What to wear for an interview in Thailand

[Uktom]

The replies for interviews will have already read my CV as it is attached to the reply of the job application. I was just considering putting my portfolio on a USB because I do not have it printed out plus due to my folly, the actual high resolution files were saved on my stolen macbook. So I have screenshots.

I have no tattoos, no piercings and I am only a little bit hippy on the inside. I am sometimes drunk, but not at the moment and not in the ineterview :p

When I mentioned my suit jacket and T-shirt, I meant this kind of look.

[MrPlum]

Always found the art of getting a job was to ascertain as quickly as possible what they were looking for, then tell them you can give it to them. The most qualified kid in town, doesn't always get the job. Are you going to be customer-facing? If so, appear relaxed and confident. If they just want a computer nerd, then talk bits and bytes and what successes you've had, how you contributed to a team.

My best job came after offering my services to a tech recruiter, for one month, free. Most companies will bite your hand off. They get to assess you and vice-versa. Gives you an edge over other candidates, if there is competition for the position. If you are first to have your foot in the door, you are as good as hired.

Just a thought.

Agree. Dress smart for the interview. You can ask what the dress code is which gives them the opportunity to tell you wearing Doc Martens and a ring through your nose is fine.

I often found that interviewers were fairly inexperienced and formulaic. You can take control of the interview but back off, if you sense any of the panel feels threatened.

[Dannie Boy]

Tom, I am a recently retired senior Human Resources Manager having worked for a FTSE 100 company for the previous 20 years and have conducted 100's of interviews. Without a copy of your CV, the job profile, or an outline of the organisation you are applying to, it is almost impossible to give you detailed specific advice, but you have already been provided with lots of good generic advice.

Just to summarise most of the previou posts and add my experience which I hope/am sure will be of some help, the following are all good practice.

Do some research about the company - find out as much as you can about their business, where they operate, how long they have been established, turnover, number of employees etc.

Make sure you arrive on time - if travelling to BKK allow for traffic delays.

Appearance - as many have advised, it is important and whilst a suit and tie may be over the top, trousers, shirt and collar and proper shoes are a minimum but where a tie by all means if you are happy to do so.

Interview technique

Listen to the questions and try to answer what they ask, not what you might know more about. Try to demonstrate knowledge and competence and avoid waffle as they will almost certainly see through it - if they ask you something you don't know or don't understand, ask them to rephrase it, but if you still don't know, then better to tell them so.

What you need to do though, is try to guide the interview into your areas of strength, so that you can demonstrate what you are capable of and hope that his is what they are looking for.

Good eye contact is important - avoid looking other than to the person who is talking to you when you are answering.

Try to relax - if somebody says something funny, don't be afraid to laugh, but otherwise keep it at a smile. Be careful with the tone of your voice - be assertive by all means but don't shout.

Be as honest as you can be and avoid bull**** - we all know that you have to sell yourself, but avoid getting caught out by claiming you know this and that, when in reality, you don't. This applies to your CV as well, if you say you have experience of X Y Z, be prepared to answer questions on them.

At the end of he interview, it is normal to be asked "do you have any questions for me/us" - great if you have, but if everything has been covered during the interview, tell them as such.

Of course it varies on the vacancy and number of applicants, but so many times I have found it a really close call to decide between applicant A and B, so you have to try to do something that makes the small difference and gives you that small advantage over the other person.

Good luck

[Siani]

I have no tattoos, no piercings and I am only a little bit hippy on the inside. I am sometimes drunk, but not at the moment and not in the ineterview :p

When I mentioned my suit jacket and T-shirt, I meant this kind of look.

Tom you mentioned "sometimes drunk"...it is so important for you to realise that you must NOT have a few drinks for "dutch courage or to calm your nerves" before the interview, as truly it would be a big mistake. Please remember this, as it is very important. This is sound advice. If this job is important to you, which I think it is, go there with a clear head...ok, if needs be, have a drink afterwards

Please be sensible

Good luck..we all wish you well

[BaaBaa.]

Is this a very clever parody?

[johnnyk]

Excellent advice from Danny Boy. I would add, don't try to be funny. Humour is difficult with people you don't know and it can backfire badly.
In Thailand a tie isn't really necessary, many prominent people are seen without them (eg. Mr. Shinawatra) but a shirt w/collar is essential.
And shoes, not sandals. Feet are not well-regarded so don't show them bare.

[usual suspect]

A belt..goes a long way in Thailand.

[Dr Michael]

The conventional wisdom is to show that you are energetic, dynamic, imaginative, full of ideas and enthusvi may work or it could be a disaster. If you are being interviewed by dull, unimaginative people, they would be terrified of somebody like that. So first 5 mins--keep it bland and assess the interviewers.

[dozer]

I would say shirt with a collar, tie optional, jacket, and a smart pair of slacks, with a belt, shoes and socks.
I have been involved with interviewing Thais and farang in Thailand for 20 years plus, mostly at engineering level.
These days the farang has to have a very compelling reason as to why he/she should get the position rather than their Thai counterpart.
Almost always we will go for the Thai and that’s got absolutely nothing to do with cost, but more to do with the fact that the farang comes with a lot of baggage and they are higher maintenance.
So I try to find out as much as possible about their lifestyle and just how keen they are to live here.