Appropriate Shoes for Interview

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I am a partial foot amputee (missing all toes on one foot as well as part of foot). I am able to wear tennis shoes and basically hikers. Heels are impossible as well as flats. There just isn't enough foot left for flats. I passed my nursing boards and now will begin interviewing. Hikers and tennies seem way too dressed down, but I'm at a loss for any other options. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer not to mention my foot because nobody would notice as long as I can wear my orthotic toe piece. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Specializes in med-surg, telemetry.

You could wear neat-looking scrubs with newish tennis shoes. This is considered professional attire for us. Or you could wear what you would wear to any other "business casual" function. Good luck!

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Wearing scrubs to an interview is ridiculous and unprofessional.

Wear a businiess suit. Keep the pants slightly long, with nicely kept black leather tennis shoes underneath. You will probably be more comfortable in the interview if you are not worried so much about a shoe slipping off, just keep your attention off your feet. Just don't wear scrubs! My manager would laugh you off the floor.

Or, since nursing interviews are not the longest, see if there is a pair of mid-dress shoes that you can deal with for that short time. I am blanking on what to call them...but ones that lace up and would be more dressed up than athletic shoes and but not quite fancy. Or nice flat boots that would keep your foot in them? I never wear heels to an interview personally becuase I hate them and it is not necessary. Not all nice shoes are skimpy. There has to be more options out there that you can pull off for interviews only, then slip back into your tennis shoes as soon as you hit the parking lot!

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i have some tennis shoes that look like dress shoes if not looked at closely. i am a cheap shoe buyer so payless is usually a first stop for me. i would pick a tennis shoe with the least amount of detail possible and a really matte finish because the detail and shine would bring attention to your shoes.

http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuid=069602065&productid=65145&subcatid=cat10288&catid=cat10088&lotid=069602&category=&catdisplayname=womens+

[color=#ff4400]http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuid=031888080&productid=52869&subcatid=cat10288&catid=cat10088&lotid=031888&catdisplayname=womens+

[color=#ff4400]

or for a little better shoe:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7644458/color/3

http://www.zappos.com/keds-champion-leather-cvo-black-leather

http://www.zappos.com/aetrex-frances-textured-leather-strap-black

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Specializes in LTC.

I agree with those that suggested a nice looking pair of black tennis shoes. I'd hope that most interviewers aren't checking out your shoes.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I would never wear tennis shoes to an interview. I'd go to Famous Footwear and try on shoes and ankle boots until you find one you're happy with, that covers as much of your foot as you want. Like another poster said, you just have to wear them at the interview, and can pop your tennies back on in the car afterwards.

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

Actually, in my area I have been informed by recruiters, "please wear scrubs and be prepared for a group interview as well as up to 4 hours shadowing on the unit with staff and educator when the manager finishes with you. This is the new way to weed out in the Balto/DC Metro area. Went to HR at 1100 for that interview and left the hospital at 1600.

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Actually, in my area I have been informed by recruiters, "please wear scrubs and be prepared for a group interview as well as up to 4 hours shadowing on the unit with staff and educator when the manager finishes with you. This is the new way to weed out in the Balto/DC Metro area. Went to HR at 1100 for that interview and left the hospital at 1600.

Very interesting!

Unless the OP is specifically instructed that this type of interview will take place, however, I agree with those advising against scrubs at an interview.

I'm editing to add that I actually have worn scrubs to an interview a couple of times. I told hiring manager that I would be coming straight from work and asked if it would be ok to wear scrubs to the interview, and she agreed that it would be fine. So there are exceptions to wearing business attire to an interview.

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

What about some sort of oxford-type shoe? Some of those are made to be very comfortable, yet still look dressy enough that you could wear them fairly unobtrusively in an interview setting.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, School Nurse.

Due to foot issues, this is what I wear in black suede: San Antonio Shoes - Products and Styles Husband calls them "nun shoes."

I wear black pants with black tights, so they don't stick out.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Agree with the oxfords or a matte black leather tennie. Have you considered a nice black boot with a low heel?

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I am a partial foot amputee (missing all toes on one foot as well as part of foot). I am able to wear tennis shoes and basically hikers. Heels are impossible as well as flats. There just isn't enough foot left for flats. I passed my nursing boards and now will begin interviewing. Hikers and tennies seem way too dressed down, but I'm at a loss for any other options. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer not to mention my foot because nobody would notice as long as I can wear my orthotic toe piece. Any advice would be appreciated.

There should be options of leather tie up (flat) dress shoes that would work. Shoes that are similar to what someone would wear with a suit (man or woman). Not everyone is meant to wear flats or heels due to style or comfort.

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