What color of suit to purchase for job interview?

Nurses Men

Published

I am planning ahead for graduation next summer and I would like to know what is the best color suit to wear for a job interview? Or do you think I can just wear a nice pair of dress slacks and shirt.

Thanks for your time.

Specializes in Physical Rehab and Psychiatric.

I am assuming that shorts and a Hawaiian shirt would also work well. I mean along with the black jacket, red striped tie, and over-the-calf black socks. Just cant decide if I should wear dress shoes or sandals. JUST KIDDING... I know to wear the sandals with shorts. duh

I'm sorry. I was not very clear in my earlier post. I wasn't really advising the OP to try to stand out ... just telling the story of how many of us are a little tired of the "uniform look."

Blending in is the safer choice.

So true - in every area of life. Those who dare to have different views or, God forbid, express them, are often not well-accepted.

I honestly don't think it matters what color suit you wear. As long as you are hygienically clean and no wrinkle clothes. No "employer"(obv depends on the job you're interviewing for) will hire you for your "looks" or the color of your suit.

According to anything I've ever read on this topic, this is not so. It matters very, very much that your clothes indicate that you fit in with the established culture.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
You have to love a situation where you can get a job in your skivvies. If that isn't great networking, I don't know what is!

As a traveler, I do mostly phone interviews these days.

Nothing like interviewing when you are half asleep, in your PJs and bunny slippers, watching "Crossing Jordan" in bed before going to sleep after a night shift. Or at the Beach. Or in a Taxi on the way to JFK to fly home, with the cat in a carrier beside you.

But it has always worked well for me.

For heaven's sakes, DO NOT WEAR A SUIT TO A NURSING INTERVIEW. This is way overboard. Hop yourself on over to Mervyn's and buy a business-like long sleeved (with collar) shirt, some complimentary khakis, and a pair of decent black shoes. But whatever you do, DO NOT WEAR A SUIT! That is way over the to

P.S. be sure to tuck in your tie

I've spoke to a friend who is in nursing management and he said that a suit sets you apart from other interviewees. I think you can get away with a nice shirt and tie. But I would base your uniform on the professionalism of the hospital. If you are interviewing at a teaching hospital/magnet hospital I would go with a suit. If you are interviewing at a smaller hospital/snf/etc. I would go with a shirt and tie. Also if you are interviewing for a position in nursing management/practitioner/specialist go with a suit. Your attire should match the general environment of the hospital or the attire of the position you are applying for.

Specializes in Every department except OB..
I am assuming that shorts and a Hawaiian shirt would also work well. I mean along with the black jacket, red striped tie, and over-the-calf black socks. Just cant decide if I should wear dress shoes or sandals. JUST KIDDING... I know to wear the sandals with shorts. duh

Actually, the last interview I had for some PRN hours at a nursing home, I wore my Hawaiian shirt, golf hat, cargo pants, and loafers. (no socks)

Unfortunately, I DID get the job...

(I'm dressing down next time.)

Specializes in Peri-Op.

Lol.... I hve never worn a suit to a job interview. I got my current job as a clinical manager in a large health care system after interviewing with scrubs on, scruffy facial hair and a baseball cap after a 12 hour work day. Just trying to offer an alternative perspective on thinks. After getting hired I asked the administration about it... they said looked like a hard worker and had the knowledge to back up the look.....

Specializes in Cardiac.
Lol.... I hve never worn a suit to a job interview. I got my current job as a clinical manager in a large health care system after interviewing with scrubs on, scruffy facial hair and a baseball cap after a 12 hour work day. Just trying to offer an alternative perspective on thinks. After getting hired I asked the administration about it... they said looked like a hard worker and had the knowledge to back up the look.....

A buddy of mine got his job as a manager like this, however its not typical and usually is because you were already working on that unit for quite some time. For everyone else, be professional and dress accordingly (and a suit most often)!

+ Add a Comment