Mundane question about interview attire - ladies!

[domotomo]

What are thoughts on heels vs flats? I'm really short and my trousers brush the floor, so I think I'm going to either have to wear heels or take them up. Presumably the interviewers won't care as long as they're smart? (I have many pairs of nice black shoes knew they'd come in handy!)

I'm also really short and my dress pants tend to brush the floor too, so I can relate! I remember wearing heels with my business suit to my interview, though, and having a change of clothes/shoes for afterward. I'd say to do whichever makes you more comfortable, though heels are probably more professional. Since coming to Japan, though, I've worn flats anytime I had to wear a business suit (at the very beginning when I arrived, going to conferences, etc).

I don't have much else constructive to add to what's already been said, but to the original poster - I don't think buying a new business suit is necessary, though it would be good to have one for future purposes. Depending on where you get placed and the schools/grade levels you'll be teaching, you may or may not have to dress so formally every day. I teach at mostly elementary schools, and at first, I wore button-up blouses and dress pants with flats, but after maybe a month, I switched over to track suits. In Japan, track suits are seen as acceptible attire, much more formal than jeans. It's gotten to the point where I also wear track suits to the one junior high school I also teach at. So it all really depends on your situation. I'd definitely recommend asking your predecessor once you get accepted.

[stinaton]

I too had the same problem. I wore nice black heels (nothing open toed) to my interview and it was fine. As far as dress goes, I actually bought a new black suit for my interview just to be safe. Plus, if you get the job as a JET you will have to wear your suit at least twice a school year i.e. once for the opening ceremony and once for the graduation ceremony.

[Jennaiii]

Suit attire horror - my suit has been hanging up pressed a lovely. Went to check on it - it's full of creases. ARGH!

My advice to you - keep checking your suit before your interview, for goodness sake! By the looks of it, mine's going to need ironing AGAIN before Thursday =s

[ng-stephanie]

i think you can chew gum before the interview to keep your breath fresh. but don't forget to spit it out before you go in.

don't eat too much before the interview. you don't want your tummy to stick out, or burp while you are being interviewed.

go to the bathroom to check your outfit over before you enter. make sure your collar is folded nicely, the skirt is not twisted, the make up is not too heavy. you might want to re apply lipstick but don't over do it.

bring "tide to go" incase your clothes get dirty. someone bumped into me once and spilled coffee over my shirt... even you are being careful, accidents can't be prevented.

bring tissue. buy some pocket size kleenex incase you need to sneeze or your heels get wet.

i bring hand cream and apply 1 hour prior to the interview so my hands are not too dry when i shake hands. i do it an hour before so that my hands are not too sticky.

DON'T FORGET TO SWITCH OFF YOUR PHONE!

[Jennaiii]

What are your thoughts on collar-less blouses? I plan on wearing a white blouse that buttons to the neck, and has a slight (VERY slight) frill detail near the top along the buttons. I wore it to my graduation and it looked nice and smart there... I'm wearing a black suit - jacket and trousers, which looks really good but it's the damned blouse I worry about. Up until today I was fine but I think nerves are getting to me about all the little things!

[AmberBear]

i think you can chew gum before the interview to keep your breath fresh. but don't forget to spit it out before you go in.

don't eat too much before the interview. you don't want your tummy to stick out, or burp while you are being interviewed.

go to the bathroom to check your outfit over before you enter. make sure your collar is folded nicely, the skirt is not twisted, the make up is not too heavy. you might want to re apply lipstick but don't over do it.

bring "tide to go" incase your clothes get dirty. someone bumped into me once and spilled coffee over my shirt... even you are being careful, accidents can't be prevented.

bring tissue. buy some pocket size kleenex incase you need to sneeze or your heels get wet.

i bring hand cream and apply 1 hour prior to the interview so my hands are not too dry when i shake hands. i do it an hour before so that my hands are not too sticky.

DON'T FORGET TO SWITCH OFF YOUR PHONE!

I agree about the eating too much before hand. It's also good to go before lunch. I had to drive 5 hours to my interview and picked up whataburger in the morning and didn't eat until after my 10-11 interview. Also that bathroom is a good idea. Tide to Go is excellent... we had to pick one up too (not for me). I left my phone in the waiting room with my bro.

When it comes to WHAT TO WEAR and WHAT NOT TO WEAR... wear what makes you feel comfortable but is appropriate and professional. Don't worry about frills, colors, cut... you should all know what is acceptable business attire and what's not by now. This is an interview for a job... same as if you were interviewing for any other. LOOK NICE! I've heard of people getting in who showed up in jeans before too. Though I don't recommend that.

[yuichan]

What does everyone think about wearing jewelry to the interview? I'm not talking a lot, just like nice earrings, a necklace, a matching bracelet. Less is more I'm assuming? I want to look put together, but not over done or gaudy.

