Dear Cindy – Interview Attire for "California Casual"

I hope to be interviewing soon. I guess one of the things holding me back is that I don't know what to wear. I've been in the healthcare field for 25 years! My wardrobe is mostly California casual (jeans, shorts, and shirts), sandals, scrubs, and dressy clothes, but nothing in-between. Please advise.

Sincerely,

"California Casual"

I'm sure that with scrubs being the common workday attire for most healthcare staff these days, there are a lot of people in your situation. And I assume that by "dressy clothes" you mean very dressy clothes, of the tuxedo (guys) or cocktail dress/evening gown (ladies) variety, which aren't appropriate for interviews, and not simply a business suit (guys or ladies)? After all, if you have a business suit, it's perfectly acceptable to wear it during a job interview, even if what you would normally be wearing at the job is a set of scrubs.

Otherwise, the "problem" is that applicants are expected to make an extra effort with appearance (and everything else) during interviews. So even if you don't have a business suit, and don't want to buy one (since you don't need one on the job, and would only wear it for interviews or – heaven forbid – funerals) and can't borrow one, you still have to "dress up" for the occasion. So go with a conservative look and colors. Men can wear a pair of pressed khakis or dress pants, a shirt, dress shoes, and a tie, while women can wear a pair of pressed khakis or dress pants, or a fitted skirt with stockings, a blouse, and dress shoes.

For more information about interviewing, see our Interview Skills department.

Good luck in your interviews.