Dressing for interview

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cs225

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Apr 28, 2020
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What is recommended for females to wear for the interview? I definitely don’t have the wardrobe/time for a dress, and am leaning more towards khakis. However, I’m not completely sure what to do for shirt and shoes. Most people will say a button down but does this mean like a full down button down, a polo, or a blouse... (this all just makes me happy that in the future these questions will be easy because I will have a uniform😂) As for shoes. Should I go dress shoes (if so closed or open) or athletic shoes.
I feel like these answers are a lot less complicated for males, but I feel like for females it’s supposed to be very vague and complicated 😂. Thanks!
 
Dress neatly and conservatively. Don’t need to buy anything new. DD wore a tidy pair of pants, a modest top, a cropped blazer and flats. She could’ve been going to a job interview at a tech company. Just don’t wear any athletic gear. And please, no flip-flops. There’s a time and a place for that, and it ain’t an admissions interview.

If you wear clean and pressed khakis; a polo shirt or button-down shirt or modest blouse; and nice flats — you’ll be fine.
 
No dangly jangly earrings or bracelets that distract. Small studs or other small plain earrings if you wear them. No date night nails. No heavy body spray or fragrance. “Sunday morning church make-up,” meaning a light hand, if you wear it. Pressed and well-fitting clothing. If shinable, shined closed-toe shoes. You are a young wannabe professional at an entry-level white collar job interview.
 
I would also say it depends on where you are interviewing. That being said, for the Army the interview is recorded on a form (CC form 159r - google it). There is a block on the form for the interviewer to comment on “appearance (composure)”. I‘ve looked at a lot of interview sheets over the last 15 years. What it usually says in this block is “dressed professionally” or “neat appearance”. I have never seen “she had open toed shoes, do not give her a scholarship”. Use common sense and don’t wear your ripped jeans and you’ll be fine.
 
If your DS/DD attends a military prep HS, should they wear their Class A uniform to the interview?
 
penguin05 said:
If your DS/DD attends a military prep HS, should they wear their Class A uniform to the interview?
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I'm sure you'll get varying opinions on this. My own is that the applicant should wear whatever business casual or formal attire he/she feels comfortable in. I'm sure the military prep school attendance will come up in the interview, so I don't see a need to wear a billboard. However, if that's what they feel comfortable in then I say go for it. Just one man's two cents. YMMV.
 
cs225 said:
What is recommended for females to wear for the interview? I definitely don’t have the wardrobe/time for a dress, and am leaning more towards khakis. However, I’m not completely sure what to do for shirt and shoes. Most people will say a button down but does this mean like a full down button down, a polo, or a blouse... (this all just makes me happy that in the future these questions will be easy because I will have a uniform😂) As for shoes. Should I go dress shoes (if so closed or open) or athletic shoes.
I feel like these answers are a lot less complicated for males, but I feel like for females it’s supposed to be very vague and complicated 😂. Thanks!
Click to expand...


My daughter wore a simple cotton dress, tights and flats. Which isn't to say you should not wear khakis and a blouse or polo--just that she did not wear a suit or "dress up".
 
My DS wore khakis, button down shirt and a tie. Good haircut, shoes polished, and good night's sleep. Your interviewer has to be able to visualize you being in uniform "Is this the kind of person we want standing in front/leading our Soldiers?". If you look, smell (after shave perfume) or are in anyway distracting to the interviewer, it will not help your cause. So I would recommend dressing like you would for a job interview - depending on the school, you don't need to wear a suit, but crisply ironed clothing, a nice dress, skirt/blouse and a great attitude will get you far. I am a former PMS, so I have few interviews under my belt - I always asked myself the aforementioned question. I know people grow and mature, but this is a competitive process and so showing up squared away, shows attention to detail and that you serious in your intent to become a commissioned officer.
 
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