[lapin_bleu]

For my interview last year, I wore a black skirt suit (I read skirts are preferred on women during interviews) with a silk green and white striped shirt underneath. As for jewelry, I kept it simple with a pair of pearl earrings and a simple watch. I wore black tights (cold!!) and black heels. Basically, just keep it conservative and slightly dressier than you would wear in an office and you'll be fine. Some people I interviewed with who were also hired wore just business-casual clothes and that seemed to work out fine. Be confident and maybe a bit formal and you'll be good. Best of luck to you all!

[Namisuke]

Thank you Nami! This is really useful advice! Especially the bit about jewelry. What did you wear to your interview?

I wore black pants, nice high heels (not too high - something I was comfortable walking in. Not many teachers wear heels in school, really), a blue dress shirt, an undershirt, a black blazer, small silver earrings, and a silver Egyptian sun god necklace...lol It was about one inch wide and a bit less across. I also wore my glasses to give off that educated and suave allure...haha

[Jennaiii]

I'm not wearing earrings because I often get struck by itchy ear syndrome at the most random times and don't want bright red ears in my interview!

I might wear the small locket I always wear just for a bit of familiarity, but I personally wouldn't wear anything more than that (I'd wear earrings if I could!).
Nothing too big or gaudy.

I'm wearing flats to walk to the embassy, and a pair of heels to change into before I get to the building. I broke my foot last year so I have a lot of difficulty walking in heels for any length of time.

Don't forget to polish your shoes people!

[Starbuck]

Wear what you would if you were going to a government/corporate job interview. Simple.

When you arrive in Japan it will be ridiculously hot and humid. Dress accordingly. The people at Orientation will not care if you're not wearing a suit. Boys, tie, dress shirt and trousers. Girls, skirt, shirt combo or a smart frock.

Dress up the first few days at school/boe then get an idea of how other teachers/workers dress. When in Rome...

BOE days and Kencho days I wore suits in winter and skirt and shirt combo in summer, at Elem I wore something I could be physically active in, yet still presentable and at JHS much the same for BOE/Kencho. Some of you will be forbidden from driving to work and will have to bike/walk, I suggest pack your work clothes, pack that shower in a bottle stuff (Sea Breeze), a towel and toileties and wear clothes more suitable for a more physically draining commute.

[ness]

As a lady, please make sure:

- you cannot see down your shirt when you bow and lean forward.
- you do not wear perfume.
- your nails are not painted a bright colour (beige might be okay).
- you brush your teeth.
- you wear different shoes and change them in your car if winter exists where you live.
- you SMILE!!!
- you consider jewelry. Some jewelry is okay in Japan, depending on where you are. If jewelry is part of your culture, that is not usually a worry unless it goes against the school policies. Some JETs have special permission to wear things because it is a cultural aspect of themselves.
- you consider tattoos. Depending on where you are in Japan, tattoos are considered almost immoral. My town is pretty accepting, but some are not. ESID! Decide whether you want to completely cover them for your interview. If they see them, you will likely get asked about them, so be prepared.

I think that applies more to Japan itself than an interview in a foreign country. I wore perfume, some jewllery and there was cleavage, but I got in However here, I am quite conservative in my dress. I think that what ever would be a appropriate for a business interview in your home country is fine for the JET interview.

[Namisuke]

Yes, but it should also be considered that there are representatives from Japan or who have worked in Japan before. I am not sure if they take anything other than the answers of your questions into consideration, but it is good to show that you are aware of cultural differences and expectations from country to country. I am sure many people have gotten in wearing not so appropriate interview clothing, but always big no-nos are too much perfume, cleavage, short skirts, skank heels, too much make-up, outlandish jewelry, etc. If they are choosing a representative from a country, I am sure they want the person to be able to represent it well, and this is the first impression they will get of you.

[Otashi]

To all who will be interviewing in London - go to Pret or Starbucks down the road from the embassy (they're to the right of the embassy, near Green Park station). Grab a tea, a sandwich or what not, and use the toilets there. When I got to the embassy I was too busy chatting to the other interviewee that I forgot to go to the loo and check how I looked etc. When you're taken upstairs by the ex-JET to do the grammar test and watch the video, there isn't really any time to go then or before your interview. So go before you get to the embassy.

I know this has nothing to do with attire, but someone else has brought it up, so I thought I'd throw this bit of advice in

[Chabichou]

I also need some interview attire advice. I have formal, long, black skirt. But unfortunately, I have no matching blazer for it. I have a black pants suit with fine pin-stripes, but the pants are much too tight on me. The blazer is very nice though. I was wondering would it be okay to wear the pin-striped blazer on my black skirt? The blacks are pretty similar in both. I've looked everywhere, but no one is selling any skirt suits (I'd prefer a skirt suit since I dress quite modestly for religious reasons), and the only black blazer I've found that matches my skirt is much too expensive. And I still do prefer the shape and fit of my pin-striped blazer to anything else I've seen so far. What do you think ladies?