Interview Attire

[kirschwasser37]

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I was just wondering what "attitude" anesthesiology departments had toward interview attire. Are they the serious, black suit only type, or would a flash of color get you noticed (in a positive way)? Also, for females, should you stick to pants or is a skirt ok? Stilettos seen as frivolous or as a (positive) personal expression? Just trying to feel this out before I go suit shopping. Thanks in advance!

 

[PMPMD]

Keep it conservative. You don't want to stand out for what you're wearing.

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

I don't think anesthesiology departments are much (or any) different than any other specialties when it comes to interview dress for med students. Every guy I ran into was in a dark suit, and all women were in dark suits, dresses, etc. Nothing flashy or too out there.

I was just wondering what "attitude" anesthesiology departments had toward interview attire. Are they the serious, black suit only type, or would a flash of color get you noticed (in a positive way)? Also, for females, should you stick to pants or is a skirt ok? Stilettos seen as frivolous or as a (positive) personal expression? Just trying to feel this out before I go suit shopping. Thanks in advance!

 

[geogil]

There is no point in pushing the envelope with your appearance. You don't want to be "the guy in hush puppies, a bolo tie, and seersucker suit", nor do you want to push it for female attire. This is a job interview, behave and dress accordingly. Be conservative and well kempt. Is your "splash of color" a red tie? or is it a chartreuse shirt and cowboy boots?

 

[nycitygas]

There is no point in pushing the envelope with your appearance. You don't want to be "the guy in hush puppies, a bolo tie, and seersucker suit", nor do you want to push it for female attire. This is a job interview, behave and dress accordingly. Be conservative and well kempt. Is your "splash of color" a red tie? or is it a chartreuse shirt and cowboy boots?

My only advice is to avoid any Jersey shore type haircuts. I went on an interview in new jersey and saw a guy with a blowout fade and it was a bit much.

It looked like this

 

[geogil]

Interview season is not the time for "personal expression" through your attire. You want to project the image of someone who is going to represent the hospital well, the department, and specialty as professionally as possible. You may not like wearing suits, ties, polishing your shoes, tucking your shirt, shaving, wearing heels, skirts/dresses etc.. Suck it up, dress like you want the job, and save your sartorial expressions of individuality for later. It's only for 10 hours, tops, maybe even as little as 3. You can wear a tie presentably for that long.

 

[periopdoc]

Scrubs

- pod

 

[jennyboo]

I was just wondering what "attitude" anesthesiology departments had toward interview attire. Are they the serious, black suit only type, or would a flash of color get you noticed (in a positive way)? Also, for females, should you stick to pants or is a skirt ok? Stilettos seen as frivolous or as a (positive) personal expression? Just trying to feel this out before I go suit shopping. Thanks in advance!

Ladies, go to Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J Crew, etc and shell out a couple hundred bucks on a suit you feel good in. Color doesn't matter (much) as long as it looks good on you and isn't a loud color (bright red, bright blue, etc), but avoid loud patterns (e.g. houndstooth, checkers, plaids). A flash of color on a shirt that goes underneath the jacket would be perfectly fine. If the shirt is sleeveless, do not remove your jacket during the interview.

Skirt vs trousers doesn't matter too much, I see applicants in both. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

Shoes should probably be closed-toed. Heel height is entirely up to you. (Pants allow a little more freedom in shoe choices -- underneath pants, you can wear ankle boots, subtle clogs, flats or near-flats depending on your preference.)

Spend some money to have the suit tailored to fit you. You'll feel better if you don't have an ill-fitting suit.

 

[Dejavu]

Interview season is not the time for "personal expression" through your attire. You want to project the image of someone who is going to represent the hospital well, the department, and specialty as professionally as possible. You may not like wearing suits, ties, polishing your shoes, tucking your shirt, shaving, wearing heels, skirts/dresses etc.. Suck it up, dress like you want the job, and save your sartorial expressions of individuality for later. It's only for 10 hours, tops, maybe even as little as 3. You can wear a tie presentably for that long.

