Residency Interview Appearance

[YBFMD]

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This may be a stupid question. My apologies if it has been asked before.

I'm gearing up for residency interviews and preparing to take the professional photo for ERAS

I don't think this is a HUGE issue at all, but I'm wondering if any of you have considered how the way you style your hair may count for or against you in an interview. SPecifically, I happen to be going into something that is especially white male dominated, and I plan to apply in the midwest, conservative bible belt area. I'm wondering if my microbraids will be acceptable or if I should go for a far more conservative hairstyle?

I honestly cannot remember how I wore my hair during my med school interviews. I did apply to schools in urban areas though.

 

[njbmd]

In terms of residency interviews, make sure that you are neat and professional in appearance. Even conservative white males have seen braids, locks and other natural hairdos but you can't have anything that will not fit in with a professional look. Pull your locks and braids back in your photos. For females, put on a small amount of very natural make-up (the new minerals are good for this look) with a minimum of eyeliner (no pale eyeshadow) and a toned down lip color that evens out your lip tones but is not too shiny. For guys, make sure that you don't shine on the photo so just before the camera, go into the mens room and wipe down your face if it's oily.

For example, if you wear locks, keep them neat and managed. This means no wild locks that have blanket-lint in them. Even the most natural of locks can be pulled back with a band and made neat and clean. This goes for braids too. If you braids are full of beads and metal, you may want to remove these items before your portraits.

Have a nice suit with jacket and tie for men or blouse and conservative neckwear for women. For women, pants or skirt are fine but remember no short skirt that you have to keep tugging at to keep in place. No large or bling-bling earrings either. If you have a huge diamond nose ring, this is the time to remove it. You want to appear smooth, polished and professional.

Look for smart and contemporary looks in business magazines but don't go too radical. You want any interviewer to be impressed with you application and not reminded that you appeared like a rap star at your interview. Not that rap stars look bad but that's not a good look for a residency interview.

Choose an interview look that is comfortable and easy for you to master. Again, this is not the time to try something radical and new that you haven't pulled off before. If your look is uncomfortable (too high heels or too new shoes), you won't be at your best. For women, keep the make up very conservative and clean. The is also not the time for strong cologne as it is better not to wear anything like that.

Every residency interview involves a walking tour so be prepared. Make sure your attire will stand up to the walking tours. If you interview in the north, remember that you need a nice business coat that will protect too. In the south, remember that heat and humidity can be present in September and October too.

 

[elwademd]

In terms of residency interviews, make sure that you are neat and professional in appearance. Even conservative white males have seen braids, locks and other natural hairdos but you can't have anything that will not fit in with a professional look. Pull your locks and braids back in your photos. For females, put on a small amount of very natural make-up (the new minerals are good for this look) with a minimum of eyeliner (no pale eyeshadow) and a toned down lip color that evens out your lip tones but is not too shiny. For guys, make sure that you don't shine on the photo so just before the camera, go into the mens room and wipe down your face if it's oily.

For example, if you wear locks, keep them neat and managed. This means no wild locks that have blanket-lint in them. Even the most natural of locks can be pulled back with a band and made neat and clean. This goes for braids too. If you braids are full of beads and metal, you may want to remove these items before your portraits.

Have a nice suit with jacket and tie for men or blouse and conservative neckwear for women. For women, pants or skirt are fine but remember no short skirt that you have to keep tugging at to keep in place. No large or bling-bling earrings either. If you have a huge diamond nose ring, this is the time to remove it. You want to appear smooth, polished and professional.

Look for smart and contemporary looks in business magazines but don't go too radical. You want any interviewer to be impressed with you application and not reminded that you appeared like a rap star at your interview. Not that rap stars look bad but that's not a good look for a residency interview.

Choose an interview look that is comfortable and easy for you to master. Again, this is not the time to try something radical and new that you haven't pulled off before. If your look is uncomfortable (too high heels or too new shoes), you won't be at your best. For women, keep the make up very conservative and clean. The is also not the time for strong cologne as it is better not to wear anything like that.

Every residency interview involves a walking tour so be prepared. Make sure your attire will stand up to the walking tours. If you interview in the north, remember that you need a nice business coat that will protect too. In the south, remember that heat and humidity can be present in September and October too.

well said.

as far as color of suit for a residency interview, everyone wears black and dark blue (once you're a resident, you'll really see it).

if you want to be professional, but stand out, go with a medium to dark shade of gray. even with a pinstripe (light in color), or window pane. pair the gray with courdovan (a dark maroon color) or chocolate brown shoes.

