just a note about interview attire..

[bubbl3s]

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I interviewed today at UCSD and when a faculty interviewer saw the applicants, he said "everyone's wearing black again!" He didn't seem upset and even chuckled a little. Take it as you will!

 

[confettiflyer]

haha...i wore bright colors with no jacket to my interviews, nailed them both. Haha, I did the no jacket thing before Obama made it the white house rule.

So long as you don't have an "interview faux pas" you should be okay (ie jeans, no tie if you're a guy, disheveled/no shower/hippie look, excessive perfume/cologne, inappropriate questions).

 

[Spock87]

Last year I went to a pharm school interview, and it was like a funeral since everyone wore black 🤣

 

[Garfield3d]

Last year I went to a pharm school interview, and it was like a funeral since everyone wore black 🤣

I wore a lighter shade of green with a blue tie and a black suit jacket. Maybe that's why I got in....

But to anyone reading this thread and thinking... I honestly wouldn't worry about it. Just be sure to wear professional clothing (shirt, jacket, tie, belt, and shoes). When in doubt, go conservatively. Clothing concerns should be very low on your list of worries when it comes to preparing for your interview.

--Garfield3d

 

[Texas PharmDoc]

I interviewed today at UCSD and when a faculty interviewer saw the applicants, he said "everyone's wearing black again!" He didn't seem upset and even chuckled a little. Take it as you will!

yep its the "sea of black"

 

[lymmys]

Apparently black and white are classic and you can never go wrong with them lol

 

[rowerpharm]

I interviewed today at UCSD and when a faculty interviewer saw the applicants, he said "everyone's wearing black again!" He didn't seem upset and even chuckled a little. Take it as you will!

Haha, my interviewer at Mercer mentioned this as well. He said that everyone looked as if "we were headed to a funeral." But, it is professional so I really don't think you can go wrong with a black suit. Just add a little personality with what you wear under it... and of course, in what you say!

 

[confettiflyer]

someone needs to wear a used-car salesman suit like this

 

[Vogelsang]

That's... Don Cherry?

 

[confettiflyer]

That's... Don Cherry?

yup that is

 

[aFarmD]

someone needs to wear a used-car salesman suit like this

you'll get in right away

 

[Sparda29]

I've been trying to figure out what is the origin of men wearing ties and which idiot thought of that.

 

[inquirer89]

I interviewed today at UCSD and when a faculty interviewer saw the applicants, he said "everyone's wearing black again!" He didn't seem upset and even chuckled a little. Take it as you will!

That's why the go-to suit for men is navy or charcoal gray. Black is for groomsmen, funerals, and after 5 😉

 

[diastole]

I'm thinking of going for a Hillary style pantsuit in some bright color. If it is good enough for a presidential run then it is good enough for an interview to pharmacy school. Of course, when I get to the store to actually buy it, I will probably cave and go for black just like everybody else.

 

[diastole]

Oh, so many colors to choose from...

 

[pharmDlinz84]

yeah, my friend wore a pink suit (skirt) and some pink long boots to her interview and she actually got IN!! WE thought she was goign crazy when she bought that thing but hey, it worked for her!!

However, I dont think im goign to be that bold!! haha

 

[thephoenician88]

"oh, no professor, this is dark navy
professor:"ah.....smartass

 

[orunri]

I've been trying to figure out what is the origin of men wearing ties and which idiot thought of that.

I’ve had to learn how to tie them, figure out which color well represents me, which will match with my suit etc. But they are so irritating, it's suffocating at times.

 

[Hels2007]

Black is not only boring, black also contrasts with the young 20 year old faces in a way that just makes me chuckle.. There are plenty of other options, even for men. And for women, there are simply a billion options - all the grays, blues, browns, burgundy... and then there are even more color options if you feel more adventurous. And what blouse or top you wear under the suit and what (if any) decoration you put on the lapel, and whether you wear a scarf with the suit, and what boots or shoes you wear - all that can completely change the look even of a most basic black suit. But most people try to find the one right prescription (hence all the billion attire threads on SDN) and therefore all end up looking the same.

 

[fhx06]

Heh, yeah that definitely is true. I had a choice between navy and charcoal, and charcoal looked better. I think the color of your shirt and tie also does quite a bit.

Hels2007: You have an awesome signature.

 

[Sparda29]

I’ve had to learn how to tie them, figure out which color well represents me, which will match with my suit etc. But they are so irritating, it's suffocating at times.

It's not that it's hard to tie, its the feeling like I'm choking when I wear one especially when things get busy or if I get nervous.

I feel sorry for all my high school friends who went into finance for college, they are going to have to wear those every day.

 

[goldennemesis]

I had two interviews last year, and chose to wear a light grey suit with a blue shirt, and wore a string of dark colored freshwater pearls. I feel like I stood out because of my color choices, at one interview in particular. I think standing out in a crowd is definitely a good thing, as long as you don't look like a clown, LOL.

