Interview Dress??

Jenneu · Apr 9, 2005

if you wear a skirt or dress, pantyhose are a must - no bare legs! Err on the side of being too conservative. I wouldn't wear slacks with a sweater to an interview. For the RN position that I am in now, I wore a suit that had a skirt and pantyhose. Good luck!

J

SusanJean · Apr 9, 2005

I agree - better to err on the side of conservative. If you have a nice professional pantsuit (ie, w/ jacket) that would be ok. A suit w/ skirt or nice conservative dress, would work.

Even if you hate pantyhose, wear them for the interview. Closed toed shoes, too.

You might be overdressed, but it will show those you are interviewing w/ that you care enough to put time and effort into your appearance for the interview.

Make sure you take at least two copies of your resume, one for them and one for yourself to refer to, if needed. Make a list of questions that you can ask if offered the opportunity. (Questions about training, ongoing education, specific responsiblities sure beat those that are only about benefits.)

And, smile:) .

Good luck,

SJ

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

Depends on the position one is going for. One thing to take in to consideration is the dress standard of the facility one is interviewing. As an example my last interview for a staff postion in ER I wore a nice shirt, a tie and a black dress pants. Here a suit and tie would have been sheer over kill as the nurse manager and co-managers wore scrubs everyday. The only people wearing more business attire were the management higher up the food chain so to speak.

Now I am working as a travel nurse and my last interview was on the phone and I was lying in bed with just boxers on. Work the night shift and was expecting a call while I was sleeping.

rj:) :rolleyes:

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2005

I don't really have any "dress" clothes! My current job is "office casual". What color suit should I get? Is that something I can get, say, at Petite Sophisticate? Does it have to be solid color?

Thank you all for your tips!

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2005

Try Dress Barn. They usually have a sale going on around this time of year.

leslie :-D · Apr 10, 2005

I don't really have any "dress" clothes! My current job is "office casual". What color suit should I get? Is that something I can get, say, at Petite Sophisticate? Does it have to be solid color?
Thank you all for your tips!

conservative and understated, neutral colors for the interview. once you get the job then you can get a feel of how others dress.

but for the interview, a first impression is something not to be downplayed.

"petite sophisticate' sounds very appropriate and yes, i would go for a solid color unless it was a very muted, houndstoothy pattern. nothing bold or flashy. at this time of year, off-whites, sage/khaki greens would be appropriate. good luck!

leslie

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 10, 2005

Nice and conservative as other indicated - solid, unobtrusive color probably best. Kohl's is my favorite place to find such things :). From what I've seen in petite sophisticate, they have cute stuff that would probably be appropriate. Sensible shoes, minimum of jewelry.

(IMO, every woman should have an interview-appropriate suit in her closet in case her dream job opportunity comes up and she needs to talk to someone tomorrow . She should look and feel great in it so she can focus on communicating knowing she looks faboo.)

http://success.shoreline.edu/career/CarreerNewPDFs/TotalProsStudent/InterviewDress.pdf

Here's some good advice.

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2005

You guys are really awesome, thank you so much! Yes, I tried Kohl's today! I was suprised to find that they had very few appropriate outfits! Actually, I never actually found the "career" area. Hmmm. I usually have no problem finding that part in the winter. Petite Sophisticate will likely be more expensive, but worth it, like you said.

On the subject of hair.....I have strait brown hair and a widow's peak that looks really elegant when pulled back taut into a low ponytail. Can I do this, gelling it back or do you think it will look too severe? I have no bangs, so the only other thing I could do is pull it back more loosely, but then I think it will look too casual. What to do?

Since the interview is for a clinical position in a hospital, can it really look TOO neat??

SusanJean · Apr 10, 2005

You guys are really awesome, thank you so much! Yes, I tried Kohl's today! I was suprised to find that they had very few appropriate outfits! Actually, I never actually found the "career" area. Hmmm. I usually have no problem finding that part in the winter. Petite Sophisticate will likely be more expensive, but worth it, like you said.
On the subject of hair.....I have strait brown hair and a widow's peak that looks really elegant when pulled back taut into a low ponytail. Can I do this, gelling it back or do you think it will look too severe? I have no bangs, so the only other thing I could do is pull it back more loosely, but then I think it will look too casual. What to do?
Since the interview is for a clinical position in a hospital, can it really look TOO neat??

If you can spend the $, a good suit in the closet is good to have. It can be dressed up or down and used for a variety of events. Stay w/ something conservative and it will last years longer than a trendy suit.

I vote for the hair back into the tight pony tail. Sounds like a good look to me and also, you are comfortable w/ it and feel good w/ it like that.

BTW, let us know how it all works out. :rolleyes:

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2005

Ok, ok, good, I have the look down.....now, another question.......

My interview is for Diagnostic Imaging O/C Support Assistant. I was called on Wed for the interview. However, I noticed on the hospital website, they now have a position (posted Fri) for Diagnostic Imaging Unit Clerk with comparable requirements. It pays more for some reason and is part time. Two questions:

1). Is it appropriate to go to the interview for the one position and mention that I saw the other position and inquire about it as well? Atleast ask if I could eventually move into that type of position?

2) Because the position I am interviewing for is O/C and the other is PT with rotating days, could I possibly do both? Could the hospital hire me for both positions or is that a no-no?

SusanJean · Apr 10, 2005

Ok, ok, good, I have the look down.....now, another question.......
My interview is for Diagnostic Imaging O/C Support Assistant. I was called on Wed for the interview. However, I noticed on the hospital website, they now have a position (posted Fri) for Diagnostic Imaging Unit Clerk with comparable requirements. It pays more for some reason and is part time. Two questions:
1). Is it appropriate to go to the interview for the one position and mention that I saw the other position and inquire about it as well? Atleast ask if I could eventually move into that type of position?
2) Because the position I am interviewing for is O/C and the other is PT with rotating days, could I possibly do both? Could the hospital hire me for both positions or is that a no-no?

Are you interviewing w/ HR or w/ the hiring supervisor?

If HR, I would ask about the positions, lines of promotion, etc.

If w/ the supervisor, I would cool my jets, esp if they are looking to fill the opening and keep it filled.