Interview attire for academic interview in Germany

[radicaldog]

I'm quite fed up with the bureaucracy and creeping privatisation of UK higher education and I've started looking elsewhere. So I've just been shortlisted for a junior faculty position in a humanities department in Germany. I'm really unfamiliar with that environment. Any recommendations for the interview? What's the standard, suits or flannels and sportcoats?

 

[TRINI]

Hugo Boss.

 

[radicaldog]

^ Of course. And jackboots. Maybe I shouldn't mention that in the interview though.

 

[M.D.]

Where in Germany? I've worked for a month in Hamburg, and dress code there was very conservative. 'Dark suits with black shoes'-conservative...

 

[radicaldog]

^ Bavaria. But it's a philosophy department.

 

[Hans]

Originally Posted by radicaldog

suits or flannels and sportcoats?

Either would do. Pick the one you are most comfortable in (and wear a conservative tie).

In my experience, philosophers in Germany are not quite as suit-averse as they are in the northeastern US.

Good luck with your interview!

 

[old-school academic]

I'd go with the suit. German academics, even philosophy dept. academics, tend towards the conservative. In any case, for an interview better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. Good luck!

 

[Annadale]

Originally Posted by Hans

Either would do. Pick the one you are most comfortable in (and wear a conservative tie).

In my experience, philosophers in Germany are not quite as suit-averse as they are in the northeastern US.

Good luck with your interview!

My philosophy professor in Ireland wore suits and sports jacket. Very sombre, I'm afraid, dark to black and back again. Great teacher though, very passionate.

 

[Annadale]

^
Oops, forgot to say, he was German!

 

[comrade]

If a hat is required this is your best bet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filer...ickelhaube.jpg

 

[TEHesketh]

My experience of academics in Germany is that they dress really, really badly.
However, its an interview, I would err on the side of caution. You have two advantages, in general the Germans like the Brits, and also expect them to be more formal, so even if you were overdressed I don't think you would be marked down for it (unless you were simply unlucky on the day of course, but that can cut both ways).

On another note, as a British ex-pat who's been living in Germany for about 20 years (with a year in the UK in between), don't expect Germany to be less bureaucratic than the UK. It may not necessarily be worse, but it definitely is not better and as a non-national you will have a lot to sort out until you get settled. It can be very hard and frustrating work, although your employer may help.
On the positive side, if you make the effort it can be a really good place to live, I certainly can't imagine moving back. Just try and make a bit of effort and most Germans will welcome you. Don't emulate those ex-pats that after 15 years still can't speak more than a few words of German.

 

[P-K-L]

Originally Posted by radicaldog

^ Bavaria. But it's a philosophy department.

Bavaria is practically Italy.

For the rest of Germany, wear Eterna shirts and Lloyd shoes - they will welcome you as one of them.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by radicaldog

I'm quite fed up with the bureaucracy and creeping privatisation of UK higher education and I've started looking elsewhere. So I've just been shortlisted for a junior faculty position in a humanities department in Germany. I'm really unfamiliar with that environment. Any recommendations for the interview? What's the standard, suits or flannels and sportcoats?
It's a tough life being an academic...!!!

 

[GBer]

Worked with Germans before. They are conservative. Easiest to go with a light to med gray suit + white shirt + conservative tie + black shoes. Not sure about the academics, but the professors I've met in the work environment are dressed similarly.

 

[sartorial_marxist]