Job Discussion Forums

[Everest]

What's appropriate dress for a PNET interview (a guy). Do I need a suit or would smart/casual do?

Also, if I get it, what's standard dress in HK schools? Shirt and tie? - or would Chinos and a nice polo-shirt be OK?

Thanks.

E.

[newyorkbunny]

Although I have not been to a PNET interview (though I am hoping!), I would believe that a suit and tie would be most appropriate - for any white collar interview. If you want to stand out and be ahead of the crowd, only a suit will do.

So my advice is ditch the smart casual (whatever that means) and go conservative (as most Chinese are - and I'm Chinese).

Cheers,

newyorkbunny

[Fortigurn]

Do you wear the same to work if you're accepted into the PNET program?

[Everest]

Interesting.

I only asked the question because my understanding is that HK is not as obsessively 'suit and tie'- oriented as Japan - unless you're on an expat package with Lloyds bank, which obviously none of us are. Also teachers aren't businesspeople: surely a sportsjacket and pants (not jeans) would suffice. Also, I don't relish the thought of wandering through Admiralty on a scorching pre-interview Friday afternoon with sweat filling my quality wingtips and soaking my dark-grey Boss suit.

I certainly cannot imagine a suit being standard couture for a day-to-day school job in HK. Not even Japan (unless it was a business-teaching gig......and even then) and certainly not Korea demand such spick and spanness from a bunch of pedagogues. My guess is that a short-sleeved shirt and tie, nice pants, good shoes and a grin are enough. That - and a couple of university degrees. I hope.

Any other thoughts?

[Lao Wai]

I wore a nice suit to my PNET interview (although, this wasn't in humid Hong Kong). I think it's always the safest bet.

I've been a PNET here in HK for a couple of months now. I usually just wear a dress shirt, dress pants, or khakis. Actually, I seem rather "dressed up" compared to many of the local teachers. In Canada, (where I'm from) I dress a bit better in the public school system than I do here, but the heat and humidity are killer in HK, so the least amount of layers is always desirable.

[hkgirlo]

Of course wear a suit to the interview. As for clothes at school..i wear track pants and a sweater most days..but im not allowed to wear skirts because i have a butterfly tattoo on my leg which will make the kids think im a gangsta...which the kids might well think I am, since the schools idea of education is to keep the kids ignorant..haha