Interview Attire

Started by phathead
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
I'm wearing a light pinstripe suit with a white undershirt and red/black/white stripe tie.

White shirts and blue shirts = professional
Colored shirts other than blue = high school prom



Sorry, just my opinion 😀
 
Just to throw this out there...

You need to wear a suit. Women included. At one of my interviews two of the women did not wear suits, just nice pants, flats and a nice blouse. They looked out of place and inappropriately dressed. Wear. A. Suit.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Carboxide said:
Just to throw this out there...

You need to wear a suit. Women included. At one of my interviews two of the women did not wear suits, just nice pants, flats and a nice blouse. They looked out of place and inappropriately dressed. Wear. A. Suit.
Click to expand...

👍

you definitely want to dress professionally for an interview at a professional school.
 
My choice of attire was easy as I only have one suit (a black suit I got in high school for homecoming) - I've since worn it to weddings, funerals, etc. Luckily it still fits so I'm wearing it with a bright blue shirt and a tie.
 
MethylEthyl said:
I'm wearing a light pinstripe suit with a white undershirt and red/black/white stripe tie.

White shirts and blue shirts = professional
Colored shirts other than blue = high school prom



Sorry, just my opinion 😀
Click to expand...

I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing a different colored shirt as long as the suit is conservative. (I think that any bright color would work with black.)

I wore a black pinstripe suit and a light (but fairly bright and saturated in color) blue shirt. Unfortunately, it doesn't "fold" or sit nicely so if I leave the top button unbuttoned it droops a little but if I button it, it looks like I sho9uld be wearing a tie lol
 
Wear a dark suit with a conservative tie and shirt combo. You can't go wrong with a white or blue shirt and a nice solid or striped tie. Just don't wear some outlandish tie with a crazy pattern. It's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
 
I havent owned a suit since high school, so I bought a brand new suit from Zara. Im telling you, the nicer you look, the better you feel, the more comfortable you are at the interview. I was really confident and believe all my interviews went well. So dont cheap out on clothes, LOOK GOOD!
 
I don't think it would hurt to wear a shirt color other than white or light blue. I wore a nice stripe shirt under my suit (still conservative, but it at least had a little bit of personality)... I had heard that one of the interviewers at that school made a comment that we all looked like we were going to a funeral because everyone was in black and white. Show some personality with what you wear!
 
Wear whatever makes you feel ready for the interview. For some, that means a loud color matched with a subdued suit - for others, it means a funeral (attire). Having conducted many face to face interviews (for pharmacy school) - I can honestly tell you it matters very little.

The only nuance is poor choices. A decent suit with a regular cut and white shirt will keep the conversation on your personality. A horrible suit with outlandish colors will get your remembered - the one person incapable of wearing something appropriate for their only interview with us (that is a check in the negative column).
 
i find it interesting that most of you are saying a suit is mandatory. i did not wear a suit and there were a few other people who did not wear one as well during my interview. i did not feel that we were underdressed or dressed inappropriately, and i do not feel that were being judged for not wearing a suit. i think as long as you go beyond business casual and look more professional and dressy, you're fine. it's not about the dress, it's what you say in the interview. so basically, i agree with what some of you are saying- it's better to not make a bad impression by being too noticeably underdressed or overdressed/flashy- but i do not feel a suit is mandatory, although it's definitely a plus.
 
ok so I need some help now that I actually have an interview in less then a month. I don't know much about what goes with what or how suites are supposed to look. I wanted to wear khaki pants instead of black, with maybe a black jacket? Is it not write to mix colors like that? I could go all black, I just wanted to do something different
 
jmcfa002 said:
ok so I need some help now that I actually have an interview in less then a month. I don't know much about what goes with what or how suites are supposed to look. I wanted to wear khaki pants instead of black, with maybe a black jacket? Is it not write to mix colors like that? I could go all black, I just wanted to do something different
Click to expand...

