Suit:
The most important thing is your suit. Some people toy with the idea of getting their suits made in their home country. That might be fine for men, but I think it is a total no-no for women. This suit is your ticket to your residency. The most important thing about your suit is this: no one should notice it. As an IMG, you want to be in the perfect uniform to show your ability to blend in. And trying to find the right fabric, the right tailor, the right cut, the right fit. Bite the bullet and spend the big bucks on a ready-made suit in the States. Actually, if you are lucky, you can come across some nice sales and get a nice suit for a decent price.
Color: Black is basic. You can’t go wrong with it. Dark gray or navy are also good choices. I would suggest staying with solid colors.
Cut/Style: This depends on you. If you are a woman, you probably prefer a longer jacket. But make sure that it fits properly. You don’t want any bulges in front when you sit or in back when you walk.
For women I suggest buying a pant suit. It is true that skirt suits are more typical, but most skirts come to the knee or have huge slits. Then there is the stocking issue. So, pants are just much more comfortable and convenient.
Before you make the final decision on the suit, make sure you like it and are comfortable in it. You want to make sure it looks good when sitting, standing, or leaning over. Basically, you want a suit, which once bought; you never again have to think about. It should be the last thing on your mind on the interview day itself.
Accessories (women):
The shirt should be a solid color with a simple neckline. Either a blouse or a collared shirt is acceptable. Here you can be a little more adventurous but stay away from red, orange, or other bright colors. The shirt you wear should fit closely and not bulge out from under your jacket.
Keep jewelry to a minimum. Pearl studs in the ears are appropriate. You don’t want anything dangly or flashy. Again, you want to show how much you blend into American culture, and Americans wear very little jewelry.
Socks: you can wear stocking or trouser socks. If you wear socks, make sure that when you sit, your pants do not ride up to show your leg.
Shoes:
COMFORT, COMFORT, COMFORT. You will be taken on lengthy tours of hospitals, and you do not want to be hobbling about or be uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other. My advice: spend the money and buy an expensive and comfortable pair of shoes. It is worth it. Be sure to break in your shoes before interview day. There is nothing worse than an hour-long tour in a new pair of shoes. If you are a woman, don’t feel compelled to wear heels. Believe it or not, very comfortable shoes can look professional.
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