Question about interview attire

[ardemus]

Can someone give me some advice on interview attire? i've only gone to one interview thus far... and when i went, i wore grey dress pants and a white button down shirt (i am female). is that ok? all the other ppl there were super dressed up. all the girls were wearing striped suits. umm... except for this one girl who had a pink mini skirt on and a turtleneck.

i have a few more interviews coming up and could use some tips.
i'm poor and would prefer not to spend money on a suit if i don't absolutely need to. i also have these pink pants (express editor pants, in cotton sateen) that i really like. would i be able to wear that without offending the interviewer??

Thanks for any input.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I don't know if your outfit is suitable. I understand not wanting to fork out money on a suit, but honestly, an interview is NOT the place to stand out, with respect to clothing. I just remember this one girl at a recent interview who wore nice black pants and a patterned white and purple sweater. Everyone else (40+ people) was wearing a suit. Plus, if you invest in a suit, the interview will not be the only time that you will use it. You'll almost certainly need a nice business suit for other occasions. Good luck!

 

[chlorineK]

You should wear a suit- maybe you could get one on sale at a department store-Filenes, JCPenny? If it is impossible for you to get a suit, your dress pants, a collared shirt, and a jacket/blazer would be okay. But really really, dressing to impress means wearing a suit.

 

[Ologist]

My advice would be to get a cheap conservative suit somewhere. The way i look at it, you only interview once, make it count in every way. Good Luck!

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the best blog ever: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=kmd1

 

[LauraMac]

one of my friends got a suit for $40 at jcpenney's. try that or possibly some discounted place online. as for other interview attire advice check out this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=134884&highlight=interview+attire+women

 

[blingblah]

Its true what they say, the interview is not the time to stand out. But as long as you look decent, you should be straight. If you think your application is pretty strong and you have built a pretty good case to be accepted into a school and can replicate that desire during your interview, screw that suit crap!! Just go wearing what you did, they have to be more impressed by the person in the clothes not the clothes on the person. good luck with your interviews!!

 

[MWillie]

Just get a damn suit, mein gott.

 

[MrTee]

At one of my interviews, one of the candidates didn't wear a suit, but he did wear a green button down shirt and green tie, with dark pants. He also brought his parents into the room when they gave the presentation on the school, financial aid, etc. They must have been bored out of their minds!

 

[AStudent]

This is probably one of the two times in your life where you absolutely need to be dressed up. Beg, borrow, or steal one from a friend.....you need a suit.

 

[SocialistMD]

I would go ahead and buy a suit. You will use it again when the process recycles itself in 4 years during your residency interviews. Believe me, I understand the financial crunch, but as a guy I had to break down and buy a suit when applying for medical school. This year, when the money situation was even tighter, I wore the same suit (ahem...albeit a bit tighter this time around) for my residency interviews. It is a wise investment if you can manage to make it. If not, I don't think it will detract too much.

 

[bewitched1081]

don't wear pink. you could try to find a gray blazer that matches your pants and is made out the same material. of course, you're probably not going to find a perfect match, but people might not be able to tell unless they look closely. it's understandable that you don't have enough money to buy a suit, but try to get something together. i've seen people get things from their friends or family members. at least the interviewer will know that you understand what the proper attire is.

 

[synapse lapse]

don't wear pink. you could try to find a gray blazer that matches your pants and is made out the same material. of course, you're probably not going to find a perfect match, but people might not be able to tell unless they look closely. it's understandable that you don't have enough money to buy a suit, but try to get something together. i've seen people get things from their friends or family members. at least the interviewer will know that you understand what the proper attire is.

Don't wear pink? I wore a pink french cuff shirt and it didn't hurt me (I'm male). Other women wore pink and it seemed prefectly tastefull.

 

[erin682]

Don't wear pink? I wore a pink french cuff shirt and it didn't hurt me (I'm male). Other women wore pink and it seemed prefectly tastefull.

A pink shirt is one thing. Pink pants is another. Schools now are huge on professionalism. I mean its preached to no end. I'm sure they're cute but pink pants don't exactly scream I'm a professional.

 

[ardemus]

Hey everyone,

thanks for all your comments. due to the overwhelming majority of ppl who said i definitely need a suit... i decided to suck it up and buy one regardless of the cost. i asked my friend to drive me to Macy's just now. and....

i found this awesome suit!! (it's a black ones with stripes, very normal/professional). and the amazing thing is... it was only $51.90 including tax. i used a $50 gift cert that a family friend had given me a long time ago... and only had to spend $1.90. omg, must have been fate. now i have a suit!!! i won't be the odd person out at the next interviews. thank you!!

 

[MWillie]

Excellent decision. Women have it much easier when it comes to suits. No way someone's finding a decent men's suit for 50 bucks at Macy*s.

 

[crimsoncash]

Hey everyone,

thanks for all your comments. due to the overwhelming majority of ppl who said i definitely need a suit... i decided to suck it up and buy one regardless of the cost. i asked my friend to drive me to Macy's just now. and....

i found this awesome suit!! (it's a black ones with stripes, very normal/professional). and the amazing thing is... it was only $51.90 including tax. i used a $50 gift cert that a family friend had given me a long time ago... and only had to spend $1.90. omg, must have been fate. now i have a suit!!! i won't be the odd person out at the next interviews. thank you!!

Very nice, Ardemus!! Sounds like it turned out to be an awesome deal, too. Remember, you can wear this suit for many years to come, so think of it in terms of an investment. Here's to many great interviews and acceptances!

 

[blingblah]

decisive!!!! fantastic, good luck!