"Sartorial"---Wonderful use of the English language. Kudos.

 

[cchoukal]

Interview season is not the time for "personal expression" through your attire. You want to project the image of someone who is going to represent the hospital well, the department, and specialty as professionally as possible. You may not like wearing suits, ties, polishing your shoes, tucking your shirt, shaving, wearing heels, skirts/dresses etc.. Suck it up, dress like you want the job, and save your sartorial expressions of individuality for later. It's only for 10 hours, tops, maybe even as little as 3. You can wear a tie presentably for that long.

+1 million.

Gil's points cannot be overemphasized. Every year on here, someone always asks the question that can be paraphrased as "how much can I get away with on the interview day," be it with regard to dress, tatoos, breast-feeding your baby at the pre-interview dinner, or whatever, and the answer is always the same:

Fall in.

Sure, maybe some interviewer will particularly like all the metal in your face, thereby increasing your chances of a match, but if you're asking us whether you can get away with it, you already sorta know, deep down inside, that it's more likely to hurt you.

So, as others have said, skip the piercings, waiting on the tear-drop tatoo, and save to zoot suit and fedora for when we perfect time travel back to the '90s. J Crew and Banana have decent suits for under $500 (and are always having sales). Keep it simple in either navy or grey, and ask for some help with the shirt and tie.

Good luck!

 

[Gern Blansten]

"Sartorial"---Wonderful use of the English language. Kudos.

Weird, I was thinking the same thing. I love that word and have tried to work it into conversations. Very difficult.

 

[doctor712]

Don't forget "tonsorial". It's my favorite big brother to sartorial.

As in, "That sartorial chap is also quite well-coiffed, and tonsorial."

Always happy to help. 😀

D712

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

Oh brother!

"Coiffed" sounds somehow...dirty.

Don't forget "tonsorial". It's my favorite big brother to sartorial.

As in, "That sartorial chap is also quite well-coiffed, and tonsorial."

Always happy to help. 😀

D712

 

[amyl]

you want to come across as smart, sophisticated, intelligent... non-traditional suits and stilleto heels and readily apparent piercings do not help paint this image. you don't have to wear flats but some nice high heel shoes short of 5 inch spikes are fine. as a woman practicing medicine you will find that its a fine line sometimes between looking good and not being taken seriously. better to establish you are a fabulous resident and doctor and then break out the stilletos...

 

[Gern Blansten]

Don't forget "tonsorial". It's my favorite big brother to sartorial.

As in, "That sartorial chap is also quite well-coiffed, and tonsorial."

Always happy to help. 😀

D712

Very nice.
So, to keep the thread on track, I think the consensus is that applicants should demonstrate sartorial splendor, be well-coiffed and exquisitely tonsorial.

 

[Narcotized]

Do you want to be like every other bland meatball in a dark suit muttering the following in a trance-like state: " I... like... physiology... and pharmacology........ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz." Absolutely not. Be bold; be daring; be fresh!! Take the interview by storm. Have pizazz. Instead of a simple yes, use a lil style such as; "Fo shizzle dizzle, Pops." Dress in the following and look like you own the joint; like YOU are the man calling the shots, not them.

 

[Lightwand]

Also (and this is just my opinion, others may disagree), don't wear jeans to the dinner the evening before the interview.

It may be billed as a casual get-together with residents, and it usually is fairly laid back, but you don't want to appear overly casual. The residents will notice and not necessarily in a good way.

You don't need to wear a suit, but khakis and a sweater are a safe bet.

As far as the interview day goes, I agree with everyone else. Stick to something safe and save the stilettos for the weekend.

And while we're at it, put your damn cell phone away during the interview day. Unless you're dealing with travel issues or some sort of family emergency, you don't need to text, check your e-mail, facebook or twitter. Especially not at lunch when the residents are there to answer your questions. I couldn't believe how many times I saw this the past year. Just don't do it!

