Is it appropriate to wear flats to an interview?

[pearlbubbles]

Hello all. I am currently a nursing student and next semester I will be searching for a job. Our school practices the interview portion this semester and I was wondering if it is acceptable to wear polished black flats to an interview. To me it doesn't seem too logical to wear heels in the hospital because you are doing a lot of walking and now I've noticed more interviewers like to give a tour of the unit to the interviewee. What are your thoughts? Thank you in advance for the help!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Yes - absolutely. The general principle for interviews is to emulate the dress code of the prospective employer so that s/he is able to see how well you would fit in. This does not mean scrubs or any work-specific clothing (LOL- lab coat, hard had, steel toed boots, etc.). Heels are rapidly becoming an outmoded fashion choice as more organizations opt for an increasingly casual dress code. In most healthcare settings, showing up in heels for a staff job interview may look very out of place - like you're prepared for a date in stead of work.

Stay comfy. Best of luck with your job search.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree. Flats are fine.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

As long as they are professional-looking (i.e., no sandals or ballet slippers), flat shoes are fine.

[NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN]

I will fight anyone who says heels are more "professional" than shoes that don't cause pain and foot damage.

Dressy black flats have always served me well for interviews.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

My own opinion, based on experience. I prefer flats, I'm not a heels type of gal. However, I have a good friend who has worked as a corporate recruiter for several years. He told me that ballerina flats look unprofessional.

I bought super short heels í ½í± to wear to my interview, based on his advice. I did receive a job offer. Not saying it was due to the shoes í ½í± , but I valued his experience. I also wore a full suit. You could say that I went all out for an interview as a new RN grad.

I did get the job.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

There are flats and there are ballerina/slipper type shoes. I agree with vintage mother. A good shoe with even 1/2-1" provides a nice professional look and shouldn't cause any discomfort.

[Ladyscrubs]

Yes - absolutely. The general principle for interviews is to emulate the dress code of the prospective employer so that s/he is able to see how well you would fit in. This does not mean scrubs or any work-specific clothing (LOL- lab coat, hard had, steel toed boots, etc.).

Little off topic but my usual style of dress is homeless chic (okay, I confess, I look like a slob out of scrubs) but for job interviews I tend to clean up pretty well, albeit a bit eccentric and wear wingtip oxfords. I have found I am usually overdressed compared to the people that interview me. My last interview a few years back was with a nurse manager wearing Capri's, had unshaven legs, flip flops, and a tight knit top embellished with her lunch. She was either a heavy smoker, had been eating Cheetos, or had phalange jaundice. I must have really wowed her with my floral Doc Martin oxfords because I was offered the position which I did not accept because it was obvious their standards were set too high. So back to topic…flats are perfectly acceptable.