Interview Attire Recommendations

[synergy89]

Hello, I am a 21 year old male, new graduate RN. I am interviewing at a Level 1 Trauma Center/Magnet Status hospital for an internship/residency program for new graduates. Upon completion of the program a job is guaranteed. I have an interview coming up soon and was wondering what to wear. The hospital never informed me on dress attire.

Business casual? I was thinking dress pants w/polo type button up shirt and tie. Is a suit necessary?

[catamounts303]

Gosh touchy subject ......

[groovy jeff, RN]

catamounts303- please forgive me for the blasting; it wasn't very nice.

i was an hr guy before i was a nurse and i just can't for the life of me understand why there is so much confusion on this topic???? you are asking someone to give you money and benefits and all they have to go by is your resume, transcripts, etc. and their first impression. always step out with your best foot forward, period! don't chew gum, don't take your cell phone to the interview, don't call the hr guy "dude", don't smell like you just smoked a pack of cigarettes, etc. just wear a suit and tie; it doesn't matter what their dress code is, they're not trying to impress you.

also do this: ask for a business card when you leave the interview. go directly to hallmark and buy a thank you card; send it that day. if ten people, equal in professional abilities, interviewed for that job, 5 were in a suit and tie, and one of those five sent a thank you card, who do you think is going to get the job??

again i apologize for being harsh. do you know the difference between god and myself? god never thinks he's me.........

sincerely,

groovy jeff

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Post away with your best ideas for appropriate attire.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Threads merged.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

While I am not in HR (I am an assistant dean). I have interviewed hundreds of people over the years. Always dress to impress -- as the posts above indicate.

If you do not own a suit, a nice pair of dress khakis/gray slacks with a navy blue blazer (with button-down shirt and tie) is acceptable. Cover the tats, and remove multiple piercings. You want to be remembered for what you say and your experience --- not your ink or nose ring.

It is perfectly OK to be better dressed than the folks in HR. You do NOT want to be less 'dressy' than the HR person interviewing you.

[Rick Walters]

I am the staffing coordinator for a large hospital. Although a suit isn't required - those who wear one are remembered.

Groovy Jeff hits the nail on the head - We see so many people all competing for the one or two opening we have you want us to remember who you are. The thank you card is a big plus - it keeps your name in the forefront.

[danegerous, BSN, RN]

When I interviewed for each of the two positions (both of which I have received), I wore a real nice, professional black suit. I wore a light blue button-up shirt underneath it with a "power tie", which was either gold or maroon. I wore black dress shoes, and since it was the middle of a Chicago winter both times, I wore a 3/4 length wool dress coat.

This ensemble gave me a boatload of confidence and I think that came through in the interviews. In one instance, when I landed my job as an ICU/CCU nurse straight out of school, the manager AND HR rep told me they were impressed that I dressed so professionally, when most don't.

All I know is that I will continue to wear a nice suit for each and every interview.

[Doubledee]

I have to amend an earlier posting in a similar posting a few years ago. I've always been pretty much a suit guy for interviews. A blazer with khakis was a little more casual but still acceptable.

During a recent job search, I had to take a few interviews right after work. I let them know I'd be wearing scrubs. The interviewer was more interested in meeting me than in what I wore.

Of course, when I had the day off, I wore the suit.

[Sockeye]

Interesting.

In Canada and Australia you dress up for the interview by wearing pants. I mean ANY pants to hide the hairy legs. Blue jeans and polo are perfectly fine.

If you were to show up for the inteview wearing suit it would generate more attention and afterthoughts than you'd want.

[dizzyheadspin]

Popularity wins. Its just reality. A suit may unexpectedly act as a deterrent. If you look better without the jacket that you have, go with a shirt and tie. If you look like the "dork who wore the suit to the interview", it may not score extra points.

That being said, I don't care if you wear a suit or a polo shirt as long as you are clean and pressed. Most units feel the same way about it.