 

[kirschwasser37]

Thanks for all the advice. I wasn't planning on wearing anything crazy (no metal, tattoos, or 5 inch stripper heels FYI). Just wanted a few tips on what was best, not what I could get away with. I find as a female it's a bit harder to find the right look to be professional yet not frumpy. 😛

 

[beepbloop]

What about a black suit? Would I look too much like a funeral-goer? I always hear people say grey or navy suit, but I happen to think that a black suit looks sharp.

Would that stand out (in a bad way) amongst the sea of grey and blue?

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Why do you guys act like you've never been to an interview before?

What did you guys do for med school interviews? Rinse and repeat.....👍

 

[geogil]

What about a black suit? Would I look too much like a funeral-goer? I always hear people say grey or navy suit, but I happen to think that a black suit looks sharp.

Would that stand out (in a bad way) amongst the sea of grey and blue?

Most of the grey that I saw on the interview trail (myself included) was a charcoal grey, or grey with thin, unobtrusive stripes. There were a few tan and light grey suits, but mostly they were dark enough to look black from a distance.

I would say black is fine. I don't personally care for how it looks, due to the funerary connotations you mentioned, but if you already have a well-fitting black suit, then wear it. As long as you're not showing up in a white linen suit with a string tie, you should be ok. Go to Macy's or Nordstrom and try them on and see how you look.

Imagine you're going to a board meeting at a Fortune 500 company, would what you're planning to wear be out of place there?

While I'm indulging myself:
Ties: please, please, please, snug your tie all the way up. That's how it's supposed to be tied. The half-undone look just looks sloppy. "It's too tight!" i hear you cry. Then learn how to tie it snugly, but not so tight as to compromise your airway. And wear a shirt that fits, that will help more than your tie will with regards to neck comfort. The top button is supposed to be fastened when you wear a tie, so buy your shirts accordingly.

I realize there are differences of opinion in men's fashion, and that a more "relaxed" look is currently popular. Bear in mind, however, that the people judging your appearance (and yes, they are) may not be as attuned to those trends and may see "relaxed" as "sloppy".

Many business people wear a suit every day of their professional lives, we are fortunate in anesthesia that such days are rare. You can tolerate a suit for a few days a month on the interview trail. Plus, you can always travel in your jeans and t-shirt.

 

[geogil]

Do you want to be like every other bland meatball in a dark suit muttering the following in a trance-like state: " I... like... physiology... and pharmacology........ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz." Absolutely not. Be bold; be daring; be fresh!! Take the interview by storm. Have pizazz. Instead of a simple yes, use a lil style such as; "Fo shizzle dizzle, Pops." Dress in the following and look like you own the joint; like YOU are the man calling the shots, not them.

Forgive my pop-culture ignorance if this is someone famous, but I'm having a hard time even determining the gender of that person.

 

[huynhc]

Forgive my pop-culture ignorance if this is someone famous, but I'm having a hard time even determining the gender of that person.

The More you Know....

 

[SouthSideSteve]

Forgive my pop-culture ignorance if this is someone famous, but I'm having a hard time even determining the gender of that person.

I dont fault you for not knowing the gender, but i DO fault you for not knowing who Prince is.

 

[Czeckers]

is a suit a requirement for men? what about navy blue sport coat with gray slacks (NOT khakis) and a conservative white shirt and tie?

I personally feel like a businessman when I am wearing a suit, like I should be on wallstreet screaming SELL SELL SELL!! Anything wrong with the sport coat angle? I like it for its simplicity and humility.

 

[asdfjkl1]

is a suit a requirement for men? what about navy blue sport coat with gray slacks (NOT khakis) and a conservative white shirt and tie?

I personally feel like a businessman when I am wearing a suit, like I should be on wallstreet screaming SELL SELL SELL!! Anything wrong with the sport coat angle? I like it for its simplicity and humility.

Dont do that

 

[cchoukal]

is a suit a requirement for men? what about navy blue sport coat with gray slacks (NOT khakis) and a conservative white shirt and tie?

I personally feel like a businessman when I am wearing a suit, like I should be on wallstreet screaming SELL SELL SELL!! Anything wrong with the sport coat angle? I like it for its simplicity and humility.

