Women - What do you wear to an interview?

Question

What is the general advice on what to wear when you are invited to interview? I'm planning on going suit shopping soon.... so is there a particular color of suit that will be best for interviews and get me through bschool? What about brands? I am in California, I wonder if a suit is too much for interviews with alumni out here, though I assume it is the standard for on campus?

Admissionado · Answer

Go with "classic" when in doubt. The equivalent of the male "suit" but without being toooo formal (if you are going on campus). Simple, elegant and black always works (think New York). Needless to say (or maybe needful) whatever makes you look good will help. For women this is more important than for guys (even when your interviewer is another woman. (especially??)

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Go with black, gray or navy. You can add small pops of color with your shoes and maybe a scarf. I like to keep a variety of suits on hand (dress, skirt, and pants). Good luck with interviews.

pablovelazquez · Answer

whoa, I'm jealous of you women;) at least you can add some interesting details to your outfit. For us guys it's all boring...

elbie · Answer

So if I have to buy a suit that I want to get me through both interviews and business school, there is not some standard that you want to have a black suit for case competitions/group projects or anything like that?

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Black suits are most common. I'd say for ibanking recruiting the black suit is standard. For admissions interviews, case competitions, group projects, etc. you can move away from basic black. I like to match a grey skirt with a black suit jacket. I've seen pinstripes, patterns, and colors. All of it was acceptable. As long as your suit fits well, is a conservative cut (not too short or tight), and isn't an eye sore you should be fine.

pablovelazquez · Answer

sounds easy as 123:D

ManhattanReview · Answer

As a general rule, when in doubt, over-dress. I would wear a conservative suit (pants are ok). However, do not look like you are going to a funeral and add some color (or accessorize) creatively.

Kimberly Plaga 
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

krudget · Answer

Residency interviews are a bit different than business school interviews, but my fiancée goes with a plain brown or grey suit (with skirt) and wears a blouse with the colour of whatever school she's interviewing at (Red for OSUMC, Blue for UPMC, Green for Tulane, etc.) I've noticed a lot of the ladies from med school or residency interviews go much more plain with a grey, black, or blue suit (pants or skirt) and a simple creme or white blouse. Typically do inch or two inch heels. A big tip is take a pair of flats if you're not comfortable with heels. When you're away from the faculty and just with students or on the tour, sneak the flats on. Fiancée was dead tired after an eight hour interview day for residency before she learned this trick; but seriously, she should've been able to interview in tennis shoes and scrubs, since that's all they'll see her in for four years. :lol:

Going 'interview attire shopping' with her was much more tiring than when I bought my interview attire. :lol:

I think I now know more about faux pauxs for women than men :oops:

Going 'interview attire shopping' with her was much more tiring than when I bought my interview attire. :lol:

I think I now know more about faux pauxs for women than men :oops:

aerien · Answer

Hi everyone, there's also an entire thread on this exact topic in the Business School Life forum: https://gmatclub.com/forum/business-atti ... 58705.html Posted from my mobile device

Admissionado · Answer

That is sooooo clever!

Women - What do you wear to an interview?

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