What to wear to a job interview

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2008

I would wear khakis of some sort/slacks-nice-clean shoes and a modest blouse/top. If you have any tatoos or peircings cover or remove them. You dont need someone who is judgemental about tatoos/piercings ruling you out because of that.

Also minimal make up and jewelry. Dont smoke or eat Doritoes before the interview!!

I interviewed someone once who had Doritoes stuck in thier teeth and reeked of smoke, they were nice and probably qualified, but i couldnt stop focusing on the crumbs in the corner of thier lips!!!

Make eye contact and ask questions, people love to brag about thier facilities. Comment on something/anything positive. "I love your ratios" "how nice to have a Dr on staff till 7pm" "what a clean facility"

Also if your nervouse try and talk slower than you normally do, by forcing your self to speak slower your probably speaking at approriate pace.

Give a firm hand shake at the start and end of the meeting, and if you have a cheesy cell phone message or hip hop ring back tone on your cell phone change it. If your email address is hunnybun69@yahoo change it to 1st initial last name. ONce again you dont need someone judging you on your personal likes and preferences, get the job 1st.

Best of luck...

guest310661 · Oct 21, 2008

When I got out of the Navy they put us through a course that prepped us for the real world of getting a job, it its called TAP; Transition Assistance Program. I learned valuable info.:

They said to wear Navy Blue if you can and I've always dressed up for a job interview in navy blue. You can't go wrong. Invest in a good navy blue business suit; there are many to be found at thrift stores or second hand stores for a fraction of the cost. Also do not have any heavy cologne or perfume on you. Don't smoke before your interview if you do because you will smell of it. Also they said to focus on the area that makes a triangle between the interviewers eyes and nose, and rotate your gaze from point to point in this triangle. What this does is it allows your gaze to move about but not make the interviewer too nervous because you are constantly staring at them, try it you'll see what I mean. If you ever answer a question with a negative reply make sure you follow it up with what you learned from the experience, that way you are turning a negative into a positive. A firm handshake is a must. Be confident, even if you feel the job you are reaching for is a little beyond you; if you are still the best applicant they have interviewed they will work with you and bring you up to speed with the position. Mostly they want to know you are trainable and you'll fit with their organization. It's better to be over dressed then under dressed. It lets them know you are serious about the job. Hope this helps. Now go get that job!!!

jstbreathe · Oct 21, 2008

I wear scrubs! Can't go wrong there!!!!

guest310661 · Oct 21, 2008

That's another approach I've never been comfortable with. You can dress as if you would, if you got the job. It helps the employer see how you would dress if hired. I 've never tried it because I always wanted them to know I was serious about getting the job, serious enough to go through all the trouble of getting dressed up. But yes that is another approach that I've heard about. There is something to be said about just being you, and being comfortable in what you wear. Good advice..

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2008

I always wear a suit. I KNOW many people have gotten jobs wearing wet suits, tutus, etc. but I can't think you'll ever go wrong by looking like you take the job seriously.

When I did hire/fire, I never hired people who showed up looking like they just crawled out of bed or left the beach. And you'll never know when the interviewer is just like me.

country mom · Oct 21, 2008

Business attire- slacks or skirt (knee length or below) and a modest top. Guys should definitely have a tie. Gals- keep it modest- keep your blouse buttoned up. Really- I mean it, there's nothing tackier and more uncomfortable for an interviewer that to have an applicant with everything hanging out. Even if I was applying for a job at a fast food joint- I still wouldn't wear jeans to an interview! Look like the educated, intelligent professional that you are. Agree with posters who said to refrain from smoking before you go in. Check you teeth for crumb leavins' and your nose for boogies. Cover the tattoos and take out the piercings - you might have an "old fashioned" interviewer who isn't hip to the culture. I've interviewed applicants (we do peer interviewing at my place) for everything from housekeeper to RN and if they show up in jeans and a t-shirt, they're out, no matter how bad they need to fill the position.

Dottie78 · Oct 21, 2008

As a pre-nursing student, I have always wondered about this as well. When interviewing for a nursing position, what do you wear? I didn't think scrubs would be appropriate for an interview, but I think these replies have answered my question: wear a navy blue suite...and keep it modest! :up:

infectionRN · Oct 21, 2008

I interview nurses that wear scrubs all the time, they will always say I am on my way to work or just finished my shift.I also interview nurses that have been dressed in suits, I think either one will do. What ever you do , don't wear jeans. I always think if someone comes in wearing jeans, they really don't care about the position. Good Luck

MB37 · Oct 21, 2008

I would never wear jeans to any job interview in any field and expect to get the job. Scrubs can be OK in nursing, but they may ask if you're coming straight from your other job - in my mine it looks weird if you chose to get up and wear scrubs on your day off, to impress your future boss at an interview. I wore a suit to my only nursing interview, and I got the job I really wanted. I'm sure it's fine to wear khakis/dress slacks/conservative skirt or dress with a collared shirt or decent looking blouse as well, and I know a lot of people who interviewed in scrubs and were hired - but they all at least said they were interviewing on their way to/from work elsewhere.

pielęgniarka, RN · Oct 21, 2008

I usually wear slacks and knit top with a mostly navy blue theme going. Stud earrings. Simple watch. Natural nails. Shoulders back and look confident. Also if you look up "color psychology" blue is loyal and productive I think, green is calming, and brown symbolizes nature.

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Oct 21, 2008

I went to one today and wore a suit...I call it my "job interview/funeral" suit, haha. I like navy blue but this one is black (it has a very subtle stripe that is black also). I think it's much better to err on the side of being overdressed, it shows you make the effort.