Best clothes for interviews

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Well it seems like a forever since I've been to an interview being in school for so long. Just graduated, passed and licensed. Now I can't seem to put a simple clothing combonation together for my first hospital interview tomarrow. So used to wearing junk to class and uniforms to clinical. What do y'all think may be best for interview clothing? I bought an awsome pair of grey dress slacks, have a pair of plain black flats, and don't know what to pair it with for a top or blouse. I'm not sure if the conservative grey and black look is a professional look, or should I wear a conservative longer skirt and taylored blouse. I can still hear my instructor telling us for our interviews, dress as business like and professional as possible. Hope I make the right choice.

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Specializes in ICU.

Honestly, I've never gone wrong with a navy blue or black skirt suit - up-to-date but classic styling (nothing too edgy). White or pastel shell or soft (but not frilly) blouse (no cleavage please), nude hose, and pumps with a purse to match. While it's not the trendiest, remember that the person doing the hiring may be your mom's (or grandma's) age. Wear something your mom would approve of.

Since you probably don't have time (or maybe money, since you're just out of school) before tomorrow, I would suggest the skirt and tailored blouse. Do you have a dressy suit-type jacket or blazer you could add?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Dark colors are usually good...pants or skirt. But wear a pop of color to stand out. Maybe as a belt or a bright shirt under a coat. Just something then all dark colors.

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I swear by a plain black suit. Paired with a classic blue button down shirt. You can't go wrong with this. You'll look simple and put together. Good luck with the interview. My black suit helped me land my first RN position last week!

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

I hope I can appear the same as I did when I leave house. I live in Louisiana and right now the heat index w/humidity has been 105 to 110. I can see myself riding up the elevator to the med surg 7th floor and my bangs will be pasted to my forehead and sweat on my upper lip, good Lord y'all. I don't think anything pairs well with that look! I don't think I can do a jacket or blazer. Should I wear any kind of necklace at all? I have a beautiful short string of 5mm black pearls my mother gave me that would look so polished with a pretty floral chocolate/tan and maroon chiffon blouse. Man, I'm really starting to get stressed up about this business. And.. I'll go to bed and then some other vision of a better outfit will sneak up on me. Did that happen to you too. Maybe I feel weird because I'm not going into this hospital in uniform and seeing patients as a student nurse. It's an interview, my first real deal here with a 3 week old license. I'm almost 50 yo and I'm still a baby nurse!

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, PSYCH, MEDSURG, MR/DD.

soooooo how did it go?

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

It didn't go yet. Appt is for tomarrow wednesday afternoon. Haven't been successful getting to the drowsey stage, so now I might be pulling some drawers lookin for the Benadryl hoping for this (:yawn:)

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

The black pearls sound lovely, but they might be distracting. They might start the interviewer to day dream about you wearing them to work, getting caught on something, and black pearls bouncing all over the floor!

I also wouldn't want to draw away attention from my face with the pearls. You want to have good eye contact during the entire interview.

Good luck! Let us know how you made out.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I hope I can appear the same as I did when I leave house. I live in Louisiana and right now the heat index w/humidity has been 105 to 110. I can see myself riding up the elevator to the med surg 7th floor and my bangs will be pasted to my forehead and sweat on my upper lip, good Lord y'all. I don't think anything pairs well with that look! I don't think I can do a jacket or blazer. Should I wear any kind of necklace at all? I have a beautiful short string of 5mm black pearls my mother gave me that would look so polished with a pretty floral chocolate/tan and maroon chiffon blouse. Man, I'm really starting to get stressed up about this business. And.. I'll go to bed and then some other vision of a better outfit will sneak up on me. Did that happen to you too. Maybe I feel weird because I'm not going into this hospital in uniform and seeing patients as a student nurse. It's an interview, my first real deal here with a 3 week old license. I'm almost 50 yo and I'm still a baby nurse!

Ha wear your hair in a bun then with the bangs pinned back. We don't generally get that hot here in MI. Can you find a short sleeve blazer? I have seen some nice ones before that were short sleeves. The necklace sounds nice but are you a nervous person? If you will fiddle with it to much then don't bother or what the other poster said could happen (pearls everywhere)

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

just got home from interview. Went "too good to be true" well. Yes, bunned the hair, sprayed bangs back, did not wear the pearls. The DON was outstanding. Everything she discussed and presented was awsome. She treated me like I was a special guest offering coffee and talked candidly about her early days as a nurse. She was inputting information about me as she was explaining what I would be entitled to and how they orientate and scheduling etc. She broke the barriers to even give me any chance to be nervous at all. Then the Debbie Downer.. She has three other applicants to interview so I won't hear from her for a week or more. I really wanted the interview to end with and offer, but she is following her protocol and I'm happy this experience went so well. Close but no cigar yet. Thank y'all for your fashion tips!

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It sounds like she was giving you an orientation more than an interview!

good luck!

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Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

Sounds like it went very well! Hope you hear back soon!

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