I feel a bit awkward asking for help, but hopefully someone can give me some feedback because I am very stressed out about what to wear. I have an interview for a job on a Med-Surg/Tele unit and I have a little over 2 years of experience.
For my first RN interview, I loved the outfit I had and felt very confident. After trying unsuccessfully to recreate the look, I need advice if what I picked is okay. A little background: I had a baby in January and my belly is still very squishy, which is why I am having trouble finding something that fits right. I tried to do a pencil skirt with a nice blouse but I just have awkward rolls everywhere.
I picked out a dress that I think looks nice, but I never think of dresses for interviews, which is why I am apprehensive.
This is the dress:
I am also pairing it with a black cardigan because I don't think sleeveless is okay for an interview.
Anyway, what do you think? Should I continue looking (I still have a week left) or stop stressing? If you guys have any suggestions I'll try them. I feel very self conscious because my figure has changed a lot with the last baby, so ANY feedback is appreciated because my husband is probably too kind
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is clueless about attire. I just had an interview and found an awesome outfit that I wore (from Kohls!). Now I'm told that there will be three more interviews in the process, and now I have to go back to the store.
Grrr!! When interviews are at different facilities no one will know you have a single designated "interview outfit". But multiple interviews necessitate multiple outfits...😆
That dress is so cute. I actually said "OOH!" when I saw it. Maybe instead of a cardigan you can do a blazer? A blazer seems more formal IMO, although I don't know how a blazer would look with that dress. Make sure you wear closed toe shoes with a modest heel and nylons too!
Also, you can try shapewear like spanx like another poster suggested. I bought some for my interview and it make me look a lot smoother and made my blazer fit better. I got the kind that is like a body suit that had leg holes and also had shoulder straps to avoid any inconvenient rolling up/down. I got it at target for like 22 dollars.
Grrr!! When interviews are at different facilities no one will know you have a single designated "interview outfit". But multiple interviews necessitate multiple outfits.
I haven't had a second interview yet, but if someone different is interviewing you, can't you wear the same outfit? It seems unlikely that the original interviewer would see you or even remember what you wore. I don't want to buy another outfit too!
I wasn't able to find a suit jacket that I liked... it seemed that in order for it to fit in the middle, the shoulders and arms are too big for my frame.
I have the same problem. I have a blazer that fits in the shoulders and arms, but is tight around the middle so I wore spanx to compensate. It helped a lot. I did some research online and read that for women, as long as a blazer fits in the arms and shoulders, if it's a little tight in the middle it's okay. Just leave it open. I'm not sure others would agree though
I haven't had a second interview yet, but if someone different is interviewing you, can't you wear the same outfit? It seems unlikely that the original interviewer would see you or even remember what you wore. I don't want to buy another outfit too!
I only bought one outfit when I did interviews. I'm not going to spend oodles of money if I'm interviewing at completely different places where no one from my last interview will see me lol.
Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.
Wow that's a cute dress!!! I insist that you buy it!
But not for a job interview. I used to work in staffing, and I can tell you that a suit (or similar silhouette) is the way to go. No flared skirts or anything festive. And if you have the choice between pants suit and skirt suit, choose the skirt. Most HR colleagues of mine insisted upon skirt suits.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I haven't had a second interview yet, but if someone different is interviewing you, can't you wear the same outfit? It seems unlikely that the original interviewer would see you or even remember what you wore. I don't want to buy another outfit too!
Yes, if someone different is interviewing you. If there will be the same people, you need as different outfit b
Cute dress. I, however, am a firm believer that every nurse should own a well fitting suit. At every stage. Nothing too tight, but it's still
Okay to be stylish. Black, grey, or navy are acceptable colors. Usually, stay away from red undershirts. Pastels and white are always nice. Stay away from heels that are too high. A kitten heel in a neutral color. Simple make-up and a simple hair style. A string of pearls or other non Distracting jewelry is appropriate. You want the interview team to be paying attention to you and your experience, and taking you seriously. I sat on my unit's interview committee and anything less than a suit and a resume printed on formal a stationary made us all kind of go "hrm, did this person actually take this seriously?" We just saw it as unprofessional. If you insist on wearing the dress, id put a blazer and nylons. If you have a New York and Company in your area, they offer nurses 15% off. You can also go to a consignment shop Or thrift store for nice black slacks that are affordable since your body is changing. During nursing school, my school's instructors made it clear that you're taken far more seriously when you're wearing a suit and that business casual isn't appropriate for an interview.
Cute dress. I, however, am a firm believer that every nurse should own a well fitting suit. At every stage. Nothing too tight, but it's still
Okay to be stylish. Black, grey, or navy are acceptable colors. Usually, stay away from red undershirts. Pastels and white are always nice. Stay away from heels that are too high. A kitten heel in a neutral color. Simple make-up and a simple hair style. A string of pearls or other non Distracting jewelry is appropriate. You want the interview team to be paying attention to you and your experience, and taking you seriously. I sat on my unit's interview committee and anything less than a suit and a resume printed on formal a stationary made us all kind of go "hrm, did this person actually take this seriously?" We just saw it as unprofessional. If you insist on wearing the dress, id put a blazer and nylons. If you have a New York and Company in your area, they offer nurses 15% off. You can also go to a consignment shop Or thrift store for nice black slacks that are affordable since your body is changing. During nursing school, my school's instructors made it clear that you're taken far more seriously when you're wearing a suit and that business casual isn't appropriate for an interview.
oops I wore a red shell under my blazer to my first interview yesterday
Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.
I like the top and blazer; they will look great with a black pencil skirt if the blacks match. I'm not digging the shoe, however. I think you need a regular heel as opposed to the wedge.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
...if you have the choice between pants suit and skirt suit, choose the skirt. Most HR colleagues of mine insisted upon skirt suits.
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses
May I ask what region you live in? I ask because I, a CA native, have never heard this before.
However, my daughter, who attends a university in the South (almost East, VA) told me she has been taught this. It made me think this may be regional. But if I'm wrong, I definitely want to know!! 😀
vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN
2,717 Posts
Grrr!! When interviews are at different facilities no one will know you have a single designated "interview outfit". But multiple interviews necessitate multiple outfits...😆