Interview wear - summer version?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

A friend is contemplating what to wear for a summer interview - I definitely subscribe to the "always wear a suit!" notion, but was wondering if a suit jacket/skirt would be too casual?

It's been 90 degrees out lately here, and she is thinking something like this jacket and the matching dress at the bottom, but would that be considered "professional" enough (with hose, flats)? I'm having my doubts, and still feel like a black suit slacks/long sleeve suit jacket is the way to go, but I also completely understand her not wanting to be sweating like a pig and looking a mess by the time she gets there!

Any thoughts, opinions? Any help is greatly appreciated! :)

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

That is actually really stylish AND professional. I've worn similar items to interviews and I've always been complimented...and hired lol...I've seen many managers wearing similar styles also. If it's 90+ degrees out, a black pants suit is just too much.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I lOVE that. i just interveiwed and wore the long sleeve suit and pants and I was a little hot.... (not so much it showed)... because even with air conditioning...your nervous!! haha. thankfully i got the job. Best of luck to her and i think that is a very professional outfit. i wish i would have seen that earlier .

if she does go with the suit i wore a cami underneath it and only had the cami on until i got to the parking lot.

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I wore almost that exact outfit and I got the job too. I also have interviewed in scrubs and gotten a job. So I think it depends on the attire of the place you are interviewing. I would never do anything but black when I was a paralegal because I know attorneys love the professional suit attire. And I knew that psych hospitals usually have a pretty lax(street clothes) attire so I didnt want to be over dressed.

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Ooo, very Michelle Obama, very now, very hip and VERY appropriate! Also reminds me of some of the suits Princess Diana used to wear (I'm a confirmed clothes horse and these two women knew/know how to dress IMHO!).

Now you've got me wanting one - I don't own a nice "summer" suit, and I now live in Texas!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I wish I had a top like that for my interview on Friday. That looks very professional to me. The one thing I am contemplating is wearing my "light" brown pants suit to the interview. I know greys, navy, and blacks are the way to go but it's just too hot.

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A suit doesn't mean pants only. The right skirt is every bit as professional as pants. And of course, the wrong pants can be very unprofessional. It just depends on the cut and the fabric.

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i wear a short sleeve button down with long pants and flats and when I'm traveling to the interview, I carry my suit jacket in my hands and then wear it as soon as I arrive

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OP, looks great! I have a grey pair of pants I brought out with a greyish medium blue jacket, white top and long scarf that goes perfecly with the jacket.

I want to do a cami, but if it's hot inside, I want to be able to take off my jacket and not show too much, ya know! So I keep my eye out for a sleeveless dressy shell-type white top... haven't found one.

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OP, have you seen the top in your pic for sale alone? BTW!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thanks for the help, everyone! She'll be thrilled, and I'm glad I got to clarify. Much appreciated!

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A suit doesn't mean pants only. The right skirt is every bit as professional as pants. And of course, the wrong pants can be very unprofessional. It just depends on the cut and the fabric.

You're right, of course. It's so entertaining to have been around long enough, at this point, to have seen all this stuff cycle around. It wasn't that long ago that pants, any pants, even the "professional" tailored pantsuit, were considered unacceptably casual and unprofessional, and unacceptable for business wear (esp. for an interview!) Only a skirt would do. We're now at the point that either is considered acceptable (if, as you note, it's the right skirt or pants) -- but the "skirt suit" has never gotten to the point of being a "wrong" choice. (Many of us "old(er) timers" are still struggling with the idea that pants might be acceptable for an interview. :))

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