1. Ponytail.
2. Fashion that highlights a new set of rhinestone hair clips.
3. Clean, simple cut that doesn’t hide your face.

2. Your daughter lets you borrow her favorite hoop earrings. You —

1. Keep them in the glove compartment during the interview.
2. Thank her because they match the ring in your eyebrow.
3. Wear one, but substitute a post on the right side.

3. Which one of these outfits makes the most powerful statement?

1. Navy suit
2. Black jacket over a red T-shirt
3. Flowered dress with a matching jacket

4. You arrive early to check your make-up in the restroom mirror before your interview. You hope to look —

1. Ten years younger.
2. Just like you did in nursing school.
3. Like you’re wearing little make-up.

5. After searching your closet for shoes to wear to an interview, you pick —

1. Open-toed sandals.
2. Classic black pumps.
3. Neutral-colored shoes to match the outfit.

6. You’re called back for a second interview for a really important job. What length skirt should you wear?

1. Ally-McBeal short.
2. Somewhere near your knee.
3. Any length, as long as it’s slit.

7. What kind of pantssuit can you wear to an interview?

1. Dark-colored wool only.
2. None.
3. Any fabric, as long as it’s tailored.

8. Because your interview is scheduled to occur immediately after work, you plan to wear —

1. Scrubs.
2. A white uniform.
3. An outfit folded in your knapsack.

9. You don’t have a briefcase, so you decide to carry your papers in a —

1. Large purse.
2. Portfolio or large envelope.
3. Knapsack.

10. Before shopping for a new outfit to wear to an interview you —

1. Ask your teenage daughter.
2. Look at the latest issue of Vogue.
3. Take a look at the person who will interview you.

Scoring

1. a-0 b-0 c-2
2. a-2 b-0 c-0
3. a-2 b-0 c-0
4. a-0 b-0 c-2
5. a-0 b-1 c-2
6. a-0 b-2 c-0
7. a-0 b-2 c-0
8. a-1 b-1 c-0
9. a-1 b-2 c-0
10. a-0 b-0 c-2

15 points or more: Dressed to Impress
8 to 14 points: Easily Forgotten
7 points or fewer: Time for a Makeover

Answers and Comments

1. Keep your hair clean, simple, and away from your face. You’ll need your eyes to help develop rapport; don’t hide them behind bad hair. Avoid hair accessories with rhinestones, fruit, birds, butterflies, or flowers. When was the last time you got new frames for your glasses? Nothing looks dowdier than poorly fitting, broken, or out-of-style glasses.
2. Keep the jewelry simple: Have a single matching post in each ear (no hoops) and a single set of rings on one and only one finger, no thumbs. Avoid anything that makes noise or swings, such as charm bracelets, dangling earrings, or necklaces. If soft tissues other than your ears are pierced, let it be your secret. The same goes for tatoos.
3. The navy suits wins hands down. Match your outfit to the scope of the position you’re applying for. Few nurses need a power suit, but remember you’re not going to the beach or to perform on open-mike night at your local saloon. Avoid fabrics usually worn by the mother of the bride or country western singers — no brocades, bead work, sequins, lace ruffles, leather, or fringe. No matter what you wear, make sure it’s clean, well-fitted, and in good repair.
4. Regardless of how much make-up you actually use, make it look like it was applied with a brush instead of a roller. Avoid colors usually seen on the faces of trick-or-treaters. If you still have blue eye shadow, throw it away. And cut your nails: Recruiters will secretly decide that your long sculpted nails with rhinestone sunsets probably mean you’re not interested in direct patient care.
5. Black pumps are great, but not required. Any neutral color that matches your outfit is fine. But remember you’re going on a job interview, not on a date: no boots, stiletto heels, open toes and heels, or skins from animals on the endangered-species list.
6. Skirt length is less important than it used to be, but skip Ally-McBeal short, as well as granny-dress long. Stick to a length near your knee. Limit the slits to one, regardless of location, and no slits higher than the knee.
7. Never wear a pantsuit. Can you honestly say that you look better and more professional in one? The fabric doesn’t matter. Stick to a dress or skirt with a jacket. A sleeveless blouse is acceptable as long as you don’t take off your jacket.
8. Scrubs or your uniform are acceptable for interviews during or immediately after work hours at the agency where you work only. That’s better than showing up looking like you slept in your clothes or because you just pulled them out of a knapsack. But why did you schedule an interview on a work day? You need time to prepare and focus exclusively on the interview. Don’t let work stress interfere with presenting yourself to your best advantage. And when you interview on your day off, leave your children with a sitter. They’re too young to apply for a job.
9. You don’t need a briefcase. Instead, store your papers in a professional-appearing portfolio, especially if you have letters of commendation, certificates from continuing education, or professional publications. Or if you bring just your nursing license and a copy of your resume, place them in a fresh, large envelope and tuck them into an amply sized purse (not a flowered beach bag or a convention bag with a cute slogan, such as “Night Nurses Do It In The Dark”). Forget about small clutch purses or anything that could double as a lunch box or gym bag.
10. Your teenage daughter has probably never had a job further up the career ladder than burger flipper or grocery store bagger, so why listen to her? Traditional, conservative, and predictable are the operative words. Forget about fashion forward. It’s always a good idea to dress like the boss, in this case the nurse recruiter or manager. They usually admire their own taste and trust people who share their opinion about how a professional is supposed to look. Sometimes you can’t get a sneak preview of the person who will interview you. Regardless of what you decide to wear to an interview, visit the agency ahead of time to get a feel for it’s culture. Ask yourself: “Is this the kind of place where I will enjoy working and feel proud being a part of?” Also keep an eye open for how nurses and others dress and present themselves. You don’t want to be underdressed or overdressed.