What to wear for an interview in Thailand

[Uktom]

Hey HHF, you may know if you had read previous posts about me wanting work or some sort of income here in Thailand. I have been here for a little over 3 years now and thanks to someone on this forum who I forget now (sorry), I have access to new job applications daily.

Anyway I have been sending off my CV with a cover letter and within the past 2 weeks or so I have had 2 positive replies. The first was from a computer games company who wanted me to work for them and were willing to give me a work permit. They shpwed me examples of the work that was required and it was designing fantasy type characters which I have not been trained to do. I am more of the company branding logo design kind of designer, so I had to turn that one down.

I checked my non-formal email address today which I had forgotten to do in a while and 5 days ago a company in Bangkok wanted to call me to arrange and interview after reading my CV. Wow, yes an amazing result. However some things instantly struck me. I have been living here as an expat not looking for work for the most part, I do not own shoes or troucers, I own a suit jacket though. I was thinking of either turning up with troucers, suit jacket open with a t-shirt under neart, or with black jeans. What are your suggestions on what to wear to interviews?

Also my portfolio, It will all be on a USB, do you think that would be an issue? I could print everything out but that costs time and money, plus because my mac was stolen a while ago, I had to screenshot all of my college work and if I printed it out the resolution won't be so good.

[Uktom]

c'mon can nobody help with this post??

[Roel]

My personal opinion: Shoes and socks is a must. No jeans if I were you. Shirt with buttons and long sleeves. Jacket is not necessary. Thais understand it does not go well with the climate. Jackets are only worn by people who are only exposed to tropical temperatures for a few seconds when they leave air conditioned places to get into air conditioned limousines e.g. politicians and CEO's.

Another thing: you probably are used to western job interviews. Our concept is basically: this is what we want you to do and this is what we offer.
I noticed in Thailand a very important even crucial question is: 'what is your expected salary'. I have been to interviews where this was the first question which can give you the feeling that if you give the 'wrong' answer the interview is over. Be prepared to call a number.

Good luck and keep us posted!

PS I just saw your new cry for help. Unfortunately relatively few members on this forum are working in Thailand. I am one of them and there are a few others that I know of. So others might follow soon.

[Siani]

Remember first impressions count, it is something you cannot do twice! I suppose if it were me, I would go out and buy a white shirt. If you cannot buy new trousers, wear the black jeans as long as they are not too scruffy. If you do not have shoes, just buy black plain trainers, nothing loud, with names or stripes etc., so they do not notice.

Graphic designers are quite trendy, so that is acceptable. Make sure your jacket is clean and pressed (Mother talking here!!). Tidy hair and a shave! (Sorry do not know you or what you look like)

With the other portfolio question, maybe someone on the forum can let you use their printer, can't say if a USB is acceptable, others may know.

Good luck with the job!

[dtaai-maai]

My personal opinion: Shoes and socks is a must. No jeans if I were you. Shirt with buttons and long sleeves. Jacket is not necessary. Thais understand it does not go well with the climate. Jackets are only worn by people who are only exposed to tropical temperatures for a few seconds when they leave air conditioned places to get into air conditioned limousines e.g. politicians and CEO's.

Agreed. Wear a shirt, not a t-shirt. Wear trousers, not jeans.
Shoes - absolutely!!

If you have piercings in any visible parts of your body, remove them. If you have obvious tattoos, cover them if possible.

You may be getting less advice than you hoped for because most people think this should be pretty obvious.

One more thing: if you're being interviewed by Thais only, allow for language difficulties. Unless your Thai is really good (and I mean properly taught by qualified teachers), stick to English. Be prepared to take the initiative if there is an awkward silence - have some polite questions of your own in mind.

Feel free to exaggerate slightly, but don't tell porkies!

[traveller2]

If it was me, I would dress to impress ie a proper collared shirt, trousers, shoes and socks. As Siani says, first impressions do count.

