Interview Attire

[combinate]

For a male entry level RN interview:

I have appropriate dress shoes/belt and silk or light wool dress pants. Then, I have a one-tone, button-down, silk shirt with short sleeves and collar that goes well with the pants. Is that ok, or would it be better to wear long sleeves and a tie? And, if wearing long sleeves and a tie, do you recommend wearing a coat (maybe a blue blazer)?

[llg, PhD, RN]

If it's hot weather, I don't think people would mind the short sleeves or expect a jacket -- especially if you are wearing nice pants, shirt, and tie. If the weather isn't hot, I'd go with the jacket.

As a 2nd option ...perhaps you just carry the jacket and put it on after you get inside the air-conditioned building. (Get their early enough to cool down before putting it on.) Many buildings are cool enough for a jacket even when it is 100 outside.

[dah doh, BSN, RN]

I interview so many that I can tell you that I don't usually remember pants because it's the shirt & tie I see for 20-40 minutes above the desktop. Except if those pants are hideous or inappropriate!

I recommend long sleeve dress shirt & tie, slack, dressier shoes. Suit jacket is optional. Agree with above as you can always put on jacket once you cool off as the buildings are all air conditioned. It is best to put your best foot forward in an interview especially if you are a new grad!

[Ruger8mm]

Long sleeve and tie. I personally vote for a full suit.

[combinate]

Thank you all. I chose the blue blazer (silk or light wool as per dress pants; dressy but subtle) and tie. I saw one other candidate at this "recruitment event" (also male). He wore similar colours, but more of a "dress-down khaki" look and without a blazer. So, I would have fit in fine without the coat, but one never knows if it might be appreciated, even subconsciously, and help my candidacy somehow. I'll remember your suggestions.

I had called a hiring leader about the recruitment event. Someone else called me back and arranged for me to attend the first of three blocks of meetings with candidates for the critical care units. I explained that I have one more semester of nursing school, but I think we both failed to clarify all the details. The guy I talked to met with me on the way in and showed me to the event. I saw him on the way out and learned that he was finishing a two-month contract. He had gathered my resume a couple days before for the recruiters, but they said they would not be hiring students at this event. They toured me briefly through NICU and talked about their student clinical job programs and their graduate nurse programs (the latter starting after my semester). Therefore, it has to serve as an informational interview for me, and I can now focus on application for a graduate nurse position (8-12 weeks training at this hosp.).