Wear a suit. Dont wear khakis and a jacket. You need to wear a tie and look very professional. One guy at my interview had baggy black suit pants and a ****, no tie or jacket. He looked ridiculous. I have been to 4 interviews and all the men wear a full suit. Wear a neutral color **** and tie (blue, white, black etc.) I was the only one with a european style fitted suit and I personally thought it was great. I got compliments at all my interviews.
 
ok thanks for the info. I have a black suite already, but I wanted to stand out without spending money on a new suite lol. I'll just stick to black and get a new shirt.

one more question....
what about hair? right now my hair is really long, and I'm actually planning on pretty much shaving it all off today. It would probably be about an inch all the way around. Is it unprofessional to have my hair like that?
 
jmcfa002 said:
ok thanks for the info. I have a black suite already, but I wanted to stand out without spending money on a new suite lol. I'll just stick to black and get a new shirt.

one more question....
what about hair? right now my hair is really long, and I'm actually planning on pretty much shaving it all off today. It would probably be about an inch all the way around. Is it unprofessional to have my hair like that?
Click to expand...

Lol, long hair usually looks unprofessional, but it kind of depends on the way you make it. 1-inch all around sounds clean cut. You cant go wrong with a shaved head, as long as ur not completely bald looking like a skin head. lol
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
alright cool thanks. Ya I'm not going bald, just tired of the hair in my face, I was just afraid to look unprofessional
 
I had an interview today and I wore a suit set (skirt) that was tan. It was a good choice NOT wearing black because 80% of the people were wearing black. I had pantyhose on and ended up snagging them half way through the day. =/ So i ended up taking them off.
 
I have pharm interviews in Chicago & Philly in Dec and I know its going to be pretty cold. What do I do about a suit? should i wear slacks, turle neck and a peacoat? I dont want to be too cold on the tours and dont want to be hot during the interview.

Im a Florida girl and am really confused about what to wear. please help.
 
Lopez said:
I have pharm interviews in Chicago & Philly in Dec and I know its going to be pretty cold. What do I do about a suit? should i wear slacks, turle neck and a peacoat? I dont want to be too cold on the tours and dont want to be hot during the interview.

Im a Florida girl and am really confused about what to wear. please help.
Click to expand...

Dont wear a skirt, lol. You will be very cold unless you have some really warm leggings. Id suggest typical business attire with a nice long jacket. It hasnt been too cold recently, but just incase, bundle up.
 
MethylEthyl said:
I'm wearing a light pinstripe suit with a white undershirt and red/black/white stripe tie.

White shirts and blue shirts = professional
Colored shirts other than blue = high school prom



Sorry, just my opinion 😀
Click to expand...

I gotta agree with this guy, non white or blue shirts are for high schoolers. Sure you want to stand out but let your interview do all the talking, no pun intended.
 
TXPharmDStudent said:
I gotta agree with this guy, non white or blue shirts are for high schoolers. Sure you want to stand out but let your interview do all the talking, no pun intended.
Click to expand...

For an interview, can't go wrong with a white or blue shirt. But if you're talking about when you're actually working at a pharmacy, you can wear whatever color you want.
 
My next interview will be in the nude. I will let them meet the real me. I just hope it isn't cold.
 
How many chances do you get to make a first impression? If you can grow that goatee back in a few months I would shave it off for sure. Clean shaven is the most professional. Why would you want to do anything that could even remotely lessen your chances of getting into pharmacy school? Sure, people should not be judged on such frivolous things but they are all the time. If you knew afterwards that at one school you were docked even a single point by one of the adcoms for the goatee would you wish you had shaved it off? If the answer is yes then I would break out the razor.
 
Sparda29 said:
Plenty of people had beards at their interviews. You could always play it off that your religion requires some sort of facial hair. Besides, only girly men don't have facial hair.
Click to expand...

:laugh: Facial hair can mean a sign of laziness though. What about that?
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Lopez said:
I have pharm interviews in Chicago & Philly in Dec and I know its going to be pretty cold. What do I do about a suit? should i wear slacks, turle neck and a peacoat? I dont want to be too cold on the tours and dont want to be hot during the interview.

