Interview attire

westieluv · Sep 19, 2011

I usually dress business casual for an interview. Unless the interview is a long distance from where I have to park, I don't worry about comfortable shoes just for an interview. Wear whatever matches your outfit and looks good. I have worn mules, dressier clogs, and flats to interviews paired with dress pants and a nice top, and they must have been okay, because I have almost always gotten the job. The comfortable shoe issue comes after you land the job and realize that you are going to be on your feet for 8-12 hours at a time. :yeah:

Jdjmj · Sep 19, 2011

Thanks for the tips!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 19, 2011

I disagree with Westieluv in that I strongly recommend comfortable shoes. Sometimes, an interview will include a tour -- and if you are walking around in a pair of very high heels, or if your feet hurt, etc. that may make it more difficult for you to appear comfortable and confident on the tour. Also, anything too extreme in style is risky. The interviewer may love them ... or might hate them and/or think they show poor judgment ... and you don't want that to influence the outcome of the interview.

Interviews are stressful enough without adding any wardrobe issues to deal with. Be comfortable in your clothes and shoes so that you can focus on the interview itself and be able to look and act comfortable with ease.

I recommend something with a low to medium heel that you can comfortably tour the facility in -- nothing too outrageous or extreme in any way. You want the interviewer to be focusing on you, not on your shoes. And you want to be focused on the interview itself, not on your feet.

And yes ...sometimes experienced interviewers notice such things. I have seen some people interview in extremely impractical shoes and thought, "She's young and doesn't know any better. Shes more concerned about looking fashionable and/or sexy than practical. etc." Is that the impression you want to make on an interviewer?

Jdjmj · Sep 19, 2011

llg, I agree that high heels probably aren't the best idea. I never wear them so I'm not very comfortable or confident in them. I will probably go for a pair of low heels like you suggest.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 20, 2011

IMO, either flats or a very low and sturdy heel. Understated is better than flashy.

And interviewers DO notice what is on your feet: one once commented on how my open-toed shoes were not appropriate for the hospital floor. I did get the job in the end...but had I been a candidate that they were on-the-fence about, it probably would have pushed me over that fence to the "do not hire" side. And it's a lesson I'm taking with me whenever I go on that next interview.

Good luck!

westieluv · Sep 21, 2011

Well, I sure didn't mean to imply that one should go to a job interview wearing stilettos or anything, and I didn't expect it to be taken that way. All I was saying is that you can be comfortable and still be stylish. I have never worn heels to an interview, and I wouldn't recommend it. I have worn comfortable, stylish shoes though. Stylish doesn't always mean towering heels, lol, and professional doesn't always have to mean frumpy. If you wear a nice skirt or dress pants, a stylish shirt or jacket, and stylish but lower-heeled, comfortable shoes, what's wrong with that? I have had a lot of success with interviews in the nursing profession and that's how I always dress for them. Even if you do go on a walking tour, that doesn't mean that you have to wear orthopedic shoes, and I don't think that that's what anyone expects. As long as you are comfortable enough to walk comfortably and safely and can forget about what you are wearing and focus entirely on the interview, it really doesn't matter what kind of shoes you wear.

27400 · Sep 24, 2011

Oxfords OR "stylish" loafers OR plain semi-pointy flats = Trendy Classic. I bought $20 black Oxfords from Walmart and they match everything I wear and they're comfy too. I'm a new grad so I can't afford anything fancy. And if you like heels, there's oxfords with heels too! They're cute. Interview outfit usually consist of pinstriped pants, thickstrap tank top with black/blue cardigan over it. I would go for a suit, but jackets never fit me properly. I figure, as long as you look presentable... you're good to go.