Interviewing logistics question for women

[Little Bay]

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I was wondering how other women carry important things to an interview like keys and money.
Do you bring a purse? Do you stick your keys/money in the folder you bring?

Also, for those flying to an interview:
Any thoughts on what to do with your suitcase? Since the hotel checkout time is noon or so, do you leave it at the front desk or bring it to the interview?

 

[GmailQueen]

I was wondering how other women carry important things to an interview like keys and money.
Do you bring a purse? Do you stick your keys/money in the folder you bring?

Also, for those flying to an interview:
Any thoughts on what to do with your suitcase? Since the hotel checkout time is noon or so, do you leave it at the front desk or bring it to the interview?

I have a black tote that I used for med school interviews and plan on taking to my residency interviews. It's good if I want to carry paper, pens, my wallet, extra pantyhose, hairspray, hairbrush, etc. It's not likely that I'll need all of that, but I like to have it in case.

I don't know what I'm going to do with my luggage. I guess maybe you should try emailing the program coordinator ahead of time and finding out if they have a place to store it. I'm not so much a fan of having to take a cab back to the hotel and then take a cab to the airport...

 

[Psychelle]

I was told not to bring a purse to interviews (why? I don't know, but I'll be toting one of those leather folder things), so I guess I'll stick my stuff in there.

As far as my suitcase I like to leave my stuff with the hotel's front desk and not lug it around.

I was wondering about coats/outerwear. Do you bring them with you? I would hate to get stuck on a tour with outdoor portions with no coat.

And while we're on woman stuff, thoughts on makeup? I'm going with simple mascara and lip gloss, was thinking about some neutral eye shadow but probably not. The less I can mess up early in the morning the better.

 

[Psychelle]

Ooh, that's a good point Gmail. I was thinking about the places I'm staying that are pretty much on the hospital's campus.

 

[Little Bay]

Thanks, ladies.
I think I will go with one of the leather folder things for now and then see what other women do.
As for makeup, I think neutral is good (I want to be remembered for how great a resident I will be, not for my bright red lipstick!)
I'm for neutral eyeshadow. Just don't rub your eyes.

 

[Little Bay]

As for the coat, I'm going to try going without.
I'm from the south and I'm not used to all this freezing cold, giant coat stuff!
We'll see how that goes...

 

[GmailQueen]

As for the coat, I'm going to try going without.
I'm from the south and I'm not used to all this freezing cold, giant coat stuff!
We'll see how that goes...

I'm mostly going to interview in the northeast so I'll definitely be wearing a coat. My guess is that if you showed up anywhere in the northeast or midwest without a coat in Nov-Jan they would look at you like you belong locked on the psych ward. It gets cooold. For the south or west coast, I have no idea. I'm guessing they'll all have closets for coats though.

 

[borrelia]

Hi,

I was wondering the same. I read online that they do not recommend that you carry a purse (UVA website somewhere) but then a Psych attending told me it was perfectly acceptable.

I already had my first interview and among the other applicants (mostly women) everybody was carrying a purse including myself. It was not a problem at all, I strongly suggest that you do, it was really helpful and my suit does not have pockets. Just choose a professional looking one.

Also, everbody was wearing heels, that was surprising!

🙂

 

[Sophie]

Regarding purses, I have this:

. I like it because I can carry my wallet, phone, and anything else I need, but I also have a section for keeping any papers they give me flat. Plus it looks professional. I thought about trying to do the no purse/bag thing, but I really like having my things with me.

Once it gets colder I will definitely be bringing a coat with me everywhere. I figure places that get cold will have already planned ahead for everyone to be wearing (and needing to store) coats.

I haven't had the luggage issue yet, but at NYU the director mentioned there are usually quite a few people who bring luggage with them to the interview and he seemed kind of surprised no one in our group had. It didn't sound like it would be an issue at all.

 

[whopper]

I can't answer several of the accessory questions. I can tell you that a hotel can carry your luggage, and program coordinators are usually cooperative with holding your suitcase. They know you've travelled, and don't mind holding it for a few hours.

Just in case, you could ask the program coordinator if it's possible, otherwise just have it held at the hotel.

 

[CaptainBluebear]

I'm in Australia and we probably do things quite differently. Could you please explain why you can't take your handbag into an interview?

 

[animas]

Glad this thread was started.

I love flats--but, are they too casual for interviews?

 

[Psychelle]

There is no way I'm wearing heals. I have some simple black Merrells mary janes that are incredibly comfortable that I plan on wearing. I admire any woman who can walk all day in heels without pain, but there is no way I can do it.

Bluebear - I don't know why you wouldn't be able to bring a handbag, I think my friends at school are just paranoid! They are the same people who insist on only wearing skirt suits, take off their wedding rings for interviews and have pearls just for these occasions. I live in a very conservative area in the Southeast, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

 

[billypilgrim37]

Glad this thread was started.

I love flats--but, are they too casual for interviews?

