Job Discussion Forums

lou_c · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:35 pm Post subject: Do clothes make the man?

How important is clothing for ESL job interviews? What should we wear (male and female)? What about classroom dress for teaching? If we need dress clothes, is it realistic to buy them in China? Neither of us is large, small by US standards, probably about average in China.

fitzgud · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Henan province

How important is clothing for ESL job interviews?

We only wear a mouse.

What about classroom dress for teaching?

In the north bring your full wardrobe.

And if it really cold you can stand inside it to teach.

On a serious note, the seasonal differences are so great from north to south, you must look at were you will be and research for yourself

You will find that in most parts of China, your Chinese teaching colleges wear what is necessary, to be warm, follow their lead, they are the local knowledge.

With regard to the purchase of clothing in China, I am sure you will not be dwarft by the demand.

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

Lou come on, of course how you dress does make an impression. Why are you asking this question? Smart casual will do at an interview. How old are you?

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

lollercauster · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 418 Location: Inside-Out NYC

My friend has went on multiple job interviews in just every day clothes and gotten the job. Based on his experiences, I wouldn't say it's absolutely necessary.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Well if there are two applicants.

One walks into the room looking like he/she is off wall street and the other looks like the homeless man from "In living Color."

Which will get the job?

It depends on the person hiring right?

saint57 · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:12 am Post subject:

If you dress "casual" don't get upset when the students behave "casually." You are an adult, dress accordingly. Appearance won't solve any of your problems, but what can you say about someone who doesn't even have enough sense to dress appropriately? Why would you even consider testing the limits of acceptable appearance at an interview? You'll never be shut out for over dressing. However, you run a great chance of not getting the job for underdressing.

rocketboy · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 46 Location: China

Very smart casual wear for both the job interview and classroom, if you want to be taken seriously.

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

Just be sure to wear clothes.

If a chinese person is doing the hiring, I would say the clothes dont matter too much. Personally, I would not wear jeans to an interview, but it happens here and people get jobs.

If a foreigner is doing the hiring (or a chinese with overseas experience) then dressing a little nicer is better.

I dont think you get hired on the basis of what you wear.

But if you dress. too casually, you may not be taken seriously.

My husband does some hiring, and he is irritated by people who show up for an interview in jeans. This would be referring to Chinese people interviewed by a Chinese with overseas experience (and who always wears a suit to an interview) for a position in a foreign company.

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

I wear jeans in the class room most of the time. It's comfortable and the Chinese teachers wear 'em so, why can't I? Honestly, I can't imagine that my wearing jeans is the cause of bad behavour. There isn't much to begin with and the kids who do act out are usually the ones who simply don't have the language skills that the rest of the class has and they are bored.

I'd definitely dress up a bit for an interveiw though. Trick 'em into thinking I'm the teacher looking type. Wink

KarenB · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 227 Location: Hainan

For interview, nice slacks, shirt and tie for guys, skirt or dressy pants outfit for girls. Usually an interview isn't necessary -- most hiring done over internet. A suit is not necessary.

For teaching, see what your Chinese colleagues are doing, and follow suit. In warm weather, I wear a dress, skirt, or capris to class. Sandals are approprate, but not flip flops or rubber "slippers." In winter I wear slacks and a sweater and suede boots. The male teachers at my school (both Chinese and foreigners) wear dress slacks, shirt with collar (usually short sleeved), and sometimes dressier shorts. Not many wear jeans here. I only wear them on the rare occasions when I have to teach on the weekend.

If you haven't come to China yet, remember that you don't need to pack a lot of clothes. Most Chinese people only have 2 or 3 outfits, and they won't think it unusual if you wear the same 4 or 5 outfits over and over. On the other hand, remember that if your clothing or shoe size is somewhat large, it may be hard to find replacement clothing over here if you catch your one pair of black slacks on something and rip it. However, you can get a lot of stuff made. It DOES get cold in winter, and the southern provinces don't have heat (in the classroom at least), so long underwear, wool socks, warm sweaters, gloves, hat, etc. are nice to have.

You will want to have at least one dressy outfit for "occasions" -- such as the Christmas party that the provincial govt. throws.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

I think it is very important to have your fly done up if you are a man and have your buttons in the right holes if you are a women . Remember first impressions are everything so clean those noodle spots of your tie or blouse .

jeffinflorida · Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:13 pm Post subject:

Bayden · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 988

jeffinflorida · Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject:

I went on a job interview in shorts and a t shirt - and got the job. At a university.