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Interview Suit
- Thread starter IowaDoc07
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Try going to a department store outlet, or other discount place. Although the sizes available may be spotty, if you're lucky you'll pay a fraction of the price.
My suit was $300 and change and shoes were $100, but I know it can be done cheaper without a huge sacrifice in appearance. I think of it as an investment, too, since I will (hopefully) be using it for residency interviews, etc down the line.
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+1 on all the prices
Suit: $300
Shoes: $120
Belt: $40
Tie: $30
Shirt: $80, $100, and $130 (I picked up three, so I could go through weeks with three interviews without having to gamble on the dry cleaner)
Tailoring: $40 (If I recall correctly)
So, I dropped about $840, but I love my suit. 🙂 I have a couple more classic 3 button suits, but I figured it would be worth it to get with the current trends and get a 2 button suit.
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This point can't be emphasized enough!
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Meh, any discount suit store (Men's Warehouse, Jos A Banks, etc.) should have a decent set of suits and pants sub $250. Black or grey seems to be the most common, but I recommend not dressing for a funeral, and standing out a little. I go with pinstripes and a dark grey suit, as most people seem to wear solids. You don't need to spend a lot of money, just look professional. If I had more gall, I'd wear my favorite jacket, which I bought at a thrift store. Quite a find, as it's a nice brand and my tailor did wonders on it.
I don't think suit fashion is anywhere near as important in medicine as it is in other professions, but at least in business, good shoes are a must, and more important than the suit.
Do get a suit ASAP though as a lot of the discount stores need to send out for it in the warehouse, and you should add a week for tailoring. It might take 3 weeks for your suit to be ready to go once you've bought it.
I don't think suit fashion is anywhere near as important in medicine as it is in other professions, but at least in business, good shoes are a must, and more important than the suit.
Do get a suit ASAP though as a lot of the discount stores need to send out for it in the warehouse, and you should add a week for tailoring. It might take 3 weeks for your suit to be ready to go once you've bought it.
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I see the interviewees every Friday at LECOM, and the norm this years seems to be a black or dark grey suit (for both men and women.) Lots of white shirts and fairly calm ties, but I have seen some louder shirt/tie combinations as well. Check your local Goodwill and Salvation Army for suits. If you can find one you like, that fits, and that is in good shape, a tailor can make it fit you perfectly, and you'll save a ton of money in the process (I interviewed in a dark grey Goodwill suit that was tailored, and nobody could tell the difference.)
Basically, here's how you go about finding a suit.
1) Find a suit. Department store, store in the mall, Men's Wearhouse, whatever. They all have different styles, so keep in mind what you want. Just realize that the more modern, slimmer styles you see in more expensive clothing stores are more expensive.
2) Make sure the shoulders fit, and I guess, that the coat is the right length for you (short, med, tall). Turn around and make sure there aren't any weird wrinkles. Make sure the waist on the pants fit, obviously. The leg length can be shortened by a tailor.
3) Take it to a tailor. So long as the shoulders fit and the overall length is good, they can do things like waist suppression and shorten sleeve length readily.
Note that despite what people say, this isn't necessary (although it might make a slightly better impression??). I didn't really have the cash to get another suit/tailoring and went to all of my interviews wearing a black suit that was 1 size too big and not tailored (+ ludicrously cheap off-white shirt, blue tie). After all, I'm a student, not a model (there's a ridiculously long thread about this in the PreAllo forum which involves one guy sending everybody into hysteria as he talks about buying dress clothing far out of the reach of the average pre-med. Good for him that he's so knowledgeable about clothing, but I don't think it matters that much). Anyway, I got into medical school, frumpy suit and all.
I guess I'll buy a proper suit when interviews for residency come up.
1) Find a suit. Department store, store in the mall, Men's Wearhouse, whatever. They all have different styles, so keep in mind what you want. Just realize that the more modern, slimmer styles you see in more expensive clothing stores are more expensive.
2) Make sure the shoulders fit, and I guess, that the coat is the right length for you (short, med, tall). Turn around and make sure there aren't any weird wrinkles. Make sure the waist on the pants fit, obviously. The leg length can be shortened by a tailor.
3) Take it to a tailor. So long as the shoulders fit and the overall length is good, they can do things like waist suppression and shorten sleeve length readily.
Note that despite what people say, this isn't necessary (although it might make a slightly better impression??). I didn't really have the cash to get another suit/tailoring and went to all of my interviews wearing a black suit that was 1 size too big and not tailored (+ ludicrously cheap off-white shirt, blue tie). After all, I'm a student, not a model (there's a ridiculously long thread about this in the PreAllo forum which involves one guy sending everybody into hysteria as he talks about buying dress clothing far out of the reach of the average pre-med. Good for him that he's so knowledgeable about clothing, but I don't think it matters that much). Anyway, I got into medical school, frumpy suit and all.
I guess I'll buy a proper suit when interviews for residency come up.
I just can't believe how absurd this whole issue is.
I understand you need to "play the game", but why schools are so hung up on what you wear to an interview is beyond me.
On another note, what is the consensus regarding the style of suit.
I have a very nice, but slim fitting and more "modern" tailored Armani suit.
Would this be ok to wear or is it a no no and I should choose something more conservative?
I understand you need to "play the game", but why schools are so hung up on what you wear to an interview is beyond me.
On another note, what is the consensus regarding the style of suit.
I have a very nice, but slim fitting and more "modern" tailored Armani suit.
Would this be ok to wear or is it a no no and I should choose something more conservative?
If its looks good on you and professional then sure. If you look like you should be performing with Interpol or Razorlight, then probably not. I have a slimmer cut suit with side vents, and its perfectly fine, but its not what one would call "slim" where it looks like you should be in an indie band. I think if its properly tailored to you and has a classic look that harkens back to an era when men knew how to dress well and professionally, and not just look like NBA coaches/players or dressed for a funeral, then you're fine.
Advice for anyone would definitely be to stick to grey, charcoal, or navy. Black is for parties and funerals.
