Interview fashion advice

[drgirlnyu]

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I noticed there was something for the guys regarding dark suits, nice colored shirts and/or power ties...

How about for the ladies? Pants vs. skirt suits, color etc.

Personally, I had a navy blue suit for med school interviews that made me feel like I should have been handing out peanuts for an airline rather than trying to convince a committee I have what it takes to get into their medical school (no offense to flight attendants of the world). I am also loathe to wear black suits as I feel like I'm going to a funeral, no matter what color blouse I wear underneath. I was actually thinking of going for something like cream or winter-white... with the season that interviews will be taking place, I think it would be nice. Anyone think it would be too much?

 

[GeneGoddess]

There was a thread earlier that talked about pants versus skirts. When I interviewed for medical school, I had a red suit and a black suit (tops, both skirts were black). I LOVE that red suit and I feel great in it. I plan to wear it again for residency interview. In a few places, I may wear a newer black suit that I bought (but don't like as much). It's more of an emergency back-up suit. I say wear something that you feel confident in.

 

[kas23]

I really don't mean any offense to you in particular, but I think all of this "what should I wear" stuff is getting a bit much. Everyone has been on an interview before, haven't we? As long as you wear something "reasonable," you are fine. Seriously, if you stick with something "reasonable" you are not going to get rejected or accepted based on you fashion attire. And no matter how well you dress, you will not get accepted due to this. Just look professional.

In regards to what women should wear, dressing slightly above what you do on the wards currently (which is far from flattering for most women - some girls wear t-shirts we I go to school, "as long as it with nice pants" is usually the excuse) should be fine. Therefore, people should wear whatever they are comfortable wearing to an interview. It's really that simple.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Do a search, you will find a lengthy thread on this matter. The gist of the topic was that dark colored suits are the norm, but that as long as it was professional, more unusual colors (ie, red - which I wore; brown, etc.) were fine. Most female students emphasized wearing lower heels or flats and that while skirts were common, pant suits were becoming more and more frequently seen - even in more traditionally dressed fields like surgery. Frankly, I wished I'd worn a pants suit when I interviewed (it will be in my closet by fellowship interview time).

 

[bigtoe]

IMHO, a cream or white suit is lovely but would not be great for the interview process. You're going to wear this suit to death, drink coffee, tea, have lunch and pack it up probably 12 or more times in 6 weeks. In the event that something spills on it, you sit on something, you get a smudge from the dirty cab, you could get totally stressed out trying to get it clean before the next interview. If you want to do something different, which is totally understandable, I'd recommend something a bit darker and better at hiding stains...ie camel, softish green, mocha, red, etc.

Also, pants with boots are the way to go...they're warm and comfortable to walk in. The other bonus is you don't have to match nylons or worry about runs.

That's just my two cents.

🙂

 

[phillybabe]

Kimberly, I have this nice red suit (red top black pants) but just worried that it might give a weird impression especially for a intellectual field like radiology. How do you think your red suit was received?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Kimberly, I have this nice red suit (red top black pants) but just worried that it might give a weird impression especially for a intellectual field like radiology. How do you think your red suit was received?

Well, I think people remembered me - after all, I was the ONLY one not wearing a dark blue or black suit! As long as its not a cherry red, its probably appropriate (better to go with a darker red, cranberry type of color).

 

[GeneGoddess]

Well, I think people remembered me - after all, I was the ONLY one not wearing a dark blue or black suit! As long as its not a cherry red, its probably appropriate (better to go with a darker red, cranberry type of color).

Same thing here. My fav suit was a red top (dark cranberry) with a black skirt. Wore it to most of my med school interviews and it was fine. I'll probably were it to most of my residency interviews.

 

[Bella78]

Just to let you know, I went on my first interview yesterday (surgery), and I was surprisingly the ONLY female who wore a skirt-suit. The 4 other women were in black pantsuits.... may be a new trend of pantsuits being acceptable, even in the more "traditional" specialties (i.e. surgery).

Also, I read in Iserson's that a woman should not bring a handbag, rather use an attache case/briefcase... looks more professional. What are your thoughts on this? What have people brought with them on their interviews??

 

[NERDY]

Wear clothes that fit the weather/season. If you know you have a lot of winter interviews in the North, then a pant suit will help you stay warm. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Disciple]

A nice long black wool coat with matching leather gloves and a scarf is good for guys.

Maybe overkill, but if there's any time to look conservative and professional, this would be it.

 

[Disciple]

Just to let you know, I went on my first interview yesterday (surgery), and I was surprisingly the ONLY female who wore a skirt-suit. The 4 other women were in black pantsuits.... may be a new trend of pantsuits being acceptable, even in the more "traditional" specialties (i.e. surgery).

Also, I read in Iserson's that a woman should not bring a handbag, rather use an attache case/briefcase... looks more professional. What are your thoughts on this? What have people brought with them on their interviews??

Use the attache, it will give you someplace to keep your notes and all the damn papers, pamphlets and folders you'll be given.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Just to let you know, I went on my first interview yesterday (surgery), and I was surprisingly the ONLY female who wore a skirt-suit. The 4 other women were in black pantsuits.... may be a new trend of pantsuits being acceptable, even in the more "traditional" specialties (i.e. surgery).

Also, I read in Iserson's that a woman should not bring a handbag, rather use an attache case/briefcase... looks more professional. What are your thoughts on this? What have people brought with them on their interviews??

Use a briefcase or a nice leather folder. You will be given papers and pamphlets and its a nicer way to keep them rather than folding them up in your purse. Most offices will have places to keep your coat, with keys, etc in them rather than lugging them around.

 

[la gringa]

i have a medium gray skirt suit and a darker gray pinstripe pant suit... planning to wear the pants in the colder weather places and the skirt in the warmer ones.

for the briefcase thing - i asked some female friends and they said most women had a leather folder. briefcase is a lot harder to travel with, i'd think - would get banged up on planes and huge in your luggage.

i have a question - ok to wear a silk shell vs a blouse?

 

[drgirl]

I wore pants to my first interview and was still cold--those grand rounds rooms are freezing!
I think shells are perfectly fine to wear--thats what i have. It's harder to find a blouse with a collar that complements your suit. shells are easier to iron too...