Thread: Female Teaching or Interview Attire

Originally Posted by KarenB

Are nylons/pantyhose expected?

No.

Originally Posted by KarenB

Hair up? Like in a ponytail? Bun?

In the schools around and including ours the norm is "everything".

Many have their hair short.
Those with long hair sometimes tie it up, often have a ponytail and occasionally wear it down.
They don't often wear it down; too hot.

Blouse = no cleavage or shoulders.
Skirt = from 2" above the knee to your ankles is considered OK. Knee length is the most common.
Shoes = whatever is comfortable. The female Thai and foreign staff around here typically wear flats, slippers, sandals or short heals. Rubber /beach "flip-flops" are not acceptable.

Think office conservative and you will be fine. Go too casual or daring (before you get the lay-of-the-land) and you may find yourself being the object of discussion and not in a good way.

.

OK -- about sleeves
I just discovered the "Powder Room" and there's several discussions about teacher attire, and the subject of sleeves came up. I knew that sleeveless tops were a no-no, but it appears that even short sleeves are not appropriate at many schools. Which is a bit confusing since the girls' uniforms all have short little cap like sleeves. Apparently buttoned up long or 3/4 length for teachers though? Should I toodle out to a tailor (probably can't find my size in something I like) and have the one long sleeved blouse I brought copied?

I especially hate buttoned up long sleeved blouses.

But what about a long sleeved blouse unbuttoned over a shell?

Originally Posted by KarenB

I just discovered the "Powder Room"

here?

I liked yellow Mondays.

For the interviews, I would err on the side of conservative - long sleeved white blouses. This would be for government schools. Private schools and language schools are not as strict. Go to any location of Central or The Mall, pick up a few basics for interviews.

Do you have interviews lined up yet?

6" stiletto heels, 10" slitted black skirt and XXXS white blouse, 1" black binder clip in the back to attach the belt to the skirt ... oops, that's what Thai uni students wear - near mind.

I didnt want to make a new thread so I figure id ask in here. When going for an interview do you guys wear a blazer as well?? I was going to go for a very nice looking shirt+ tie and trousers shoes as its soo hot there. But whats the norm? blazer?

Don't worry about a blazer - too hot for that. Shirt, tie and trousers wil be fine.

Originally Posted by 5anuk

wear a blazer

We're in the sub-tropics. Why wilt under a blazer? I always laugh when I see Westerners wearing complete suits in the Bangkok heat. I really am impressed ... with their stupidity.

Well, actually, I seem to have acquired a job without going to an interview. My husband went off to his interview at Uni, and after he was hired, handed them my resume and photo, and they offered me 35 K for 15 hours. Apparently they like having couples.

So I just need to go down and hand them all my documents. But do want to make sure I don't offend anyone once I actually start teaching. I'm used to teaching in China, where there's no air-con and so short sleeves and open toed sandals and all that sort of thing don't really matter.

I worked for a language school then for a corporate training company, so the ladies could wear open toed shoes, and fashionable clothes, but it was always freezing inside, so I always had a jacket or cardigan to wear inside. The job sounds good. Nice that they hired both of you.

Everyone should have at least one outfit that is appropriate for a job interview. Before you can get a new job, you have to learn to dress the part. You may or may not be needed to dress that way every single day, but standards for a job interview outfit are high.