Ladies - Jacket on or off during interview?

[purreleven]

I'm sure there's been a thread on this one already but I give up searching for it....

I have my first interview this week and I realized I have no idea what the proper etiquette is... do we take off our suit jackets during the interview? If so...where do you put it? Or...if not, then can you leave the jacket unbuttoned? I've got a nice shirt on underneath so it's not like it looks bad, but is it inappropriate?

Thanks and good luck to everyone applying this cycle!

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[jr doctor in sd]

with stats like yours...if you went in topless id accept you still and think you were dressed well - GREAT job!

and id say to avoid worrying where to put your jacket, if your shirt is formal enough, etc. - just leave it on - just dont sweat or get too nervous and hot in it haha 👍

 

[Adradr]

This is actually a good question, and I think I remember from my corporate days that you should unbutton your jacket when you sit down and button it when you stand up.

Also, (presuming 3 buttons) the rule on buttoning is "always, sometimes, never"...but I can't remember if it's top to bottom or bottom to top! Anyone? 😳

Edit: I think it's top to bottom... How silly would it look to only have the bottom button buttoned?

 

[UCDavisISokay]

butoon the top two and leave the last one unbuttoned. I would weat the jacket; pple usually look better wearingg it

 

[bluesTank]

butoon the top two and leave the last one unbuttoned. I would weat the jacket; pple usually look better wearingg it

Are you drinking on a sunday night?

 

[purreleven]

yeah i've also been wondering about that with the three buttons (we're totally overanalyzing this, I know)... but I feel like having all three buttoned up makes it look a little suffocating. Although I would have assumed to leave the top one unbuttoned, and have the bottom two buttoned...hrm, I'll give it a try the other way around.

I kind of want to unbutton my jacket for the interview so I don't look so uptight (since I do have a three button jacket)...but then again, will unbuttoning it when I'm already in the room make it awkward (feels like I'm stripping somewhat, haha).

I'm sure the adcoms won't really care THAT much about what's going on with our jackets, but I don't want to give the wrong first impression and all...

 

[Textuality]

yeah..I'll probably unbuttom mine, mostly because I really like the color of my shirt underneath. That, and between the black suit, and black hair, and black shoes, I don't want to look like I"m in mourning.

What I'm more curious about, is whether I'll have time before the interviews or between interview and tour, to change into/out of my sneakers! There is no way I"m doing these tours in heels (I have very small feet). Knowing my luck, it'll be rainy, or we'll be walking through gravel-laden construction sites, or you know, I could just miss the step and fall down a flight of stairs. Heh.

 

[DianaUT06]

Are you drinking on a sunday night?

 

[jbrice1639]

This is actually a good question, and I think I remember from my corporate days that you should unbutton your jacket when you sit down and button it when you stand up.

Also, (presuming 3 buttons) the rule on buttoning is "always, sometimes, never"...but I can't remember if it's top to bottom or bottom to top! Anyone? 😳

Edit: I think it's top to bottom... How silly would it look to only have the bottom button buttoned?

it's always middle, sometimes top, never bottom.

 

[globalhealthgal]

the rule i've heard:
if you want to take off your jacket, ask permission of your interviewer first.
otherwise, you can unbutton it as you sit.
and ditto on the sometimes the top, always the middle, never the bottom.
wear nylons and close toed shoes too if wearing a skirt!

 

[LadyWolverine]

If it's hot in the room, take off the damn jacket. There's nothing worse than getting sweaty during an interview. BO is not an admirable quality that will increase your competitiveness. If someone that I was interviewing asked me for permission to take off their jacket, I'd think that they were incapable of making simple, personal decisions on their own.
Its an interview, for godsakes. Do whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[Jolie South]

If it's hot in the room, take off the damn jacket. There's nothing worse than getting sweaty during an interview. BO is not an admirable quality that will increase your competitiveness. If someone that I was interviewing asked me for permission to take off their jacket, I'd think that they were incapable of making simple, personal decisions on their own.
Its an interview, for godsakes. Do whatever makes you comfortable.

Big nasty pit stains aren't known to increase your competitiveness either. . .

That's why I go for jacket on!

 

[purreleven]

What I'm more curious about, is whether I'll have time before the interviews or between interview and tour, to change into/out of my sneakers!

Me too! I considered bringing sneakers, but I'm going for a pair of black ballet flats. Got it for $18 at payless. I figure the flats would be easier slip in and out of and to stash in my purse.

Thanks to everyone for the jacket advice - I'm pretty sure I'll unbutton it during the interview, but not take it off. I'm probably going to wear a shell rather than a collared shirt inside so I'd rather not expose my shoulders and arms. To those of you who are very petite (I'm 5'0" - talk about needing heels!!!) they've got great petite suiting at Banana Republic. I searched everywhere for something to fit and that was the only place where the suits didn't look like bags on my body.

 

[MDee]

Can you carry a purse around without looking unprofessional? That's something I keep wondering, because I, too, don't want to tour in heels!

 

[Premed04]

I always leave it on.

 

[TigerSoup]

I was also wondering about the purse thing. A lot of people suggest bringing a nice leather folder to put papers in, but I need somewhere to put my phone and wallet (no pockets in the suit), so would it be better to bring the folder + a small purse, or a large purse/bag that can fit the folder as well?

Maybe after I get over all the stupid logistics I'll start preparing for my interview [on Friday... ****].

 

[Jolie South]

I've been bringing a purse large enough to hold a folder and I haven't felt weird. If anything, I feel more comfortable because I can fit all of my essentials inside. It's business-y but not too big.

I have seen some girls though with a brown casual type purse and black suits. Tacky. Try to match.

 

[purreleven]

Can you carry a purse around without looking unprofessional? That's something I keep wondering, because I, too, don't want to tour in heels!

Definitely bringing a purse large enough to keep all my essentials in - and my shoes! I don't think it'll look tacky (as long as you match your suit) and from what I've heard, you can leave your belongings in the admissions office when you go in for your interview, so you'll walk in with maybe just a folder/portfolio.

I haven't gone to an interview yet so I'm not entirely sure. For those of you who have, did they give you a place to put your purse/other belongings?

 

[45408]

Can you carry a purse around without looking unprofessional? That's something I keep wondering, because I, too, don't want to tour in heels!

sure, as long as it matches or isn't a mini-duffel.