rides up when you sit down.

Regardless, I just don't feel that comfortable in shorter skirts. At an interview I'd rather focus on the interview rather than feeling self concious about my skirt (or any other clothing for that matter) To some extent it's not just the actual clothes that are important, but how you carry yourself. If you are uncomfortable in the clothes that you are wearing that can be communicated to the observer. Certainly in a residency interview (especially for surgery) looking confident and being more comfortable is better than looking ill at ease and anxious.
 
i think the proper thing to do is not cross at the knee (which we are most familiar with), but to cross the ankles, which is awkward, uncomfortable, and hard to remember. i'm wearing pants.
 
spumoni620 said:
😱 wow, really? i had no idea so much thought went into guy's clothes. where do you get to show your personality?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, men's interview dress is meant to show respect for the position. You get to show your personality through your interactions and not with your clothing. This is a very old-fashioned view of the interview, and dress codes are becoming increasingly less formal in many fields. However, dressing conservatively is not going to hurt you, but wearing a gold shirt and wild tie could. 🙂
 
m1234d said:
i think the proper thing to do is not cross at the knee (which we are most familiar with), but to cross the ankles, which is awkward, uncomfortable, and hard to remember. i'm wearing pants.
Click to expand...

Yikes! 😱 Never knew you gals had it so rough. I'm never even aware of how I'm crossing my legs. 🙂
 
genome25 said:
i think both work great! i was looking for a nice shell but ended up getting a button down siky shirt because i could'nt find a pretty colored shell. i think i want to put the collars out...i feel kinda stuffy and penguin-like with it in but i think both ways work 🙂
Click to expand...

On the same topic, what color shirts/shells are women wearing? Should we be conservative white/ivory, or is it ok to get a little color, as long as it's not too wild (like light blue or pink)?
 
i've done 4 interviews so far in pathology and each day i have been BY FAR the most dressed (in my suit) of anyone i've seen that day, including residents, faculty, and staff. i realize i stick out like a sore thumb, but the alternative (dressing far more casual and looking like a resident) would make a horrible impression. i think of the interview attire as another of the silly hoops we sometimes have to jump through.
 
DoctorWannaBe said:
On the same topic, what color shirts/shells are women wearing? Should we be conservative white/ivory, or is it ok to get a little color, as long as it's not too wild (like light blue or pink)?
Click to expand...

colors other than white/ivory are fine. you could even do a dark red or blue or purple or whatever. these colors paired with a black suit or a grey suit add some personality. you can also add some simple small jewelry. i think as women we tend to get away with this stuff, but i am not sure about guys wearing some of these colors. check out the "ladies interview shoes" thread on this forum for more ideas.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450725
 
m1234d said:
i think the proper thing to do is not cross at the knee (which we are most familiar with), but to cross the ankles, which is awkward, uncomfortable, and hard to remember. i'm wearing pants.
Click to expand...

I find crossing at the ankles pretty straightforward. Place one foot on the ground, cross the other ankle in front of it and let the front foot lean on its side. Keep your knees, calves, and ankles touching each other as comfortable. If it's more comfortable, let your knees lean to one side.

I've been wearing a shorter skirt (it's what I have) and sometimes have found myself crossing my legs at the knees, and have not noticed any adverse reactions.

Not a biggie, I think.
 
docdocgoose said:
I find crossing at the ankles pretty straightforward. Place one foot on the ground, cross the other ankle in front of it and let the front foot lean on its side. Keep your knees, calves, and ankles touching each other as comfortable. If it's more comfortable, let your knees lean to one side.

I've been wearing a shorter skirt (it's what I have) and sometimes have found myself crossing my legs at the knees, and have not noticed any adverse reactions.

