Interview outfit--is this ok?

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I have an interview for a nurse externship in 2 weeks. I was thinking of wearing a black, v-neck cashmere sweater, a black pencil skirt, and heels. With the appropriate accessories, of course (diamond stud earrings, a small diamond cross necklace, my watch...). Is this an appropriate interview outfit, or do I need to go get a suit?

Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

3 inch heels? Sounds a bit high to me. Be careful if you have to walk around for any length of time, which is often the case. Especially with the pencil skirt, I can see high heels being a downfall (literally.)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

3 inches is rather high, IMO, unless you're 4'11". I'd go down to 1 inch or less. Last thing you want to do is trip over your own feet, or tower over people.

And regarding whether to dress to appeal to a panel of men or women, it's always better to err on the side of conservative/reserved. After all, you may end up with a panel made up of both ;)

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Specializes in FNP.

As long as it is conservative, that should be fine. I do agree that a blazer is preferable.

Edited b/c I missed the 3" heels. I'd have to see them. Something like spectator pumps w/ 3" heels OK, but if we are talking something strappy or sexy, uh no.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I agree with the others. If the outfit is not too sexy looking, it's OK. But the 3-inch heels will make you look impractical and perhaps even foolish. My colleagues and I (middle-aged, experienced nurses in leadership positions) always shake our heads at the interviewees and new employees who think those are appropriate shoes for work at a hospital.

Such shoes scream, "The wearer has a lot to learn." Get yourself a pair of sensible shoes and save the sexy ones for parties.

llg - extern program coordinator

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Specializes in LTC.
The v-neck is not very low...kind of your standard, non-cleavage v-neck. The skirt comes to my knee. The heels are 3 inches high.

I am trying to figure out how to add color--I used to work in the beauty industry, so all my dress clothes are black! I looked through my closet and I do have a silver colored silk blouse and a black jacket in there. Would that be a better choice with the skirt?

I always wear black to interviews. Actually for my HR interview for my job I wore a red sweater because it was two days before christmas lol.

I feel I look like a man in blazers so I stay away from jackets.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

Hmmm, I love high heels, but I can't wear the spiky ones...:lol2: granny tottering around on her toes heh heh. But I do have a pair of 3-inchers in my cupboard, the thicker, chunkier type of heel. Gives me some height when I need it. If your shoes are the spiky variety OP, and if you're tall to start out with, leave them in the cupboard and go for something a bit lower.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
If interviewing for a panel of men, dont be afraid to dress a little sexy. If interviewing for a panel of women, dress professional and reserved, or you will just invoke jealous catty attitudes.

Dont worry so much about wearing the perfect outfit. Remember to bring your brain and you will be fine. Good Luck.

You know you just totally contradicted yourself here.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.
My colleagues and I (middle-aged, experienced nurses in leadership positions) always shake our heads at the interviewees and new employees who think those are appropriate shoes for work at a hospital.

Such shoes scream, "The wearer has a lot to learn." Get yourself a pair of sensible shoes and save the sexy ones for parties.

llg - extern program coordinator

Really? Even for an interview? I would never, ever wear the heels to work in a hospital, but I always thought they were fairly standard for interviews. This is why I asked this question in the first place; obviously what is expected for job interviews in some industries is not really acceptable in other industries.

The shoes are black on black spectator pumps with a medium width heel. Not spikey or strappy. And this is a tough one for me because ALL my dress shoes are high heels! Darn it! I need to seriously think this over...

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Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.

Food for thought - would you feel awkward or self-conscious on a tour of the unit with your heel clicks echoing down the hall, following your potential unit manager whose feet may not be making a sound? I probably would.

I have a pair of basic, rubber soled, low (1") Rockport pumps that are just enough to complete a professional look without being obvious or drawing unnecessary attention with how loud they were when I wore them to my outpatient business-casual rotation.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.
If interviewing for a panel of men, dont be afraid to dress a little sexy. If interviewing for a panel of women, dress professional and reserved, or you will just invoke jealous catty attitudes.

Dont worry so much about wearing the perfect outfit. Remember to bring your brain and you will be fine. Good Luck.

I disagree, if a woman comes to an interview dressing sexy it makes me think she's doesn't have much else to sell or is trying to distract me. The job is nursing, so sexiness is unimportant.

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Specializes in MR/DD.

Personally I would not wear heels. The interviews I have been to usually involve some sort of tour and I have even been offered time to shadow another nurse to get a feel for the environment. Keeping this in mind I always wear quiet comfortable flats.

If I am interviewing at a hospital (working with adults) .. I would dress clean and put my hair up with very little jewelry.

If it is for a physicians office, I would opt to look a little more dressy.

for peds.. I would choose colorful.. ( not too much of course) "happy" clothing.

.. okay you get the point :)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

OP, look at it this way. You have one chance to make an impression with your potential employer, and you want it to be a favorable enough impression that they call you back. With the tons of nurses out there looking for work, there's no wiggle room for you; if you fail to make a good impression, the employer has plenty of other candidates they can call. So how you dress and present yourself at interviews is very important, now more so than ever.

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