 

[MSKalltheway]

if you want to be professional, but stand out, go with a medium to dark shade of gray. even with a pinstripe (light in color), or window pane. pair the gray with courdovan (a dark maroon color) or chocolate brown shoes.

I actually was complemented by the Dean of Admissions at my school on interview day for wearing gray. I was the only one in a sea of navy and black and it worked well. I fully expect to be wearing that same suit for residency interviews (at least its still good since I haven't touched it since then).

 

[DrShelmonMD]

In terms of residency interviews, make sure that you are neat and professional in appearance. Even conservative white males have seen braids, locks and other natural hairdos but you can't have anything that will not fit in with a professional look. Pull your locks and braids back in your photos. For females, put on a small amount of very natural make-up (the new minerals are good for this look) with a minimum of eyeliner (no pale eyeshadow) and a toned down lip color that evens out your lip tones but is not too shiny. For guys, make sure that you don't shine on the photo so just before the camera, go into the mens room and wipe down your face if it's oily.

For example, if you wear locks, keep them neat and managed. This means no wild locks that have blanket-lint in them. Even the most natural of locks can be pulled back with a band and made neat and clean. This goes for braids too. If you braids are full of beads and metal, you may want to remove these items before your portraits.

Have a nice suit with jacket and tie for men or blouse and conservative neckwear for women. For women, pants or skirt are fine but remember no short skirt that you have to keep tugging at to keep in place. No large or bling-bling earrings either. If you have a huge diamond nose ring, this is the time to remove it. You want to appear smooth, polished and professional.

Look for smart and contemporary looks in business magazines but don't go too radical. You want any interviewer to be impressed with you application and not reminded that you appeared like a rap star at your interview. Not that rap stars look bad but that's not a good look for a residency interview.

Choose an interview look that is comfortable and easy for you to master. Again, this is not the time to try something radical and new that you haven't pulled off before. If your look is uncomfortable (too high heels or too new shoes), you won't be at your best. For women, keep the make up very conservative and clean. The is also not the time for strong cologne as it is better not to wear anything like that.

Every residency interview involves a walking tour so be prepared. Make sure your attire will stand up to the walking tours. If you interview in the north, remember that you need a nice business coat that will protect too. In the south, remember that heat and humidity can be present in September and October too.

So I'm guessing that a twist-out 'fro is out of the question? 😕

 

[njbmd]

So I'm guessing that a twist-out 'fro is out of the question? 😕

If your hair is neat and not wild, it will be fine. Look at DL Hughley on CNN. He looks neat and professional with his twists because they are not too long and not too wild. Braids on a man might be too much unless they are small and pulled back, clean and neat. Neat and well-groomed is the look that you are trying to achieve. Less is more and more is less. You can celebrate your heritage and be well-groomed at the same time.

 

[DrShelmonMD]

If your hair is neat and not wild, it will be fine. Look at DL Hughley on CNN. He looks neat and professional with his twists because they are not too long and not too wild. Braids on a man might be too much unless they are small and pulled back, clean and neat. Neat and well-groomed is the look that you are trying to achieve. Less is more and more is less. You can celebrate your heritage and be well-groomed at the same time.

I'm a girl lol

 

[DoctaJay]

So others words, don't show up like this:

 

[ChemEngMD]

Yeah showing up high as a kite probably wouldn't be the best idea...not too many crack heads in medical school

So others words, don't show up like this:

 

[starseeker]

So others words, don't show up like this:

Hahaha this was too funny!!!!!

 

[njbmd]

Hahaha this was too funny!!!!!

Yea, but you have to picture this dude in scrubs and white lab coat. I'll be he could make it look bitchin.

 

[starseeker]

Yea, but you have to picture this dude in scrubs and white lab coat. I'll be he could make it look bitchin.

I'm picturing it now and I must say I definently agree with you.

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

Weezy F. Baby, M.D.

 

[SlickNickMD]

DR CARTER FTW😎

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

"I'm a doctor so they don't understand my writing."

Double entendre signifying the complexity of his lyrics as well as referencing the notorious bad handwriting of physicians FTW 😎

 

[AKADoc]

I can totally imagine Weezy in a lab coat...

Anyway, I have long natural hair that I wore straight for my ERAS pic and most of my interviews. (also for my ERAS pic, I put on TONS of makeup because the flash my school uses notoriously washes people out) My philosophy was that I did not want to stand out for my hair. The times I did wear my hair natural, it was pulled back, half up/half down. Like it was said before, you can wear your hair in whatever way that makes you feel comfortable, as long as you remain cognizant as to who is interviewing you at the same time.