interview clothes, colors, hair questions

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm no fashion diva, but I agree with Zen. You'll look your best if you're feeling comfortable. Both those suits sound gorgeous! Don't wear shoes that pinch, but if you find a nice pair of brown shoes that fit well, why not go ahead and replace the outgrown ones? Brown should work with either suit, or tan, or cream. I also like the French braid idea. It looks neat and serious, but also youthful and feminine. I can see where a French braid would feel relaxed in that you wouldn't worry about being either too dressy or too casual, and you wouldn't have stray locks you'd feel a need to brush out of your face. No-worry hair. Go for it. As for the small purse vs. document-size portfolio, I haven't a clue. In my line of work an "interview" means giving a lecture, which means laptop (they provide the beamer). Some might take a laptop carrier that doubled as a purse. Since I always have to have a change of clothes handy, and a change of ostomy appliance (if I don't have 'em, that's when I'll need 'em ), I always carry a backpack. If I were interviewing, I might invest in a neat new backpack (my old one's getting grimy after years of use indoors and out). Whew, am I ever lucky to be done with interviewing! Tenure, good retirement plan, and could retire in 3 years if I chose to. But hey! On the up side, if you're still interviewing, that prob'ly means you're still young Good luck, enjoy the ride, and land a great job!

[Triskeliongirl]

I hate to say this cuz I disagree with it, but while the gray suit sounds fine, I wouldn't recommend wearing the one with pink pinstripes. I say this because I heard discussions over NOT admitting to medical school female applicants that wore suits to their interviews that deviated from the standard issue blue (I am on the faculty of a medical school). My understanding is that this is a uniform. The argument they give is that conservative dress makes your patients trust you more, lets them know who to trust, etc. While I vehemently disagree with all this, I am a pragmattic person, and if the goal is to get a certain job, then I would wear what it takes to achieve that goal. Granted, that doesn't mean you won't get the job in the pink pinstripe suit, but why take the chance. Perhaps your current female professors can advise you on what is acceptable in your area. Shoes again, conservative, NO OPEN TOES. Not sure on purse vs briefcase but go by what your advisors tell you.