Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I've got a university interview in Busan this Saturday and to date I don't own a suit. I have several sets of dress slacks, shirts and ties. I also have a nice V-neck sweater that makes me look scholarly and approachable. Do you think I should spring for a suit the day before the interview?

I know I have to get some new shoes anyway.

[zappadelta]

If you want the job, I would buy a suit. But, not the day before. I would buy one, wear it a time or 2, make sure it feels good and you feel comfortable in it. Good luck

[jlb]

Suit.

[PRagic]

Buy a few suits, actually. Unless you are teaching kiddies, you should be wearing them.

[Juregen]

suit, plain shirt, good tie and nice shoes with black socks.

[ceesgetdegrees]

Quite surprising the OP hasn't figured it out for himself really.

[PGF]

OK. I wear a suit almost everyday, but I've been in your shoes, so I won't be an arsehole about this....

Don't buy a suit. Buy a sport coat.... ummmm, a blazer and wear it with some nice pants and a tie.

If you are not a big guy, yo can go to lotte mart-ah and get a blue blazer for $40 or so.

Wear it with khaki trousers or blue trousers (make sure the pants are not darker than the blazer).

Wear a white dress shirt with a nice tie..

You'll be fine.

If you get the job; buy some nice blazers and a few pairs of pants and a few assorted dress shirts and a LOT of ties.


Good luck.

[chaz47]

I've got black, gray and khaki slacks. Gray, black and maroon shirts. Several ties, although I prefer a basic black one even though I've heard about the stigma here attached to them.

I should probably get the suit. I've just never needed one so far over here. I always wear a shirt and tie but never the coat, I guess I need to upgrade my wardrobe.

The interview's the day after tomorrow so I won't have the luxury of wearing the suit for awhile beforehand.

Could I work the understated V-neck in under a blazer? I've seen some guys pull it off. Would that be appropriate?

Thanks for the input.

[crazy_arcade]

If you actually have to ask this question.....

[Harpeau]

Wear your black trousers, buy a white dress shirt, a nice sports coat (tweed) and a nice tie. Don't forget nice shoes~ shine them well! Best of luck to you.

[butlerian]

As always, the key factor is who are you competing against. Never forget the importance of image, especially in Korea.

[SuperHero]

[lucas_p]

[PRagic]

Exactly. We are living in a different culture, and the same rules don't apply. Like it or not, the clothes make the man here.

I get a kick out the people tramping around looking like college freshmen, proudly proclaiming their heritage in individuality. Whatever. What they are doing overseas in the first place escapes me. Making money? Great, but what about the experience. If you close yourself off and limit yourself to your own cultural perceptions, you'll stagnate.

To the OP, it is great that you are asking your question, and great that you are willing to go with the flow here. You'll succeed where many fail.

Good luck to you. Oh, and in my opinion, lose the purple shirt and the black tie. I do agree with the sport coat/pants combo suggestion, but the long and short of it is that you should have at least one decent suit. You can have one tailored for under 300, or, if you are an 'average size' (whatever that means), you can buy off the rack here much cheaper.

[oh_daesu]

Just take this opportunity to go ahead and get yourself a nice suit. I don't know about the advice given as far as finding yourself a matching blazer/sportcoat... it doesn't sound like you have the fashion-sense (as far as business attire, strictly speaking) to eliminate a poor decision. Where I used to work, I'd see too many guys with mismatched slacks/jackets that were even the same color. It just didn't look right. You'll eliminate any chance of that by just getting a new suit.

I personally wouldn't and never have worn anything 'khaki' at an interview. Go with black, charcoal, dark-grey, dark blue and you'll be safe. Wear a nice ivory-white dress shirt and a modest tie. NIce shoes, absolutely... I find that BaccoBucci puts out some of the best looking and most comfortable dress shoes. Ask around if you've got the time and try to find 'em, it'd be worth it.

Yeah, I know, for some of us this is nothing new and/or should be obvious but everybody's gotta start somewhere. He's just asking for some advice. Plenty of Korean guys that'll look you up and down, check out what your wearing, even more so than girls... hehe, seriously. So, just go in looking like a man wearing his credentials and you'll just feel more confident.

Good luck.