Job Discussion Forums

[Johnny T.]

I'm just choosing my wardrobe for a round of interviews with schools in cities within bus-trip range of the DF. I realize it varies depending on the altitude, but do people wear long sleeve shirts very often? How about sports jackets? To teach in? Do ESL teachers in Mexico wear ties very often? Jeans to teach in? Thanks.

[Guy Courchesne]

I'd say jeans are out, though you might find exceptions. Dress smart, but a tie is probably not all that necessary. If you are teaching anywhere in the out-of-school company class circuit, a suit would be appropriate.

If you have been in the central valley or the highlands before, it may surprise you to know that it gets neither very warm nor very cold here. The coldest weather is just finishing up, when it gets around freezing overnight in the higher spots, like Toluca or Pachuca.

[AjarnErnes]

I don't think it's a silly question. Here in Thailand you must wear a shirt ( long or short sleeved, though I've always felt that a short sleeved shirt with a tie looked stupid ) and tie. This has been a problem for me here. I had some Thai style silk shirts tailor made for me and at one school I worked it was ok and I get many compliments. At the last school I worked at they insisted on "white long sleeve shirt and tie". Fuckin' hell, it's 34C degrees out with 95% humidity it just makes NO SENSE AT ALL!!!! I continued to wear the lighter, cooler Thai style shirts and it caused me ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I even had my Dr. write a letter to the school asking that they give me an exemption from the dress code because I'm diabetic and tend to over heat and some times pass out. The head of the school said it was ok, but my direct supervisor insisted I wear the long sleve shirt and tie. Funny though, not ONCE did anyone comment, ask about or complain about what I was teaching. Education here is more about looking like you're learning something and looking like you'r eactually teaching something. As long as it LOOKS good, it must BE good. It's the Thai way.

In April I'll be going home to San Francisco for a couple of weeks by way of Hong Kong, Shiang Hai and Bejing. I was thinking of getting a couple of suits custom made for me in Hong Kong. If I'm teaching at a high class private school will wearing a suit be over kill? Or is wearing a suit the norm for teachers in that type of school in DF?

ajarnernest

[Guy Courchesne]

Wearing a suit in DF is never overkill...people here are fairly fashion conscious. You can always doff the jacket when you start class. There is next to no humidity in DF, even during the rainy season when it stays cool in the afternoons.

The only uncomfortable heat you might experience here is the mobile sauna they call the rush hour subway.

[Ms. Atondo]

My work uniform ended up being long, polyester pants, white blouse and sweater...all day, every day. Hopefully, you acclimatize fast. I ended up being quite comfortable in my sweater in July and sometimes got the chills when I took it off at the end of the day.

[samizinha]

I have students who show up in their suits to do chemistry presentations. I always dress up nicely as I would at home. This isn't expected of everybody at work, but I feel I owe it to myself to be very professional. It goes noticed as well.

[ls650]

I think DF has a climate such that wearing a shirt and tie is not unreasonable, but down here on the coast, no way. On a typical day the classroom might be 35 Celsius and 95% humidity. You do the math!

[jillford64]

What about interview attire for women? Is a suit (jacket and skirt) required or would a jacket with dress pants be acceptable?