Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wear sandals to an interview?

197 replies

hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:14

I've damaged both my big toes running and they've come off, I cannot put my foot in a shoe without wincing.

Would this be absolutely horrendous and I can tell the story? Or do I wince and just put a shoe on?!

OP posts:
Longingforatikihut · 07/07/2022 15:38

I work in the NHS and I think @StoppinBy's suggestion is your best bet. No gory details but honesty. Its not about knowing why, it's about knowing that you know your sandals are not appropriate attire and that you are mitigating a circumstance. You tell them how it's temporary.

Bonus points if your marathon raised money for charity.

Trust me. With what some of our interviewees turn up in for registered professional roles, sandals aren't that bad.

TokyoSushi · 07/07/2022 15:38

I think that you could wear the sandals as long as you explain why. "I'm so sorry, obviously I wouldn't ordinarily turn up to an interview in sandals but I have an injury (no real need to explain what) to my toes. It's healing now though so I'll be back in proper footwear very soon." Bright & breezy, I can't imagine anybody would then mind (I interview, I certainly wouldn't.) Make sure the toes are covered though, nobody wants to see the missing toenails!

Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:39

@emmathedilemma that's what I think too. I spent over £100 and was assured the fit was fine but think I need to go a size up for future runs

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 07/07/2022 15:39

Ok, if it's not an overly formal workplace then the sandals would probably be ok. But still don't mention the toenails. Just say 'running injury'.

Yodaisawally · 07/07/2022 15:39

I'd wear the sandals and explain.

I interviewed someone years ago, she was green and new to interview/work, her dress had split at the back when she ran for the bus. She didn't want to be late and brought it up as soon as she walked in the room, she was mortified.

15 years later she is in a very high flying position at the same firm. Sometimes you need to have the balls to own a situation.

Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:39

@Longingforatikihut thank you for this, great idea to mention the fundraising as I raised over £1k for charity.

Great advice Smile

OP posts:
Quincythequince · 07/07/2022 15:45

hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:14

I've damaged both my big toes running and they've come off, I cannot put my foot in a shoe without wincing.

Would this be absolutely horrendous and I can tell the story? Or do I wince and just put a shoe on?!

Just wear shoes.
The ick factor will kick in (rightly or wrongly) and you want to make the best impression possible.

I would show off gross damaged toes quite frankly.

Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:45

@Quincythequince they're bandaged up so they're not gross. The remaining toes look lovely!!! Lol

OP posts:
Applesonstairs · 07/07/2022 15:48

Just tell them and be polite and professional about it.

Quincythequince · 07/07/2022 15:49

TheKeatingFive · 07/07/2022 15:30

Nothing wrong with dressy sandals. I wouldn't mention the toenail story as that's what they'll remember about you!

To an interview, yes there is.
It’s not proper attire.

You’d be better off wearing trousers and clean new white trainers (also with an sorry for these but I have a foot injury explanation) than sandals.

Quincythequince · 07/07/2022 15:50

hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:45

@Quincythequince they're bandaged up so they're not gross. The remaining toes look lovely!!! Lol

It doesn’t matter.
Sandals in an interview are not ok.
Polished toes or not. And it’s not that your toes would be the problem, the story of telling them why you’re wearing them (my toenails dropped off) is.

People don’t want to see your toes.

TheKeatingFive · 07/07/2022 15:53

To an interview, yes there is.
It’s not proper attire.

No one would bat an eyelid in my industry.

marinalambrini · 07/07/2022 15:54

I think you need to go and get your toenails checked over TBH. If its a blister under the nail bed, it probably needs popped and then should be fine. (DH injured his toenail last year and was on agony. Went to the hospital with it, they drilled a hole in his nail and was instantly better!)

My sister works in the NHS and once refused to give someone a job because they turned up in flip flops. (She does work in a job with a strict policy on the correct footwear for safety reasons)

Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:54

@Quincythequince they're toes, not puss filled armpits. The damaged ones are appropriately covered.

OP posts:
Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:55

@marinalambrini they're absolutely ok now the nail is off, all blood etc has gone they're just a bit sore whilst they're exposed. I will keep an eye out to make sure there's no infection. Thank you Halo

OP posts:
Duttercup · 07/07/2022 15:55

Where do you all work?!

I work for a large corporate, not a creative industry, and wouldn't think anything of sandals for an interview in the middle of August. Sure not flipflops but sandals? Fine.

What's an NHS PA? Band 5? I'd happily wear trousers and a t-shirt for that interview.

Octomore · 07/07/2022 15:56

NHS trusts can be quite formal in what is considered to be acceptable work attire in my experience - particularly a PA role. They're about 5-10 years behind the corporate world in terms of workwear norms.

I'd probably try to wear comfy shoes if possible. I've lost toenails before and been able to wear shoes not long after.

Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:57

@Duttercup band 5 yes

OP posts:
Octomore · 07/07/2022 15:59

Duttercup · 07/07/2022 15:55

Where do you all work?!

I work for a large corporate, not a creative industry, and wouldn't think anything of sandals for an interview in the middle of August. Sure not flipflops but sandals? Fine.

What's an NHS PA? Band 5? I'd happily wear trousers and a t-shirt for that interview.

I've never worked for an NHS trust where a PA would be wearing a t-shirt. Particularly not at interview.

heyitsthistle · 07/07/2022 15:59

Sandals are fine.

Flip-flops, no, but sandals, yes. Hope your toes grow back Wink

Original poster
hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 16:01

@heyitsthistle me too, feels weird only having 8 toes! Haha

OP posts:
Quincythequince · 07/07/2022 16:06

hamandpotato · 07/07/2022 15:54

@Quincythequince they're toes, not puss filled armpits. The damaged ones are appropriately covered.

Why are you asking if you keep arguing back?
Seriously!

Cover your feet for an interview.

And I don’t mean your toes with polish (which btw I have no different opinion on; unpolished toes on display are not worse than polished toes on display).

Is there someone saying they would wear trouser and a t-shirt to an interview? Good god!

Why. It bare arms next.

averythinline · 07/07/2022 16:07

I just wore walking sandals to an interview and got the job! My feet are knackered waiting new insoles so no shoes fit/work....they are black and i wore black trousers and a brightish top to keep attention not at my feet!

Tangelo · 07/07/2022 16:07

I wore Birkenstocks to an interview in July, was interviewed by a woman also wearing Birkenstocks, got the (senior) job.

It’s the summer - there’s nothing wrong with wearing sandals!

AmaryIlis · 07/07/2022 16:08

I can't see why sandals would be a problem, provided they're not flip-flops. Even without the toe problem, they're perfectly sensible in hot weather.