In my experience (western world), interviewers like to 'flick' through your CV whilst interviewing you, so a hard copy of your CV would probably look better than on a USB. Your portfolio may be ok on a USB, but you will probably get more accurate information from HH residents and workers on here. I hope this is of some help and I hope you get the job Tom. Keep us informed, its always nice to hear of a successful outcome.

t2

[Uktom]

Oh thank you for your reply. No jeans, okay. Shoes yes. Just wear a normal shirt ontop of troucers? That does not normally suit me but owel. I need to go and buy myself some black shoes me thinks hehehe. Owel. The thing is, portfolio on USB and going from HH to BK for each interview.

[Roel]

In my experience awkward silences are rare during job interviews but it won't hurt to follow dtaai-maai's advice to prepare a few questions anyway. Have a good look at their website. If they have 140 employees you like that because that means it is a serious, professional business, just what you are looking for. If they have 7 you like that because it means working in a more informal environment where you know all your colleagues personally, just what you are looking for. Fill in the blanks.....

Do not worry too much about the shirt. Grey, black or white would fit an accountant but might be too conservative for a graphic designer. Pick you colour, but obviously not anything too bright such as red, pink, orange or yellow. Something bluish or whatever. Matter of personal taste.

[Siani]

I do think that it is sound advice. Forget what I said about black jeans, I do think its also a no, I just thought that if you could not buy anything, they might do. Clothes are cheap in Thailand, so try to get the right look for the job. You may need the clothes afterwards for work anyway. Proper shoes and socks.

Maybe a HH tailor will let you hire something for the day?

There is loads of help on google.... http://www.jobinterviewtools.com/blog/i ... r-success/

Try to avoid keeping your hair too long, unkempt or over-styled. Again it is best to wear your hair conservatively at the interview. Over styled hair is likely to make you seem young and give an air of inexperience. If your hair is too long, or untidy then you will look like you don't care and will not be presentable to clients.

Shave or keep a well trimmed beard. Try and avoid stubble unless you have a skin condition.

Keep your shirt white, or a pale blue with perhaps some thin stripes. I like Roel's shirt. Make sure the shirt is clean and well ironed.

I think seing it is a graphics job you can dress smart business casual..code.

When are you going?

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[dtaai-maai]

^^Siani, I asked you not to put those photos of me on the Internet...

[dtaai-maai]

In my experience awkward silences are rare during job interviews ...

I mentioned it because it happened to me once - I effectively conducted my own interview. The interviewers (there were 5 of them) were Thai English teachers...

[Siani]

^^Siani, I asked you not to put those photos of me on the Internet...

Sorry DM


I must remind UKtom to switch off his mobile phone...nothing worse than mother phoning to see how it's all going

Good luck
Let us know how you get on UKT

[johnnyk]

Dress like an adult.
Avoid these looks:
1) neo-hippie
2) punk
3) drunk
4) slob
5) goth
6) disco denizen
7) tattoo parlour advert
Press your trousers, wear a shirt wth a collar, socks are a must! shine your shoes, shower and splash on a bit of stink water.
Chok dee, sounds good so go for it.

[fft100]

backups ! I guess you realise this now, but always have backups. I had 2 laptops taken last year - at the same time, but still had backups (oldish, but useful) elsewhere. I had started backing up the laptops onto each other which seemed a good idea at the time until they went awol....

Graphic designers can inhabit a different world, but you didnt think yourself suitable for the games market, so i take it in your previous life you were more SME or corporate. Therefore, imagine you are going for an interview in London, Frankfurt, New York. What would you wear there ? Small town HH is not the same as BKK. Dont take liberties - make the same preparations as you would do in Europe for an interview. It will seem rude if they think you are not taking them seriously.

Printed or USB. CV needs to be printed. The person interviewing you should have a copy, but just in case....

Normally you should take a portfolio showing some of your previous work, but... if all your previous work is screen images, then it is hard call. Do you have any of your previous work on existing websites ? You could offer to give a 5 minutes (no longer) tour of sites you have designed, so they can see how they work in practice. You will need a laptop for this, and a list/script to take you from site to site. It will be a presentation, so no umming and erring....

[chrisdaejeon]

I regularly conduct interviews and of course dress is important, also as for C.V. on a flash drive our company policy is not to allow them as they are known to carry virus's we don't allow staff to bring in them in from outside. Usually C.V. is sent in advance by e-mail and we print it out before interview.