Look, you can probably get away with a lot of things. There's no "requirement," but why would you put yourself at a disadvantage? Suits make you feel like a businessman? Get a suit that's not cut like a businessman's suit. My opinion is that your job is not to see what you can get away with here, but rather to fall in. Present your best professional self. Get a suit, shine your shoes, cut your hair, and wait on the face tatts until after Match Day.

 

[Czeckers]

Look, you can probably get away with a lot of things. There's no "requirement," but why would you put yourself at a disadvantage? Suits make you feel like a businessman? Get a suit that's not cut like a businessman's suit. My opinion is that your job is not to see what you can get away with here, but rather to fall in. Present your best professional self. Get a suit, shine your shoes, cut your hair, and wait on the face tatts until after Match Day.

with all due respect, im not talking about having scuffed shoes, an ear piercing, shaggy hair, a neck tattoo and a cigarette in my ear...Im talking about dressing in something nice but not a formal suit. you are telling me that, under all residency interview circumstances, the following look (brooks brothers) is not good enough or formal enough? if thats what you're saying, thats fine, but i just want to get this straight.

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCat...NAVY&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=#null

 

[Arch Guillotti]

don't be "that guy". Wear a suit.

 

[epidural man]

is a suit a requirement for men? what about navy blue sport coat with gray slacks (NOT khakis) and a conservative white shirt and tie?

I personally feel like a businessman when I am wearing a suit, like I should be on wallstreet screaming SELL SELL SELL!! Anything wrong with the sport coat angle? I like it for its simplicity and humility.

Couldn't agree more. Spend some good money on a really nice dark sports coat, and expensive slacks.

You, in your cashmere suit coat, will look nicer, and just as professional as other residents in their black suit.

I learned this on my interview trail as a med student. The only Idaho grad ever to get in to Yale med school (my classmate) was told by his orthopedic surgeon buds to NOT buy a suite for his interviews. He listened, and looked GREAT as we interviewed at a few places together. I looked just like everyone else in my nice dark blue suite. He stood out, but look very classy and well dressed. I think the fact that he looked a little different - but extremely nice, helped him.

After that day, I bagged the suit and went and spent some good money on a phenomenally looking sports coat and slacks and shoes. I will never buy or wear a suit again. In my mind, you can look so much more classy in an expensive sports coat.

But don't take my word for it, go look around at the higher ups in the hospital. What do they wear? What do CEO's mosty wear?

As you can see by other responses, this thought is clearly not popular. But my thought is - you want to stand out. You want people to remember you somehow. And I guaran-damn-tee, no one is going to think of you negatively because you didn't look exactly like everyone else - as long as you look sharp.

 

[Czeckers]

Couldn't agree more. Spend some good money on a really nice dark sports coat, and expensive slacks.

You, in your cashmere suit coat, will look nicer, and just as professional as other residents in their black suit.

I learned this on my interview trail as a med student. The only Idaho grad ever to get in to Yale med school (my classmate) was told by his orthopedic surgeon buds to NOT buy a suite for his interviews. He listened, and looked GREAT as we interviewed at a few places together. I looked just like everyone else in my nice dark blue suite. He stood out, but look very classy and well dressed. I think the fact that he looked a little different - but extremely nice, helped him.

After that day, I bagged the suit and went and spent some good money on a phenomenally looking sports coat and slacks and shoes. I will never buy or wear a suit again. In my mind, you can look so much more classy in an expensive sports coat.

But don't take my word for it, go look around at the higher ups in the hospital. What do they wear? What do CEO's mosty wear?

As you can see by other responses, this thought is clearly not popular. But my thought is - you want to stand out. You want people to remember you somehow. And I guaran-damn-tee, no one is going to think of you negatively because you didn't look exactly like everyone else - as long as you look sharp.

That (bolded) is exactly what I see and how I think.

I wore the nice sport coat and slacks look to medical school interviews (I was the only one from what i saw), that turned out just fine.

