South Korea to ban ties and formal shoes at job interviews
Starting in October, ties and formal shoes will be banned at interviews for positions in South Korea’s central government agencies. According to The Korea Herald, the Ministry of Personnel Management has issued guidelines on comfortable but neat clothing to make the atmosphere during interviews more comfortable for candidates.
Recommended clothing
Candidates are advised to avoid suits. Those who arrive wearing a tie will be asked to remove it, while people in formal shoes will be offered shoe covers.
As examples of simple and neat attire, the ministry named jumpers, casual shirts, knitwear, trousers, cotton pants, jeans, casual shoes and sneakers. At the same time, the agency warned against excessively informal styles: hiking clothing, tracksuits and other sportswear, shorts, sleeveless shirts and slippers are not recommended for interviews.
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Reasons and reaction
The ministry said that despite previous recommendations on casual clothing, most applicants continued to attend interviews in suits. According to an official, this made the atmosphere unnatural, while the sound of formal shoes could be distracting during interviews.
Government work has become less popular among young Koreans in recent years, but competition for such positions remains high due to the relative stability of employment. This prompts many candidates to prepare carefully for interviews, including by buying suits and visiting salons for hair and makeup.
The announcement prompted mixed reactions online. Some commenters supported the new rules as a way to remove an unnecessary burden, since there may be few opportunities to wear a full suit after an interview. Others fear that candidates will have to worry additionally about determining an acceptable level of informality in their clothing.
