How to dress for a global development job interview

Whether you’re an independent consultant from Islamabad preparing for a job interview with a U.S. donor, or a French NGO representative about to meet new development business partners in Manila — chances are you’ve found yourself wondering: What do I wear? Dressing for business meetings or job interviews can be a challenge for globe-trotting, culture-hopping aid workers. True, the dilemma is common in any industry — but it is especially tricky in one that covers a diverse range of organizations and regions, such as international development. One general rule to follow when figuring out how to dress for the occasion, according to Valarie Barksdale, a recruitment specialist for the Catholic Relief Services: You want to look like you want the job. But what does that really mean? Devex spoke with several recruiters and certified image consultants about how to dress for success in international development. Stay on the safe side Although some nonprofits and international organizations have more casual dress codes for employees, it’s a good idea to be more formal for a job interview or business meeting. At CRS, employees can dress casually on Thursdays and Fridays, according to Barksdale. She, however, suggested that individuals interviewing there wear nicer outfits. Men should don a jacket and tie, while women may wear a suit, or a nice pair of slacks and a jacket. According to Brad Baxter, a chief of party at Tetra Tech ARD, representing yourself in your best attire for a formal job interview is the same in Iraq, Afghanistan and developed countries around the globe. “Presenting yourself based upon not only your skills but your ability to look, act and be the face of the agency is one of the most important aspects that one can bring to the interview,” said Baxter, who in the past was involved in hiring locals. “While culture plays into one’s formal dress and appearance, it should be recognized that all international development firms, NGOs and government agencies understand the term ‘business attire.’” Remember regional and national differences Keep in mind that there may be some regional differences in what is considered appropriate interview attire. In Asia, for instance, each country has nuances in business clothes, but typically, office attire becomes more conservative the farther north you go. Jackets are less common in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore than in Shanghai or Seoul, where a dark suit is the norm. In some countries, such as Thailand and the Philippines, short-sleeved shirts are OK for men, but in other places, such as countries in the Middle East, short sleeves are out. Professional attire also varies from country to country in Latin America. In Argentina, for instance, men and women typically wear designer business suits in colors such as navy blue and black. In tropical El Salvador, on the other hand, men often dress in conservative lightweight suits, and women wear either a skirt and blouse or a dress to the office. In most Middle Eastern nations, women should cover up to the neck, conceal their arms past the elbows, and cover their legs past the knees, says Barbara DesChamps, an author and image consultant. In some places, women may also need to cover their head, so it is a good idea for Western woman traveling on business to bring a scarf. In Europe, differences are more subtle. In France, men tend to wear a dark suit and white shirt with an expensive tie. Women in France, Italy and Spain dress up a lot, and people in the United States might consider their clothing flashy. In the Netherlands and Denmark, people want to blend in rather than stand out. “They’re not going for designer duds,” said DesChamps, who described the overall sensibility in northern Europe as “more egalitarian.” Within a single nation, there can be variations depending on the part of the country. In the Philippines, for example, there are areas that are Catholic and areas that are Muslim. “Be aware when traveling back and forth,” said DesChamps, who suggested that female travelers bring a lightweight jacket and a scarf so they can cover up easily when moving from one area to another. Although experts say Western-style business attire is usually best, in some contexts it may be acceptable to wear local garb to an interview with a nongovernmental or international organization. In India, for instance, many professional women wear salwar kameez or saris to work. If you opt to dress in a sari for an interview, it is best to wear one that is a conservative color with a formal blouse. If you’re a Muslim woman who wears a hijab, a Jewish man who wears a yarmulke or a Sikh with long hair covered in a turban, this is also fine for an interview. Most aid agencies, nonprofits and humanitarian aid organizations, both in the United States and elsewhere, are open to employees wearing articles of faith. Dress to fit the organizational culture What’s considered dressy enough can also vary depending on the organization or even the particular department within it. Employees at the United Nations typically wear formal business attire — a tailored suit and tie for men and a pant suit or skirted suit for women works. Although organizations such as theU.N. Development Program do interviews largely by phone, if you have a face-to-face interview for a professional position, put on a business suit. If you’re meeting someone for lunch at the Delegates Dining Room at U.N. headquarters, business attire is required. Are you going to meet with an environmental advocate? A fur coat might not be the best thing to wear. Preparing for the U.S. foreign service oral assessment? You probably don’t need to wear an American flag pin, but business attire is appropriate. Proper attire in development hot spots What about organizations in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan? Again, although a business suit is always appropriate for an interview, there are variations in dress depending on the organization and the occasion. “Suits are very common for men in Iraqi government offices, and just slightly less common in Iraqi NGO offices,” said a U.S. government representative in Iraq. “But I find Iraqis very understanding of the fact that difficult travel, such as in military vehicles, can make suits difficult to manage.” According to Natalie Galley, who works for an American company in Iraq, attire at the firm “is generally the same as what would be considered ‘casual Friday’ attire in the USA (khaki slacks, polo shirt, etc).” She added: “If there is a meeting or conference we wear suits (men and women). The Iraqi staff, especially women, tend to dress the same as what Americans might consider for a night on the town. Very decorative (not business attire, but not casual).” Most women in Iraq dress in a long skirt and long-sleeved shirt, and Muslim women cover their heads with scarves. In Baghdad, women wear more colorful clothing, whereas in Sadr City and rural areas they dress in black. If a woman is non-Muslim, she tends to not wear a scarf but still dress conservatively. When in doubt, ask If you’re not sure what to wear, speak with the human resource representative or recruiter ahead of time. Keep in mind that “business casual,” which is a notch below “business formal,” may mean different things at different organizations. At some companies it may be khakis and a polo shirt, whereas at others it may mean a nice pair of slacks with a sport coat or sweater. “You have to find somebody on the ground to be your eyes,” says DesChamps. “There’s no substitute for talking to people who know.” But remember: People’s powers of observation vary. Also, different words (“formal,” “casual” etc.) mean different things in various cultures. If you’re not certain, ask the person to be specific. General garb guidelines Women - Wear a solid-colored suit in a conservative color. - When wearing a skirt, make sure it is long enough that you can sit comfortably. - Avoid tops with plunging necklines. - Shoes should be conservative and match the rest of your outfit. - Don’t put on too much makeup or jewelry. If you wear nail polish, opt for a neutral hue such as a soft pink or clear polish. According to Machbitz, natural-looking makeup “will make you look more professional.” Men - Dress in a dark business suit, a tie and a long-sleeved shirt. - Wear nicely polished conservative leather shoes. - Socks should be matched to either your shoe color or pants. - Make sure fingernails are neatly trimmed and the hair is neat. - Keep jewelry to a minimum, if you wear it at all. Both women and men - Skip perfume or cologne because not everyone has the same taste in fragrances. Machbitz said applicants should “just be freshly groomed.” - Carry a portfolio or professional-looking briefcase in a color such as black or brown. Don’t wait until the morning of the interview - Try on your interview attire the day before the interview, and make sure everything fits well and is clean and wrinkle-free. - Make sure your outfit is comfortable since the interview could last several hours. - Before you leave the house, glance at yourself in the mirror again to make sure you look your best. Read more international development career advice articles.