Job Discussion Forums

jacqui · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 35

Hi everyone,
I've noticed that many schools ask for a photo with your application. How important is your appearance and what exactly are they looking for? I'm assuming that piercings, pink hair and other things of that nature are not accepted. Also, I look much younger then I actually am (I'm sometimes pegged as 16). Will this have any effect?
Thanks for any information,
Jacqui

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Looking younger in a photo is never bad? Don't worry about that. A professional looking photo is best. This would be your first face to face meeting, in a sense, so put on a good smile and show them the side that's going to teach.

Piercings, save for something tasteful on the ear are out, in the photo or to teach. Violent pink hair would not go over great, if that's what you mean.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Think "passport photo".

If you have an unusual hair color, try using a B&W photograph.

jacqui · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 35

I don't have an unusual haircolor, just wondering if that would have an effect. As for the piercing, my nose is pierced but it is more cultural then a fashion statement. I'm guessing I would have to take it our regardless.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Piercings are not considered professional appearance here.

In Latin America a lot more emphasis is placed on what they call "presentation"--women wear more makeup (I read somewhere that Mexican women spend more per capita on makeup than women from other countries), and spend more time getting themselves fixed up before leaving the house, etc.

If you are going to try to get a job here, you should be aware of the cultural norms. That being said, I would never consider working for a school or university in Latin America that asked me for a photo of myself, as I consider asking for a photo to be unprofessional!

chula · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:28 pm Post subject:

Hey--I look 16 too! I'm actually 26, but most people think I'm still a high school student and not a teacher. I worked at a university and they said they wanted to see a picture to 'be able to read me better and have a better idea of who I was' and also, to make sure that I was, unfortunately, white. They didn't really do anything with the picture, but they wanted to see me beforehand. It also helps to remember the person or get a feel for them in there is a phone interview.
I showed up with my tongue pierced twice, my septum pierced, and a massive 7 hour tattoo visible and they gave me a tenured position, so I guess experience and education overruled the craziness I exuded.

jacqui · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 35

Well thats good to know! My worry is that they may not think I look white, most people guess that I am Greek but some say partly middle eastern. My actual race is undefinable but I was wondering if this would cause any problems? Do most schools only want white teachers?

chula · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject:

If you're undicernable, as you put it, you'll be okay. Most guess that I'm Mexican, but it's really Polish.

The school I was at didn't mind most races. They just didn't want African American teachers because they held the stereotype that they "couldn't speak correctly."

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Ain't that the truth. I have had a devil of time trying to find jobs for Nigerian teachers. Same escape clause everytime...'oh, their accent is just not what we are looking for' - cover for being racist.

Moonraven, I feel the same about asking for photos. I'm always asked by employers to send in a photo for applicants but feel very wrong about asking for one from a teacher. That's my Canadian viewpoint, so I have to strike a balance with what's considered normal here.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Well, Guy, I have never been asked for a photo here. Nor anywhere else in Latin America, for that matter.

I have noticed that when some Asian-based schools advertise for teachers, they ask for photos.

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

The school I work at wants to be able to show off all their very white and usually blond teachers. They won�t hire anyone of African descent, which is why they ask for the photo. They also want to see if the applicant will send a professional photo or not. You would be surprise to see some of the unprofessional things that are sent here. One lady sent a picture in which she was wearing a very short shirt which exposed her flabby belly and love handles. Things like that eliminate a candidate. Would she dress like that at work as well? We don�t know.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

Give us what were loookin' for Flo!~

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

C'mon, dressing the "part" isn't all that difficult folks. Part of teaching English is a lot like a "show" so it's just part of the costume.
As the wise man said, "Ain't no big t'ing."

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I don't see why it should be all that hard to dress in a presentable manner in the classroom.

Whether one likes it or not, the reality is that students constantly make judgments about their teachers. If you look like a bum, you are communicating that you don't care about your profession, your students or yourself.

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject: photo

I was asked for a photo for this job as is every applicant for ITESM. I was concerned about it as well, with my NA attitude about such things. But I was asked for it well after it became apparent that they were interested in me. I did not send it in with my application although I knew it is common practice here.

I guess Im guera enough that I passed whatever racial test there may have been, if there was one (though I have extremely curly hair) - I was concerned about my appearance however - specifically my weight. Im a big girl. And my age. Turns out my weight was a non-issue and since I look younger than I am I got the job. My boss (now ex-boss) later sucked in a little air when I told him my age (well after I was hired and started working). He never asked. I never volunteered. I was 38 when I got this job. My current boss doesnt give a hoot about my age.

FWIW What we would call age and sex discrimination are quite legal here. Just look at the job ads. The thing about the picture, at least in my case, is that it serves the same purpose as a face-to-face interview. If an employer is going to discriminate based on race, s/he can do it via a photo or via an interview. Its not right but its not up to us. We have to play by Mexico's rules. Just dont send a pic until/unless they ask for it.