Not a biggie, I think.
Click to expand...

i'm a big knee crosser, i can't do the ankle thing. when i said proper, i mean it is improper to cross at the knee the way it is improper to eat your food with your fingers. we all do it, you aren't supposed to. if you lean your knees to a side, it throws off your posture, and that doesn't look good. the other thing is, you aren't supposed to have your feet flat together on the ground, for the same reason as not crossing your knees (this is all to avoid theortical viewings- a well made suit skirt, i think, will prevent all of that), in any event, it's all etiquette, and people vary on their knowledge and how much they care. i really don't think its a big deal, but it's still one more thing to wrack my pea-sized brain with on interview day, since i know it's:
sit up,
ankles cross,
shoulders back,
abdomen in
(who ice skated for 14 years?)
smile,
eye contact,
listen and give interesting, thoughtful responses
(bridget jones went through this very well- mr. fitz-pervert:laugh:)
all while appearing like this is a cake-walk, i still opt for the pants suit.
(where are your hands, don't talk with your hands. STOP FLIPPING YOUR HAIR)
 
Hello! I found this discussion on interview dressing very useful...I have shoulder length hair and was wondering if it is ok for to wear it in a neat ponytail . Any suggestions?
 
I agree with the above postings, particularly about attire for men:

CLOTHING:
- Navy or Dark Grey Solid, Black is okay but not preferred. Stripes are seen as more informal.
- Mid-width notched lapel. I would avoid peak lapels or ones that are too thin since they feel more fashionable.
- Conservative styling. I purchased a fashion forward designer suit and felt out of place when I was interviewing last year.
- Single breasted, 2 or 3 buttons (1 button is considered more informal; more buttons have been a recent trend but are also informal)
- For the shirt, white barrel cuffed is preferred. French cuffs are more flashy.
- For the tie, solid or thin stripes.

SHOES:
- Black with grey or black suit.
- Dark brown or black with navy suit.
- Wingtips or Captoe are the most formal.
- Socks should be a solid color in between the suit and shoes.

ACCESSORIES:
- For men, I think the only thing you should wear is a nice watch. I personally wore a metal band, but I have heard that leather bands are considered more formal.
- I also carried a thin black leather portfolio with copies of my C.V's and publications. I would avoid a brief case as it may come off as pretentious.
 
fidok said:
Hello! I found this discussion on interview dressing very useful...I have shoulder length hair and was wondering if it is ok for to wear it in a neat ponytail . Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Female? Yes a ponytail is fine, just don't use a cheap rubber band to hold it back.

Male? Consider that at *some* places, in *some* specialties, with *some* faculty long hair on men is considered a no-no. But if you refuse to cut it, yes, please wear it in a neat ponytail.
 
What should the ladies use to carry things in? My Iserson's says (in italics, no less) not to carry a purse. I have an attache case-- is that pretty common?
 
I think there was another thread on here... and I'm pretty sure that the final verdict was that conservative purses were ok. But I don't have Isersons...
 
Pinner Doc said:
What should the ladies use to carry things in? My Iserson's says (in italics, no less) not to carry a purse. I have an attache case-- is that pretty common?
Click to expand...

I think the "no purse" thing is sort of ridiculous. I was planning on bringing a very thin black leather bag/purse just to hold my portfolio with CV, etc., a ChapStick, eyedrops for my perpetually dry contact lenses, and--sorry to go there--some "feminine products" when it's that time. I'm banking on it being OK as long as it's not my long, tie-dyed cloth hippie purse :horns:
 
A professional looking bag is fine...call it a purse, a folder, an attache, etc. Actual briefcases are fairly uncommon.

It doesn't matter unless you are carrying some thing like a macrame fringed bag...that would probably be noticed...right APD? I think that was what Iserson was referring to.
 
this is the best response i have ever read on this website.
 
spumoni620 said:
😱 wow, really? i had no idea so much thought went into guy's clothes. where do you get to show your personality?
Click to expand...

I'm guessing during the actual interview. 😉
 
What do y'all think of a light grey suit? Looks professional, from express and fits me quite well -- I decided to switch my suits midway through because I was tired of wearing a skirt and my black blazer is way too big. 🙂 Is the color okay?
 
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