What to wear to a medical interview

Dressing correctly is always important – it’s the very first impression you give when you walk into the interview, even before you’ve answered the first question.

Even more so than considering how to dress appropriately, it’s very important not to dress inappropriately.

A good dress code serves as a symbol of professionalism. Dressing appropriately shows, even before you have answered the first question, that you are demonstrating professionalism, focus, self-confidence and self-assuredness.

If the university has provided any guidance make sure you follow it.

Traditionally, many universities expected male interview candidates to wear a formal shirt, tie and suit, with the corresponding degree of formality for women. Most universities now expect you to be smart and casual (although there is of course nothing stopping you dressing formally if you prefer). For men, this usually equates to wearing a smart pair of trousers, with a shirt and jacket; for women, a smart dress or skirt and blouse/shirt. While there is no set rule, a good general principle is not to draw attention to yourself by the clothes that you wear: clothes should not be patterned or distracting and colours should not be loud.

At the same time, however, and importantly, you must feel comfortable in the clothes you are wearing: being dressed up mustn’t distract you from giving your full attention to the interview itself, and to performing well in it.

And if your interview is online, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to make an effort: virtual interviewers also expect professionalism, just as if you were attending the interview face-to-face.

Rightly or wrongly, the majority of interviewers will expect a respectable form of dress code, so beware of drawing attention to yourself by dressing in ways that might not be expected, and being judged before the interview has even begun.

While it’s difficult to tell you what you should wear for interview, it’s much easier to tell you what you must not wear (at least in our opinion!):

• We strongly advise avoiding jeans and trainers. They detract from making you look professional, and you will not wear them as a doctor, so don’t wear them as a prospective doctor. A pair of smart trousers, or a dress/skirt, with comfortable shoes that are not brightly-coloured are the order of the day.
• Shorts are an absolute ‘no-no’!
• Avoid fashion ‘statements’.
• Jewellery should be minimal and should not be distracting. Beware facial piercings that make your interviewers focus on what you look like, more than on what you are saying.
• While there is no specific code for hairstyles, again, your hair should not be distracting.

You don’t need to spend lots of money on dressing for your interview and no universities that we know of discriminate against students who cannot afford brand new designer clothing.

Focus on feeling comfortable and calm, but looking professional and assured.