Im a Florida girl and am really confused about what to wear. please help.
Click to expand...


It's freezing in Philly right now! Bring a coat for the tour...you can always take it off while you are interviewing.
 
I personally think you should be proud of being in the military. But in an interview situation it is better to verbally indicate your involvment, rather than to show up in full dress. It would make you stand out...but to me it would be the visual equivalent of people WHO TYPE THEIR INTERNET POSTS ALL IN CAPS. Too up in your face, and not necessarily appropriate for the occasion. Be proud of your accomplishments (as you should be), def state your involvment and how you are a strong leader as a result of being in the military, but keep your dress interview professional. If you want to avoid the funeral garb then don't do black, that is the main color everyone else will be wearing.
 
Girls.... Hair up or down? Many suggest that women should wear their hair up so that they don't mistakenly play with it and have it be a distraction... but personally I hate my hair up lol. Thoughts?
 
weetzie00 said:
Girls.... Hair up or down? Many suggest that women should wear their hair up so that they don't mistakenly play with it and have it be a distraction... but personally I hate my hair up lol. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I wear my hair down at all times. Personally, I think I look like I am 5 years old when it is up. If I need to look professional then I usually just pin my bangs back.
 
weetzie00 said:
Girls.... Hair up or down? Many suggest that women should wear their hair up so that they don't mistakenly play with it and have it be a distraction... but personally I hate my hair up lol. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I always wore my hair down for all of my interviews, and my hair is long. Just make sure not to play with it too much. It's ok to move it if it gets in your face or eyes, just make sure not to flip it with every other sentence. Keep your hands folded in your lap and you'll be fine.
 
311fighters said:
You mean girly men CAN'T GROW facial hair. I don't have facial hair, because I shave and I'm probably the farthest thing from being a girl. I would just shave it completely, you can always grow it back in a couple days right? A lot of people find others with facial hair intimidating anyways. Also, it shows you take care of yourself and stay clean. I would always go with No if you have to think whether or not it would be a good idea (not with only facial hair but in general). Remember you only have one interview to show you're worthy.
Click to expand...

I barley grow facial hair, but thats because im half asian.
 
Lopez said:
I have pharm interviews in Chicago & Philly in Dec and I know its going to be pretty cold. What do I do about a suit? should i wear slacks, turle neck and a peacoat? I dont want to be too cold on the tours and dont want to be hot during the interview.

Im a Florida girl and am really confused about what to wear. please help.
Click to expand...

This might be too late for you,

Check out Brooks Brothers online - pick out any fine wool sweater to wear under your suit. They're not so thick that your suit won't fit comfortably and it will keep you just warm enough in the freezing north without making you sweat. Their no-press cotton dress shirts work well in cold weather, too. Plus they come in great colors. Nothing from that store will make you look like you're in high school. this will run you about $75 up to $125, but you'll have it for years.

And any guy that isn't sure about his suit - spend some time a good men's wear retailer with a professional who knows how to fit a suit. They'll be glad to help a beginner and will make you look great no matter what. Plus they always have something on sale.
 
Summitguy98 said:
what about facial hair? I'm not talking full beard or anything, just a neatly trimmed goat.
Click to expand...

Just shave, you can't go wrong with a nicely shaven face.




When it comes to attire I would say a white shirt and a two tone tie. Wild colored shirts are for middle school dances, not pharmacy interviews.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

thelittleroll
Interview
Replies
2
Views
986
Pharmacist4321
P
C
How to prepare for pharmacy school interview in 2ish weeks when the only reason I got an interview is due to being a PA reject?
2
Replies
59
Views
10K
mentos
mentos
P
Interview attire
Replies
6
Views
2K
Jenna1025
J
M
Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy interview questions?
Replies
1
Views
4K
Dred Pirate
Dred Pirate
L
Pharmacy interview?
Replies
6
Views
4K
Xenophylia
Xenophylia