Personally, if I were interviewing an applicant in heels, I'd have my borderline meter on standby. 😉

 

[CaptainBluebear]

Bluebear - I don't know why you wouldn't be able to bring a handbag, I think my friends at school are just paranoid! They are the same people who insist on only wearing skirt suits, take off their wedding rings for interviews and have pearls just for these occasions. I live in a very conservative area in the Southeast, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

That is a relief - for a little while there I was wondering whether there was some anti-handbag code out there in the world that I wasn't aware of. 😀

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

There is no way I'm wearing heals. I have some simple black Merrells mary janes that are incredibly comfortable that I plan on wearing. I admire any woman who can walk all day in heels without pain, but there is no way I can do it.

Bluebear - I don't know why you wouldn't be able to bring a handbag, I think my friends at school are just paranoid! They are the same people who insist on only wearing skirt suits, take off their wedding rings for interviews and have pearls just for these occasions. I live in a very conservative area in the Southeast, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

Wait, is there something weird or conservative about wearing pearls? I was planning on wearing them just because they're classic, feminine, and pretty much impossible to screw up. However, if I'm sending a conservative message by wearing them, I'll rethink it.

ETA: Also, nobody's really doing the wedding ring thing right? I'm pretty sure even if I *TRIED*, I'd just end up with a ridiculous obvious line where my ring should be which would make them think either the truth-- that I'm intentionally trying to deceive them-- or worse that I'm going through a divorce! I don't see this working out well for anyone.

 

[notdeadyet]

Personally, if I were interviewing an applicant in heels, I'd have my borderline meter on standby. 😉

Uh-oh... Does the Must Be Dour thing that started with recommended med school interview fashion continue on into residency interviews?

Should I expect to see the same gaggle of guys wearing black suits? The first med student interview I went to felt like I was at a mortician's conference.

I realize that the funny theme tie or microskirt is probably a poor choice (and together is a really bad idea) but are psych folks really going to try to make inferences from whether a woman wears heels vs. flats or whether a guy wears a grey suit vs. dark blue with light pin-stripes?

 

[animas]

Uh-oh... Does the Must Be Dour thing that started with recommended med school interview fashion continue on into residency interviews?

Should I expect to see the same gaggle of guys wearing black suits? The first med student interview I went to felt like I was at a mortician's conference.

I realize that the funny theme tie or microskirt is probably a poor choice (and together is a really bad idea) but are psych folks really going to try to make inferences from whether a woman wears heels vs. flats or whether a guy wears a grey suit vs. dark blue with light pin-stripes?

See your point, but you never know, aye?

 

[notdeadyet]

See your point, but you never know, aye?

I don't know. Working with faculty interviewers at my school, everyone has a laugh about the "penguins" interviewing in the black suit with white shirts.

It's just clothes. If psych residency folks want to play mindgames, they can look at anyone who IS NOT wearing blacksuit/white shirt as a dangerous narcissist. Or they can look at anyone who IS wearing blacksuit/white shirt as a non-innovative follower.

At the end of the day, dress professionally and be yourself. Everyone interviews better when they're not playing a role.

 

[BabyPsychDoc]

I don't know. Working with faculty interviewers at my school, everyone has a laugh about the "penguins" interviewing in the black suit with white shirts.

It's just clothes. If psych residency folks want to play mindgames, they can look at anyone who IS NOT wearing blacksuit/white shirt as a dangerous narcissist. Or they can look at anyone who IS wearing blacksuit/white shirt as a non-innovative follower.

At the end of the day, dress professionally and be yourself. Everyone interviews better when they're not playing a role.

That's the problem - the psych folks like playing mindgames. (I have to admit, that is half of fun, though 😀). I was late to the didactics last week - because of the traffic issues - and the lecturer commented that it might be my Inner Child playing games on me. I was contemplating an early return from maternity leave to minimise resentment from the team - and the attending said I may well be projecting my own feelings about the issue onto the colleagues. You just can't win.

 

[GmailQueen]

So with all the snow in the northeast and midwest right now... what are people's plans in terms of footwear on the way to the interview? I would imagine that if you end up needing to walk a few blocks (ie, from a parking garage or the metro station), and it's raining/snowing, you don't want to do it in your heels + nice pants... but if you were to buy something like rain boots, where would you put them once you got to the interview?

 

[borrelia]

I've been wearing, and will continue to wear very small heel less than 2 inches.

People say flats could look a bit too informal, I don't know really, I would wear flats too if I had some! I guess, as long as you look professional, we don't have to be suuuper serious, do we?? It is not who I really am anyway. In my last interview everybody looked so uptight 😀

My friends trying to match into more competitive fields are wearing pearls, skirt and low heels exclusively!! 😴

And I will definitely bring coat with me!!

 

[strawberryfield]

I'm wearing heels, and I'm wearing a gorgeous multi-strand beaded necklace (pearls included) along with other shiny beads in it that I made, with a pantsuit....go ahead, analyze me 🙂

if psych is a creative field, why can't I show my (tasteful) creativity? 😉

p.s. a brand called me too makes really comfy non-slip rubber soled heels, those are what I'm wearing

 

[Sophie]

So with all the snow in the northeast and midwest right now... what are people's plans in terms of footwear on the way to the interview? I would imagine that if you end up needing to walk a few blocks (ie, from a parking garage or the metro station), and it's raining/snowing, you don't want to do it in your heels + nice pants... but if you were to buy something like rain boots, where would you put them once you got to the interview?

