Would wearing something like this be pretentious/rude?

[Antonath]

That being said, bring it to Japan with you if you get in. Depending on your placement (if your school has a formal dress code, etc etc) you may be able to endear yourself to your students/staff with something like that.

...for one lesson, or maybe one day (not your first day at work, either). After that, you'll need to wear something appropriate for a teacher, not a student.

[fiori]

I do, and I've gotten really great jobs even though it is a school uniform. The only reason I asked in this particular instance is because of the situation of the interview. It looks just like a suit and most people here in America would never be able to tell. It is very professional looking hence why students in Japan wear them. Just thought it might be a neat idea. No need for the hostility merkypie, just a fun idea.

If its hard to tell the difference between your uniform and your suit, then why risk the hassle of even wearing it? If I was applying for a teaching position in England and even if my old school uniform had been "professional looking" it would be a weird choice of clothing. Hey, but its your choice and maybe if your SoP was filled with your love of school uniforms then maybe it will work to your advantage (just dont forget your name tag)

[rollins]

That being said, bring it to Japan with you if you get in. Depending on your placement (if your school has a formal dress code, etc etc) you may be able to endear yourself to your students/staff with something like that.

...for one lesson, or maybe one day (not your first day at work, either). After that, you'll need to wear something appropriate for a teacher, not a student.

Yes yes, very true. I wouldn't recommend doing it on a daily basis for sure. Perfect for your halloween lesson though!

[Bejma]

That being said, bring it to Japan with you if you get in. Depending on your placement (if your school has a formal dress code, etc etc) you may be able to endear yourself to your students/staff with something like that.

...for one lesson, or maybe one day (not your first day at work, either). After that, you'll need to wear something appropriate for a teacher, not a student.

Yes yes, very true. I wouldn't recommend doing it on a daily basis for sure. Perfect for your halloween lesson though!

Yeah, I just thought it might show them that I have some sort of pride in my school or something. It's not really a big deal, I have other suits I can wear. Great idea for Halloween though!!! That would really make kids laugh!

[Jax]

My high school has uniforms that look nearly identical to a suit. They're *dark* charcoal black and to someone who isn't familiar with Japanese school uniforms, I could see how they could be mistaken for a suit. But to me something seems a bit not suit-like about them, though I can't quite put my finger on it. I don't know if it's the fabric or texture or if it's cut slightly differently than a suit or what.

As others have said, I think wearing something like this to an interview is extremely weird and also unprofessional. Even for other jobs (even though you said you've worn it), why would you knowingly wear a school uniform to an interview?

[Bejma]

My high school has uniforms that look nearly identical to a suit. They're *dark* charcoal black and to someone who isn't familiar with Japanese school uniforms, I could see how they could be mistaken for a suit. But to me something seems a bit not suit-like about them, though I can't quite put my finger on it. I don't know if it's the fabric or texture or if it's cut slightly differently than a suit or what.

As others have said, I think wearing something like this to an interview is extremely weird and also unprofessional. Even for other jobs (even though you said you've worn it), why would you knowingly wear a school uniform to an interview?

It looks very professional and is a very nice dark royal blue color. Putting on a button up white collar shirt and a tie with it and it looks great. I've gotten two really great jobs with it and the one I am currently at right now as well. I guess I just never thought about until now is all. I kinda figured having a a Japanese person interviewing me might make it a no-no, so I just wanted to be sure is all. I had no idea it would create this kind of controversy to be honest. I guess I'm just an odd fellow, who knew?

[jim]

Did the 2 great jobs involve being interviewed by people working in the Japanese education system?

If you were being interviewed by people who don't know / care what the uniform is, then it may well just look like a suit with a slightly odd collar. To people interviewing you for JET who know what it is, it will just look creepy. Imagine if a female interviewee turned up in knee high socks and a checked skirt.

I agree that Japanese school uniforms look pretty cool, but I can't believe you're seriously considering this.

[Siyris]

I would advise against wearing it to your interview. However, I don't see why this thread got so nasty towards you.... ignore the hostility, but the advice is sound.

Depending on what age you were when you did your semester abroad it could *potentially* work.... IE if you went to a private college as an exchange student and the private college had a dress code, odds are it would work fine for an interview.... if it is a high school or junior high school thing, it would not be advisable to wear it to the JET interview... might send the wrong message.


Also for the record: The interviewers are, for the most part, NOT employees of the embassy or the Japanese government. Many of them are members of JETAA and/or the local Japanese community.

[rozzer]

Simply put: is it worth the risk?

If you're questioning it, you must have some doubts about it. It could go very well, or badly. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

[number one]

No matter how it looks, it just sounds totally weird. Don't do it. Get a suit. Wear the suit. You may be a perfectly reasonable fellow, but if I was an interviewer I'd seriously question your judgement if you wore a school uniform to a job interview. There are other ways to show your pride and interest. The fact that you're even applying is a big start.

[Mimmy]

Did the 2 great jobs involve being interviewed by people working in the Japanese education system?

If you were being interviewed by people who don't know / care what the uniform is, then it may well just look like a suit with a slightly odd collar. To people interviewing you for JET who know what it is, it will just look creepy. Imagine if a female interviewee turned up in knee high socks and a checked skirt.

I agree that Japanese school uniforms look pretty cool, but I can't believe you're seriously considering this.

Agree with everything Jim says. Americans won't know what it is, although why anyone would wear a school uniform to a job interview regardless of the country they're in is beyond me. Your Japanese interviewer(s) WILL know what it is and it's not going to do you any favors. It's neither pretentious nor rude - it's weird.

[kurisuu]

I am laughing so hard at my desk right now.

My image of what the OP is talking about is a Gakuran though, and if that is really what he is referring to, I just, I don't know.. Oh man..

I would require video of initial reactions and faces of said interviewers were this to happen.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, No, don't wear your Japanese school uniform to your interview to become a foreign language teacher and cultural ambassador of your country.

[Namisuke]

I think a big thing that makes suit-like school uniforms different from real suits are the buttons. Usually the buttons are custom-made with the school's emblem on it (all of the jackets in my area, anyways). At the very least, there is something custom about the jacket, and the interviewers will probably spot it. I don't know if the interviewers will really care if you have a lot of spirit for your old school. They want to know what you will do for your new ones, which will need to include buying a black suit.

[jookie]

Just don't wear it. That has bad idea written all over it and your interviewers will surely recognize what it is. Which will lead to assumptions about you that probably won't be very positive.

[honto]

If you think it's a good idea, go for it. It will greatly aid the panel in weeding you out.