 

[slimfine]

why must it be a suit? is there something wrong with knee lenght gown for ladies

 

[BearDown]

Someone said that exact funeral quote yesterday at the OU interview. How funny. I went black suit with blue shirt & yellow tie. The colors seem to spice up the blah black suit a bit

 

[ffpickle]

Everyone was wearing black because black/grey/dark navy blue are the most professional colors, generally speaking.

You want to be remembered for substance, not style.

Express your fashion sense elsewhere.

 

[Hels2007]

why must it be a suit? is there something wrong with knee lenght gown for ladies

Nothing at all, if you are going on a date. Interviews require "business professional" attire, and a dress without a jacket is not "business professional". If you put a nice (preferably matching) blazer over the dress, then it may be appropriate, depending on the style of the dress and the blazer.

 

[thephoenician88]

so...my past interview, it was me, another guy and 2 girls

girl: light blue
girl: light grey
guy:black
me:navy w/white stripes lol

 

[pharmacyanalyst]

Black is the smartest option if you are going to lay down some money for a new suit. It's classic and you can dress it up or dress it down. If you want color, buy a bright shirt to wear under it. For ladies, I love the washable Limited suits. They aren't stiff and you can wash them.

 

[luckyphooey]

If you want to "stand out"/add a little color just do so with you dress shirt and tie. Nothing over the top though.

 

[alenadoma]

Nothing at all, if you are going on a date. Interviews require "business professional" attire, and a dress without a jacket is not "business professional". If you put a nice (preferably matching) blazer over the dress, then it may be appropriate, depending on the style of the dress and the blazer.

I think that a dress suit is perfect. That's what I bought for my interviews and at first I was nervous that it would make me stand out in a negative way, but it was the complete opposite. I am convinced that looking feminine yet professional is the way to go when it comes to these interviews. You look and feel confident, the interviewers can tell, and I feel like they take you more seriously.
I'll never wear a black pant suit to an interview again 🙂

 

[Thatonegal]

When choosing what to wear to an interview you want to maintain the professional aspect while standing out. Black suit and white shirt blend into the crowd. I think a colored shirt under a black suit is a good idea. I would also suggest an interesting tie pin to the guys and a pretty brooch of some sort for women. You want something unique that might catch the interviewers attention and make you stand out in their memory. Women can also wear a silk scarf, but it is more difficult to wear a scarf properly than a brooch.
As far as suit color goes, I think if am invited for an interview I will try to find a chocolate brown suit for myself and pair it with a pale shirt in pink or yellow. Then again I might opt for a navy skirt suit with a scarf. I will probably wear my grandmother's brooch either way.

On a side not, my husband only owned one suit when he was interviewing for medical school and it was a dark olive green suit with a pale green shirt and dark green tie. He told me he never saw anyone else in the same color and he was accepted to 2 or 3 schools.

 

[Hels2007]

I think that a dress suit is perfect. That's what I bought for my interviews and at first I was nervous that it would make me stand out in a negative way, but it was the complete opposite. I am convinced that looking feminine yet professional is the way to go when it comes to these interviews. You look and feel confident, the interviewers can tell, and I feel like they take you more seriously.
I'll never wear a black pant suit to an interview again 🙂

On the traditional "power suit scale", the skirt suit ranks the highest, followed by the dress suit, and only then the lowly pantsuit. 🙂 Or, as my mom always used to say, "show off your legs while they are worth showing, they won't last forever" 😀

 

[emmiepharmd]

WELL i wore a skirt suit to my interview last week, and there was only ONE OTHER GIRL wearing a skirt. every other girl was wearing black pants. i don't know if it's because it was in florida and girls generally dress more casually down here overall, but i felt just a little awkward...! like i was wearing something inappropriate that everyone else knew not to wear...not the greatest feeling! so for interviews in florida, ladies...be warned!!

 

[alenadoma]

WELL i wore a skirt suit to my interview last week, and there was only ONE OTHER GIRL wearing a skirt. every other girl was wearing black pants. i don't know if it's because it was in florida and girls generally dress more casually down here overall, but i felt just a little awkward...! like i was wearing something inappropriate that everyone else knew not to wear...not the greatest feeling! so for interviews in florida, ladies...be warned!!

Why would you want to blend in with the rest of the interviewees?? It's good to stand out during interviews!

 

[IrishHammer]

Why would you want to blend in with the rest of the interviewees?? It's good to stand out during interviews!

It does make things a little uncomfortable, though. I can attest to that, at all of my interviews I was the only guy who did not wear a jacket. I just had slacks, button down shirt, and a tie. I did have a tie tack, though, something that other interviewees did not have. Hopefully they remember the tie tack while making a decision on my file.

 

[Rxlele]

I think many people don't deviate far from traditional interview attire out of fear that it will make you look less serious of a candidate or unprofessional. And it's easy to overthink things since your nerves are somewhat flustered!

