How to dress for interview or even just filling out an application

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm worried about what to wear when applying or at an interview. Seems like a suit is too fancy. Would jeans a nice button down shirt and tennis shoes be appropriate? It's been a long time since I've applied for a job and I want to make a good first impression.

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Personally, unless it was a warehouse/laborer type of position, I would never show up in jeans and sneakers. Even though you will be wearing scrubs while working, I would still wear a nice pair of dress slacks with dress shoes and a nice top or sweater. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

There's a lot of ground to be covered in between "slob" and "suit." While you don't have to wear a suit to a CNA interview, there is no excuse for jeans and sneakers. Personally I think the only place sneakers should be worn is the gym!

For the interview I would definitely wear something like a knee-length skirt, a shell top and cardigan and flats. Or dress pants with a cute blouse and a nice sweater. Or a nice printed dress with a blazer and wedges. To fill out an application I'd wear something only *slightly* less dressy than that.

I wouldn't even wear jeans and sneakers to the grocery store, so feel free to take my advice with a grain of salt, I guess.

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Specializes in None yet.

I've been wondering about this too. I commute by bike, and for school I would just get there 15 mins early and put on my scrubs and do my hair. That's what I'm planning on doing once I get a job too, get there early then look pretty. However since first impressions count how do I avoid looking like a sweaty greaseball after riding my bike five miles to get to an interview? I was thinking of leaving my bike at near by businesses and using public restrooms to change like a nac superhero and then walking up to the place I have an interview. Or maybe just keeping my scrub shirt in my bag and changing shirts when I lock my bike up. Any suggestions and thanks in advanced.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, MICU.

I would never wear jeans to an interview I think they are too casual. My first job as a CNA I got an interview on the spot when I went in to fill out my application- I was not expecting that. I was glad I was dressed up. I usually wear some dress pants, heels or flats, and a dressy shirt. Another thing I would recommend is if you have facial jewelry to not wear it. I also worked as a secretary at a nursing home and if people came in to fill out applications with jeans and facial piercings my manager would just throw their applications away without looking at them. Hope that helps. Good luck on the job search!

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My main problem is I don't have dressy slacks. I looked around at stores today but none had any petites. What do you think about khaki pants? My only other options are a sweater dress or dresses that are kinda of fancy that I wear for special occasions. Good know heels will be ok. I was worries that would be weird to wear. Thanks guys! I haven't interviewed in over 10 years so I'm a little lost.

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Specializes in LTC.

Well you could always go to Target and buy a dress or skirt. And you can try TJ Maxx for petites. That's really the only place I can ever get them.

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