Job Discussion Forums

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

Just got a question � I�m getting ready to leave in a little over a month and head out to the Kanto district. I felt confident in my business casual attire until I received the packet of information from the coordinator, Dustin in Tokyo.

I have a LOAD of collared, button down blouses that have � sleeves. Will this be okay with ECC? Also, I know that men have to tuck in their shirts since they are required to wear ties. Do women with ECC have this sort of requirement? It didn�t state anything in the packet and it is not going to make or break my decision to take the job, I just want to be prepared for that first day (July 3rd!!!!).

Thanks to all that can help

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

What did you wear to the interview?

By the way, Dustin (if it's recruitment Dustin) is in Osaka. And he looks nothing like you'd expect Wink

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

Well, to my interview, I wore a black skirt suit with a white button down blouse (3/4 sleeve, but I never took off the jacket). I don't have to wear a suit every day to work, so that's why I am concerned.

And sorry, Dustin is in Osaka, Justin is in Tokyo...and I have no idea what either of them might look like.

TRod · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 59

Hi Mamasita. I just came back from the ECC interview on May 11 and from what I got from the information session, I think 3/4 length shirts should be fine. He said that the dress code was business casual, so people, especially women have a lot of lee-way with that. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck in the Kanto district!!

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

Well...that makes me feel better! Thanks! The only thing I am concerned about now though is tucking them in. They don't really cut those shirts to be tucked in...I guess if anything else, I'll figure it out when I get there!

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I wore exactly the kind of shirt you are talking about the whole time I worked at eikaiwas and never had a problem. As long as it looks tidy and if it's obviously cut in a way that it sits nicely without being tucked in I don't think anyone will be concerned about it.

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

hey Mamasita516... i'm in australia, and i'm heading off to kanto too by Jul 3rd for training - i'm guessing i'll see you there!! whoa, how freaky is this coincidence? lol Smile

Firestarter · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 55

It's definitly harder for women than men, but I'd suggest being conservative in dress and being more on the side of business attire than business casual. When you're teaching kids classes I think there's more leeway, but if you're at one of the big schools or teaching only adults I think wearing a suit (for males or females) is more appropriate and increasingly expected.

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

Have you received a big email from Dustin yet with about 8 attachments in it? One is all about dress code. If you haven't got it yet I could email it to you.

What you're describing sounds fine. It's actually difficult to remember what the females wear because I work with so few as they are in the vast minority. Provided you look professional and presentable then you'll be fine. Just do what everyone does - come to the first day of training dressed all special and over the following weeks slowly ease it down.

What you've mentioned though sounds fine.

As for what Dustin looks like, the only reason I mentioned it was because when my training group met him, we all thought "woah, I was way off!"

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

Have you received a big email from Dustin yet with about 8 attachments in it? One is all about dress code. If you haven't got it yet I could email it to you.

What you're describing sounds fine. It's actually difficult to remember what the females wear because I work with so few as they are in the vast minority. Provided you look professional and presentable then you'll be fine. Just do what everyone does - come to the first day of training dressed all special and over the following weeks slowly ease it down.

What you've mentioned though sounds fine.

As for what Dustin looks like, the only reason I mentioned it was because when my training group met him, we all thought "woah, I was way off!"

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

Apsara: Thanks! Always helps if I can get some feedback from someone who's worn the type of shirt I am talking about. Come to think of it, they hardly sell full length sleeve shirts in the stores anymore!!

shadowsinner: See you there! I'll be the one wearing the 3/4 sleeve button down collar shirt! Laughing

Firestarter: The only reason I am asking is because at the interview session the recruiter placed a rather large emphasis on the fact that the attire was business casual. That being said, I wasn't sure if business casual in Japan was that much different from business casual in the States. Thanks for that though! I will definitely bring a nice chunk of business stuff too!

callmesim: yeah I got the big email, and I think that is what sent me into a tizzy because it gives some info on dress, but there is always a gray area and you just wanna be sure not to get too much into that gray area upon arrival, you know? Thanks for your help too!

Firestarter · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 55

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

I believe that the biggest no nos are sleeveless shirts and 3/4 length trousers.

PT

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

That's great guys! Thanks