I don't think it's impossible to show up at an interview looking professional, yet with your own touch of style illustrating your personality. Someone shouldn't should feel confined to wearing a plain black outfit just to be taken seriously. Besides if you're a good solid interviewee, then your words will overpower your wear =)

 

[Calypso522]

lol, I refused to do the black or gray pantsuit thing for my interviews(I'm a lady, lol). When I went to my VCU interview it really did look like a funeral. Plain and formal really aren't my style. I wore brown pants and boots with a bright turquoise tank top and tan blazer. I also had a matching necklace. I was complemented at both interviews for showing personality and one professor even said I looked like a pharmacist not a candidate. 😀

I don't really have a good picture from that day... just a bad one that my goofy boyfriend snapped when I walked in the door, lol...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k148/Tiamet2b/n15805341_32127239_5547.jpg

I think I looked classy and professional, but not boring 🙂 Oh, and wearing comfy boots with a very small heel was probably the best decision of my life, lol I was accepted quickly at both schools, so I guess it worked!

 

[kmachiavelli]

I just bought a sick-a** suit from BCBG for my two interviews this week. Charcoal blue w/ light blue pinstripes. European style pants, + a light blue french cuffed CK shirt and some awesome Kenneth Cole shoes. It's gonna look so pimp with my red Armani power tie. Here I go!!! I was pretty sad about having to cut my hair though. I should post before and after pics, haha

 

[goinkhead]

Next time i'm at an interview session, Im going to say the "funeral" quote. It'll make me look "cool" and "edgy"

 

[UES Girl]

Finding a suit that fits for my frail body was one of the hardest things I had to do this application cycle. Eventually I had to settle and pay $600 for a suit that eventually fit. It's black as well but if anyone is looking for good blue/gray female suits, J crew has a few nice ones.

 

[inquirer89]

I know there is a thread on this somewhere, but would anyone wear a tie with the school's colors on it? There is a nice repp tie on sale at JCrew I'm looking at that would be perfect.

Oh yea, and if anyone needs a quick and cheap suit, Target is the way to go. 😎

 

[Kruton]

Next time i'm at an interview session, Im going to say the "funeral" quote. It'll make me look "cool" and "edgy"

"Good" plan. Make sure to give a small chuckle of self-satisfaction with your "rad" humor.

 

[diastole]

I stressed out way too much over clothes. The problem is that I have no fashion sense so I have no confidence in the clothes I choose when I dress up. Worse, I'm growing out my hair for Locks of Love and it just doesn't look good right now. My mom tried to get me to cut it but I've been growing it out for almost two years now so I didn't want to throw in the towel after all that time.

In the end, it didn't matter. My personality came out despite my clothes and hair. As long as you look presentable, your appearance matters much less than the things that come out of your mouth.

 

[Kruton]

I stressed out way too much over clothes. The problem is that I have no fashion sense so I have no confidence in the clothes I choose when I dress up. Worse, I'm growing out my hair for Locks of Love and it just doesn't look good right now. My mom tried to get me to cut it but I've been growing it out for almost two years now so I didn't want to throw in the towel after all that time.

In the end, it didn't matter. My personality came out despite my clothes and hair. As long as you look presentable, your appearance matters much less than the things that come out of your mouth.

Did you tell your interviewers about the Locks of Love? I bet they loved it.

 

[fhx06]

As long as a person does not go to an interview dressed as Quailman and have some semblance of professionalism, it should be okay. If you're uncomfortable in your clothes, it will show and may work against you.

 

[diastole]

Did you tell your interviewers about the Locks of Love? I bet they loved it.

I didn't. It never even occurred to me to bring it up.

 

[RhinoRX]

Apparently black and white are classic and you can never go wrong with them lol

everyone at my interview wore black and white, and i was expecting that would happen. so i went with a reddish shirt, which made me stand out immediately from everyone else who kinda blended into a pack.

 

[greentea0588]

hey guys!! I have my interview for pharm school this friday and I have all the outfit planned out except for stockings... for girls did you wear stockings? Does it matter if women wear them or not to the interview ? I would wear them but my shoes slip off my heels with stockings on.

 

[alenadoma]

hey guys!! I have my interview for pharm school this friday and I have all the outfit planned out except for stockings... for girls did you wear stockings? Does it matter if women wear them or not to the interview ? I would wear them but my shoes slip off my heels with stockings on.

If you are wearing a skirt then I would wear them. I think it looks very unprofessional when they are not worn with a skirt to an interview.
Maybe get a different pair of shoes?

 

[greentea0588]

If you are wearing a skirt then I would wear them. I think it looks very unprofessional when they are not worn with a skirt to an interview.
Maybe get a different pair of shoes?

Thanks for replying!! I'm actually wearing pants. I was just concerned about my toes showing a bit...it seems like nothing when I think about it but I don't want to take any chances for this interview thats why.