I would actually love an answer to this, too, as I've never had to deal with snow and can totally see myself ruining my heels and pantyhose or just completely falling on my ass on the way to an interview.

 

[Psychelle]

Yeah ditto I have no experience with weather on that scale... unless I was actually wearing snow boots and waterproof pants and intended to get snowy.

I guess professional women go out and about everyday in New York and make it just fine, right? Guess I'm just hoping for sunny days when I'm in the Northeast. 😛

 

[DrLady]

Hey Ladies

Interviewed in Psych (and matched at my first choice!) last year all over the Northeast...here are the things I wish I had known ahead of time:

1) Psych in the NE is pretty liberal...as long as you look professional, there's some room for tasteful, personal style. I wore a dark purple shirt with a skirt suit (with a ruffle!) and BCBG round-toe pumps--2.5 inches tall. Hair down. My usual (mostly invisible) makeup regimen. Heels vs. flats, pants vs. skirts, pearls vs. beads, hair up vs. down...none of it seemed to matter much unless somebody looked blatantly unprofessional or uncomfortable. Wear whatever you're most confident in.

2) It is madness(!) to not bring a coat for interviews! Make sure you have a nice (wool) dressy coat, scarf, gloves etc. I think every interview I went on had some outdoor component!

3) Most of your interviews will begin with you meeting the secretary/program coordinator in his/her office--which means plenty of time to figure out/ask about stashing your stuff there. Which everyone does. You will not be judged for bringing your crap with you.

4) Along those same lines, if it's really snowing or crappy weather and you have to walk outside for any amount of time, bring an extra bag/duffel, carry your heels, wear your boots to the front door...and dash into the hospital lobby bathroom to switch them out. Or do it in the program coordinators office. Again, everyone who lives in the northeast does these same things every day. They won't think twice about watching you do it too. I actually carried a medium-sized leather bag with me and kept my flats in there--switched them out for my heels if the tour had too many stairs! (bad knees). As long as you're discreet...nobody cares!

Would be happy to answer more specific questions via PM...
Good Luck!

 

[borrelia]

Thanks Dr. Lady!

I've always lived in the tropics, so I have no clue... Does it usually snow in NYC in December? How about Chicago in the middle of December?? Do I really need to buy some snow boots for those places??

 

[Psychelle]

Thank you Dr. Lady! Great post.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Thanks Dr. Lady!

I've always lived in the tropics, so I have no clue... Does it usually snow in NYC in December? How about Chicago in the middle of December?? Do I really need to buy some snow boots for those places??

Nah... All palm trees and sunshine! 😀

 

[GmailQueen]

For programs that have 2 days of interviews - are you guys planning on wearing a different suit each day? I do have 2 suits... but I like one less than the other... so I'm not sure which day to wear which suit...

 

[Sophie]

Thanks for such a helpful post, DrLady.

borrelia: It definitely snows in both of those places in the winter. During med school interviews in winter in Boston there was actually a snowstorm and I was SO thankful for my snow boots (I couldn't resist walking around in it and taking pictures of the snowman version of me 😀). Toasty warm feet makes the rest of you not feel so cold.

 

[cleareyedguy]

For programs that have 2 days of interviews - are you guys planning on wearing a different suit each day? I do have 2 suits... but I like one less than the other... so I'm not sure which day to wear which suit...

old news, but it's fine to go with same suit, different shirt and tie.

 

[samwise2]

Hey gals,

Sometimes I feel like the anxiety of interviewing gets to people and they worry that they need to be something they're not. It's PERFECTLY fine to carry a purse as well as a briefcase. It's absolutely fine to have luggage. I would dress conservatively because this is a business setting. After all, psychiatrists should be neutral, not flashy. The creativity comes from how you approach the patient, but if you dress inappropriately/flashy, it's not great for patients either. So you should dress conservatively when interviewing too.

Best of luck,

-samwise

 

[pingouin]

Hey gals,

Sometimes I feel like the anxiety of interviewing gets to people and they worry that they need to be something they're not. It's PERFECTLY fine to carry a purse as well as a briefcase. It's absolutely fine to have luggage. I would dress conservatively because this is a business setting. After all, psychiatrists should be neutral, not flashy. The creativity comes from how you approach the patient, but if you dress inappropriately/flashy, it's not great for patients either. So you should dress conservatively when interviewing too.

Best of luck,

-samwise

Yep. I solved the problem by having an extra-large purse similar to the one below that fit everything, including a folder. (And my laptop while traveling). Luggage is no big deal, as many program coordinators will offer to store them for you during the interview (and those who don't offer- just ask. they'll do it).

The one time I wore a low heel- because we were told it would be a driving tour due to the multiple clinical sites- I completely regretted it. Wound up walking for over an hour total. Stuck with a dressier loafer purchased from DSW after that.