What do you wear to an interview for a RN position?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Apr 3, 2014

Suit and tie for men and business skirt and blouse for women. That is what is expected of you when you interview for a professional job.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

I am a male. I have always worn suit and tie with one exception--In that case the recruited specifically told me to wear scrubs as I would shadow immediately after the interview. It might not be a bad idea to have scrubs with you, but I would "dress up" unless specifically told otherwise. You can change into scrubs for a shadowing experience if need be.

trishmsn · Apr 3, 2014

Scrubs would get you five minutes of politeness and no job....and many of us more seasoned nurses feel the same way. Interview attire is very different from what you wear to work in later, and everyone looks somewhat frumpy in scrubs.

"Business casual" has far too many interpretations....It is a sticky subject in offices around the country on many a Friday.

Males: Shirt, tie, and dress slacks (tucked in, normal waist height, with a belt) and preferably a suit. Dress shoes with dark socks, all in good condition.

Females: Skirt (knee length or just above---think the Duchess of Middleton) and jacket in solid color or very small print (pinstripes, tiny checks) with a non-opaque shirt or blouse AND A BRA! A very formal business dress will also do, but NOT club wear. Short or medium heels (no sandals) or ballet-type flats. Tailored, well-fitted pants-suits can also be worn, but are a gamble with some interviewers. Easy on the makeup, but at least a touch of mascara and lip gloss if you are the natural type.

Everyone: clean, neat hair, clean fingernails and teeth, NO excessive fragrences.

For the record...hundreds of interview over 30+ years, all but about 20 on the side of the table with the paperwork, pen...and choice.

Good luck.

SilleLu · Apr 3, 2014

Females: Skirt (knee length or just above---think the Duchess of Middleton) and jacket in solid color or very small print (pinstripes, tiny checks) with a non-opaque shirt or blouse AND A BRA! A very formal business dress will also do, but NOT club wear. Short or medium heels (no sandals) or ballet-type flats. Tailored, well-fitted pants-suits can also be worn, but are a gamble with some interviewers. Easy on the makeup, but at least a touch of mascara and lip gloss if you are the natural type.

I understand most of what you said, but non-opaque shirt? And why would a pant-suit be a gamble over a skirt? Would appreciate more explanation if you could please. :)

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

I think she means that you shouldn't be able to see your bra through your shirt.

I do take issue with the requirement of makeup. I wear makeup maybe once or twice a year (eyeliner and lipstick only) and the last time I wore mascara was at my wedding. I don't feel that makeup is a requirement for looking professional.

SilleLu · Apr 4, 2014

I think she means that you shouldn't be able to see your bra through your shirt.

Then she means opaque. That's why I was confused...the way it was said, it should be a translucent or see-through shirt which I found pretty odd. I still don't understand the skirt vs. pants.

trishmsn · Apr 4, 2014

I think she means that you shouldn't be able to see your bra through your shirt.
YES...
I do take issue with the requirement of makeup. I wear makeup maybe once or twice a year (eyeliner and lipstick only) and the last time I wore mascara was at my wedding. I don't feel that makeup is a requirement for looking professional.

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I am reporting the studies, not making the rules here!! For some reason, mulitple studies have shown that women with makeup ( even just a touch) are PERCEIVED as being both more attractive and more intelligent in business situations, and this applies to both male and female interviewers. Too much is even worse, however.

As to the pantsuit....again, it depends on who is doing the interview, which you may not know until you get there (Group or panel interviews are becoming more common). Most men and a fair number of older women (age 45 and up, roughly) find a pantsuit too casual and/or too "sexy", depending on the cut and style.

Here is my personal philosophy, for what it is worth: You will never get "penalized" for looking TOO put-together or dressed up for an interview (again, business clothes, not flashy/tight/lowcut/short/see-through.) BUT you might LOSE the job because you were in pants and a perfectly lovely sweater, BUT the equally qualified other applicant was wearing a suit...and carrying a leather portfolio with an error-free resume on linen or parchment paper.

WHY would you want to take a risk with your clothes....especially in this market, and as a young/new nurse???

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

Yes, I think that is what she meant.

SilleLu · Apr 4, 2014

As to the pantsuit....again, it depends on who is doing the interview, which you may not know until you get there (Group or panel interviews are becoming more common). Most men and a fair number of older women (age 45 and up, roughly) find a pantsuit too casual and/or too "sexy", depending on the cut and style.

Thank you. I am almost to the "older women" age and just have never heard that about pants vs. skirts, but if that's what the studies say I'm glad to have that information.

NurseyMomma · Apr 4, 2014

What's wrong with nice slacks and a nice button down blouse or dress shirt for a woman??

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2014

I wore nice fitting black slacks and a well-cut matching blazer for my last interview along with low slingback pumps. The DON complimented me on my choice of attire and commented that I was the most nicely dressed applicant she had seen in a long time.