Just out of curiosity (got confused by the story), your friend dressed like this to get into medical school at yale or residency at yale? i got confused on the timeline.

 

[epidural man]

That (bolded) is exactly what I see and how I think.

I wore the nice sport coat and slacks look to medical school interviews (I was the only one from what i saw), that turned out just fine.

Just out of curiosity (got confused by the story), your friend dressed like this to get into medical school at yale or residency at yale? i got confused on the timeline.

Medical school interviews

 

[lord_jeebus]

I have a friend who was accepted by every USNews Top 10 medical school wearing a sport coat and khakis. He did this because he knew he was one of the best applicants, and he couldn't afford a suit.

You would probably be ok in a nice sport coat and slacks, but what do you stand to gain? If you don't own a suit by now, it's a worthwhile investment.

 

[jwk]

That (bolded) is exactly what I see and how I think.

I wore the nice sport coat and slacks look to medical school interviews (I was the only one from what i saw), that turned out just fine.

Just out of curiosity (got confused by the story), your friend dressed like this to get into medical school at yale or residency at yale? i got confused on the timeline.

It's just like that old saying - you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Why are you even debating this? You have yet to find anyone who says that you should wear anything less than a dark suit. Do you really think everyone else is wrong and you're right? We hire people that will fit into our group, not stick out. It's that simple.

Hell, I wear shorts and polo shirt going in to work in the morning, sometimes just gym shorts and T-Shirt if I'm coming in on call. But the first thing I do is put on scrubs - I would never see patients dressed like that. You'll NEVER be criticized or critiqued for over-dressing for an interview, but under-dressing will be noted as a sign that you don't take it seriously.

Of course nobody that turns you down for a job will ever tell you why. You'll just have to wonder.

 

[Czeckers]

It's just like that old saying - you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Why are you even debating this? You have yet to find anyone who says that you should wear anything less than a dark suit. Do you really think everyone else is wrong and you're right? We hire people that will fit into our group, not stick out. It's that simple.

Hell, I wear shorts and polo shirt going in to work in the morning, sometimes just gym shorts and T-Shirt if I'm coming in on call. But the first thing I do is put on scrubs - I would never see patients dressed like that. You'll NEVER be criticized or critiqued for over-dressing for an interview, but under-dressing will be noted as a sign that you don't take it seriously.

Of course nobody that turns you down for a job will ever tell you why. You'll just have to wonder.

Except for the guy that "couldn't agree more", with me....There's no "debate" here, it was just a question...no harm no foul.

 

[TenaciousGirl]

I can't really tell the difference between a sport coat look vs. a suit .... especially if the sport coat is dark. If it's houndstooth or something, then yeah, but other than that I'm pretty clueless. Maybe this is because I'm a woman, but I feel like guys have it pretty easy when it comes to the professional uniform. I find it a lot harder to figure out makeup/hairstyle/jewelry selection for clinical interviews. I have come up with my own type of "uniform" for interviewing but it seems like everyone has a slightly different opinion when it comes to how ladies should present themselves for such an occasion.

 

[inmyslumber]

with all due respect, im not talking about having scuffed shoes, an ear piercing, shaggy hair, a neck tattoo and a cigarette in my ear...Im talking about dressing in something nice but not a formal suit. you are telling me that, under all residency interview circumstances, the following look (brooks brothers) is not good enough or formal enough? if thats what you're saying, thats fine, but i just want to get this straight.

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCat...NAVY&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=#null

This Brooks Brothers outfit looks great...just don't wear it to the interview.

You will end up doing what you want to do but my suggestion is dark suit - either black or charcoal gray.

 

[cchoukal]

You would probably be ok in a nice sport coat and slacks, but what do you stand to gain? If you don't own a suit by now, it's a worthwhile investment.

Agree. That is to say, you can always concoct a scenario where the alternative outfit isn't a detriment (maybe one of your 50 interviewers happens to like grey slacks), but it's pretty hard to envision a scenario where it's an advantage over the standard. It only has the potential to hurt you.

