'Wear dress shoes, get shoe covers': Necktie, dress shoe ban for civil servant interviews

Neckties and dress shoes will be banned at national civil service interview exams. Candidates who show up wearing them will have their ties removed and shoe covers placed over their dress shoes on the spot.

The Ministry of Personnel Management posted a "Notice on Dress Code for National Civil Service Interview Exams" on the national civil service recruitment system Thursday. The rule will apply to interview exams the ministry runs for civil service recruitment starting in October.

The notice discourages both men and women from wearing suits and bans neckties and dress shoes outright. Instead, it recommends "simple attire" that will not interfere with candidates' ability to perform well. Recommended items include outerwear such as jackets, shirts, knitwear, slacks, cotton pants, jeans, flat shoes and sneakers.

The notice also listed clothing it does not recommend, including hiking gear, tracksuits, shorts, sleeveless tops, high heels and slippers.

The Ministry of Personnel Management also attached six sample photos created using AI, showing men and women wearing jeans, denim skirts, knitwear and cardigans.

"We recommend simple attire for interviews that will not interfere with candidates' ability to perform well," the ministry said. "However, most applicants still show up in suits, which makes the interview atmosphere unnatural and disrupts exam operations due to noise from footsteps, among other issues."

"We are reiterating our recommendation for simple attire to ease the burden on applicants and allow them to take part in interviews in a comfortable, natural atmosphere," the ministry added.

As the notice spread across social media and online communities, reactions were mixed. Some welcomed the change, saying it would ease the financial burden of buying formal wear and help candidates stay cool in the heat. Others said the vague standards would only add to their worries, or that wearing a suit was simply more comfortable.