Wearing Glasses for Interviews?

[Spifru]

Hello! First post, let me know if I'm doing this wrong. I have searched the forum but still haven't been able to fight off the neuroticism D:
I have worn glasses since first grade, only tried contacts recently. I can tolerate them but I blink more than usual and my eyes get distractingly irritated... My glasses are normal-looking, rectangular with thin frames.
Would it be more beneficial if I tried harder to get used to contacts?
Do adcoms (unconsciously) hold it against a candidate if they wore glasses?

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[deleted854547]

I don't think glasses confer any sort of advantage or disadvantage. On the interviews I've been to, there have been sharp looking interviewees with glasses and without.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Hello! First post, let me know if I'm doing this wrong. I have searched the forum but still haven't been able to fight off the neuroticism D:
I have worn glasses since first grade, only tried contacts recently. I can tolerate them but I blink more than usual and my eyes get distractingly irritated... My glasses are normal-looking, rectangular with thin frames.
Would it be more beneficial if I tried harder to get used to contacts?
Do adcoms (unconsciously) hold it against a candidate if they wore glasses?

Make sure its a professional pair of glasses (i.e. no stupid thick framed hipster glasses). Now isn't the time for style glasses, you want to maintain a professional composure. Many medical students wear physical glasses, and so do many adcoms - its not a strike against you unless its an inappropriate design.

 

[LizzyM]

I'll be wearing my glasses too or I wouldn't even see you.

 

[Jdoxis]

The social connotation is that glasses wearing individuals are smarter. Does it have any impact in an interview? maybe, maybe not. There is certainly a cognitive bias, but whether that translates to results is probably inconclusive.

 

[Catalystik]

Do adcoms (unconsciously) hold it against a candidate if they wore glasses?

No way!

Healthcare providers wearing glasses are less likely to get infected when their coughing/sneezing patients aim ejected fomites towards their examiners' eyes.

 

[Moose A Moose]

Rock the spectacles.

 

[Goro]

Do adcoms (unconsciously) hold it against a candidate if they wore glasses?

No. Why would you even think this????

 

[Spifru]

Oh wow I didn't expect such timely responses from adcoms!

I'll be wearing my glasses too or I wouldn't even see you.

I, too, rely on my glasses much more heavily than the average person. At this point they are like part of my body.

Also, that's reassuring to know. At times like this it's nice to be reminded that adcoms (even those at top medical schools) are people too. 🙂

No way!

Healthcare providers wearing glasses are less likely to get infected when their coughing/sneezing patients aim ejected fomites towards their examiners' eyes.

Okay, point taken.

(My interviewer wouldn't try to do that during the interview right??? 😱)

View attachment 224013 Rock the spectacles.

My glasses look exactly like those 😎

No. Why would you even think this????

I thought I had no reason to worry, until my parents pointed out that glasses might be looked upon as unprofessional. Where we used to live (outside of States) contacts were very rarely worn. The more I thought about it the more I started worrying that this society as a whole has a strong preference for contacts in a professional setting. 😕

 

[rxrd]

Don't be insecure about your glasses! Many (most?) people who wear glasses do so from the moment they wake up to the time they go to bed. Nothing to be ashamed of. Some people just don't have the gift of 20/20 vision.

 

[Catalystik]

Oh wow I didn't expect such timely responses from adcoms!

Okay, point taken.

(My interviewer wouldn't try to do that during the interview right??? 😱)

It's never voluntary, but nearly inevitable when you use a tongue blade, especially on kids. With glasses in place, you are always prepared. 😉 And, No. I promise your interviewer won't do this. We know how to cover a cough or sneeze.

 

[Catalystik]

Make sure its a professional pair of glasses

Yah, those rhinestones and neon colors just distract from the point of the interview.

 

[WhiteCoatWonder]

Don't be insecure about your glasses! Many (most?) people who wear glasses do so from the moment they wake up to the time they go to bed. Nothing to be ashamed of. Some people just don't have the gift of 20/20 vision.

true! full disclosure, medical school stole my sight. i didnt need glasses til i got here...lol

to identify with the OP, i did struggle with whether or not to wear my glasses for my ERAS photo. i was trying to look as competent and "hire me-esque" as possible...then i LOL'd at myself for falling for the trap that my glasses would make me look any more capable to people who'd already seen me on paper, and invited me for interviews.

 

[Goro]

I thought I had no reason to worry, until my parents pointed out that glasses might be looked upon as unprofessional. Where we used to live (outside of States) contacts were very rarely worn. The more I thought about it the more I started worrying that this society as a whole has a strong preference for contacts in a professional setting. 😕

Ahhh, parents. They love you, and often do their best out of pure ignorance to destroy your medical career.

There may be others, but the only profession hat I know of where wearing glasses will prevent a career is USAF pilot.

 

[Mwooster]

Hello! First post, let me know if I'm doing this wrong. I have searched the forum but still haven't been able to fight off the neuroticism D:
I have worn glasses since first grade, only tried contacts recently. I can tolerate them but I blink more than usual and my eyes get distractingly irritated... My glasses are normal-looking, rectangular with thin frames.
Would it be more beneficial if I tried harder to get used to contacts?
Do adcoms (unconsciously) hold it against a candidate if they wore glasses?

I wore these glasses without lenses just like Russ to one of my interviews. Got accepted. N=1

 

[frosted2]

This is a new level of neuroticism.

 

[docalicious]

Hello! First post, let me know if I'm doing this wrong. I have searched the forum but still haven't been able to fight off the neuroticism D:
I have worn glasses since first grade, only tried contacts recently. I can tolerate them but I blink more than usual and my eyes get distractingly irritated... My glasses are normal-looking, rectangular with thin frames.
Would it be more beneficial if I tried harder to get used to contacts?
Do adcoms (unconsciously) hold it against a candidate if they wore glasses?

If I were a gambling person, I'd bet your concern is a non-issue, non-conscious or otherwise.

 

[BombsAway]

People used to tell me "you look like a smart kid". After I got laser eye surgery, I never heard those words again. Wear the glasses.

 

[twentyeightmiles]

I wear mine. For what it's worth, they're pretty damn hipster, and I've even gotten a few compliments on them It seemed ridiculous to buy new glasses or learn to wear contacts just for interview season.

 

[Spifru]

This is a new level of neuroticism.

Apparently not new, given these previous threads I have found on the topic!
Glasses for an interview?
Glasses or Contacts for an interview?

I see how my concerns were unnecessary though, thanks!

It's never voluntary, but nearly inevitable when you use a tongue blade, especially on kids. With glasses in place, you are always prepared. 😉 And, No. I promise your interviewer won't do this. We know how to cover a cough or sneeze.

Haha, I knew it is never voluntary, just wanted to keep up the humor.
OK, thanks for the reassurance! Phew!

I wear mine. For what it's worth, they're pretty damn hipster, and I've even gotten a few compliments on them It seemed ridiculous to buy new glasses or learn to wear contacts just for interview season.

Good for you! 🙂 I will wear mine with confidence too!

 

[DameJulie]

It is okay if they are corrective lenses. People wear it to school, job interview, and on professional meeting all the time.

But if you're wearing the purposefully styling glasses (e.g. glitter, costume glasses), then it might be a problem.