And to the OP, yes, the outfit looks great, but it just isn't appropriate for an interview. Others have said you want to stand out and be different, but I disagree with this. Let your interview and application speak for you. Yes, you need to be comfortable, and no, you don't want to look like an undertaker or a pimp (a black suit or double-breasted coat for an interview is just as inappropriate as a blazer and slacks).

Get a nice, quiet, charcoal suit in a good modern (but not too modern) cut, that fits you well.

The J. Crew Aldrige is a good choice. The Ludlow is probably trendier, but will probably not age as well.

 

[jetproppilot]

Don't forget "tonsorial". It's my favorite big brother to sartorial.

As in, "That sartorial chap is also quite well-coiffed, and tonsorial."

Always happy to help. 😀

D712

Dude you write Hollywood scripts for a living. Not fair!!😀

 

[sevoflurane]

Dude you write Hollywood scripts for a living. Not fair!!😀

If it wasn't for this thread, I wouldn't even know what language that sentence was written in....

😀

 

[epidural man]

Agree. That is to say, you can always concoct a scenario where the alternative outfit isn't a detriment (maybe one of your 50 interviewers happens to like grey slacks), but it's pretty hard to envision a scenario where it's an advantage over the standard. It only has the potential to hurt you.

And to the OP, yes, the outfit looks great, but it just isn't appropriate for an interview. Others have said you want to stand out and be different, but I disagree with this. Let your interview and application speak for you. Yes, you need to be comfortable, and no, you don't want to look like an undertaker or a pimp (a black suit or double-breasted coat for an interview is just as inappropriate as a blazer and slacks).

Get a nice, quiet, charcoal suit in a good modern (but not too modern) cut, that fits you well.

The J. Crew Aldrige is a good choice. The Ludlow is probably trendier, but will probably not age as well.

One more thing to say on the subject..

Agree it's not an argument, just voicing opinions.

I will change what I said a little - probably not a good idea to STAND OUT, but I do think it is a good idea to look BETTER than everyone else - and not look EXACTLY like everyone else. I still think you should look like you just jumped out of your Lexus in your dark blue Black Label kashmere jacket and dark non-pleated pants. By the way, a really nice over jacket/sports coat is more expensive than a whole suit. That's probably because they are nicer - more classy, but that's just a guess. Also, consider the fact that you will have this expensive coat for a long time for other interviews, as well as all the other functions that you want to look absolutely daper. And it is more versatile as far as different pants, shoes, shirts, ties, etc.

Finally, there is a VERY unlikely chance that someone won't rank you, or pick you for the job, because you look like a million bucks, but don't look like Venkataratnam Narasimha in his black men's warehouse suit. If they think twice about that, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with the place, and the person.

Again, I know this is not popular - and such a rare thing to not suggest a suit. But guys (I know OP was a female), it's something to consider. Look around at very nicely dressed people - see what they wear.

I direct you to a recently posted string by JPP about medical people
Here is his quote...

"How we, medical studs, think, stereotypically is

STERILE.

I encourage you MD savants out there to experience life sometimes

OUTSIDE OF YOUR SAFETY ZONE.

"

 

[jetproppilot]

I direct you to a recently posted string by JPP about medical people
Here is his quote...

"How we, medical studs, think, stereotypically is

STERILE.

I encourage you MD savants out there to experience life sometimes

OUTSIDE OF YOUR SAFETY ZONE.

"

I wish I could endorse this kind of thinking to my med student future colleagues traveling to medical centers afar in search of a residency position, hoping to make some kinda impression to finalize their

ALREADY STRONG CV.

Truth is,

I can't.

There exists still alotta

STERILE

people in places of power

at residencies across the nation.

Not worth it.

Gotta problem with that??? (btw I understand)

Use the search function on this forum for a thread I wrote called

Bow Your Head.

It'll help you.

I still reread it sometimes.

We all need

reminders.

 

[inmyslumber]

For the ladies out there...If you are considering wearing a skirt, realize that some programs have a tour of the hospital where you put on a "bunny suit." That may be difficult (or hilarious) if you are not wearing slacks.