Do you always wear a suit to an interview???

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I went to an interview almost two weeks ago and I swear I heard two different groups of women laughing and saying something like "Did you see what she's wearing???!!" Maybe I'm paranoid and they were talking about somebody else, but I didn't see anyone else wearing anything out of place.

I'm an LPN and I've interviewed for LTC and for a medical clinic. Is a suit over-dressed?

I have another interview tomorrow for assisted living and not sure what to wear now. I was thinking I could wear the pants from my suit with a nice top or a cardigan & nice top.

What do you think????

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Specializes in ER.

I always dress very professionally for interviews. My expensive slacks, silk blouse, and a suit jacket. I don't wear a matching suit (don't own one)

We live in a casual society these days. People dress like slobs for weddings and funerals even. I would ignore those nincompoops and dress for success.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Always dress professionally. Always.

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From my personal experience in healthcare it doesn't have to be a suit, but it does have to be nice. I usually go with a nice blouse and knee length skirt. The difference between healthcare and tech that I've found is the little details like the shoes and jewelry. If it wouldn't be safe on the floor is not safe for the interview. I had a DON once look at my boots and comment on how glad she was they were not open toe, but next time, no heel. Since then I've gone with close toed flats, stud earrings, and called it good.

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Any interviews I've been on for nursing they have specified what I should wear. Two said business casual and the other said wear scrubs since I would be shadowing at the same time. If they hadn't told me what to wear I would wear a suit.

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Suit, unless given specific instructions otherwise.

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Oh, I know what I forgot. No perfume. Just say no to the perfume.

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Specializes in ER.

You can always wear your bathroom, bathroom mom! ;)

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I wore a suit to my last interview. My next I think I'll go sans jacket. I have a nice 300$ burberry shirt I want to show off a little more, haha. Just dress in really nice business attire - no polos or patterns, please.

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Thanks so much for the advice! I have the suit so I should probably just wear it and be proud of how awesome I look in it. Or whatever you're supposed to feel in a suit. I usually feel like a big dork.

As far as wearing my bathrobe, that leads to way more questions. I have to accessorize with a full coffee mug and then I start wondering if I need to bring coffee for the interviewer as well. Will they appreciate the gesture or will they think that I'm a coffee snob and my coffee is better than theirs? Knowing me I'd accidently bring the one with the picture of a hand flipping people off on the bottom. I don't think you can flip off your interviewer -even with a coffee cup. Better to stick with traditional interview attire I think. Um, but thanks :)

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Professional is always best!!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

As a male, NO, I do not wear a suit to a job interview unless the job I am interviewing for is administrative or managerial. Instead, I wear business casual with the emphasis on BUSINESS; button shirt, preferrably long sleeved, dress slacks, no hiking boots. If it is cold out I wear a sports coat (or a parka dependent upon the month). Polished shoes, nice belt, clean and smelling neutral if not good, combed hair, trimmed beard, etc.

When they look at me I want they to immediately believe that I am mature, competent, interested in details, and in control of myself and my image.

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