Job Discussion Forums

Warrior10 · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Toronto, Canada.

I've browsed through the Job forums in Dave's and a lot of the Korean and Chinese postings have "submit a recent photo" as an application requirement?

Why is this? Let's keep it real.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

In some cases, a photo may be required to process a visa or work permit. If that's the reason, the request is legit. In other cases, it's a subtle form of racial and/or age discrimination. Dodgy school owners are often interested in hiring the 'ideal caucasion boy or girl' because they think it's good for business, but they can't come out and say that in their advertisements. Requiring a photo is an easy way around that. They may use the photo to weed out African Americans, Asians, people who are overweight or old farts like me --- because we don't fit their business model. Personally I think it s.u.c.k.s but there's not too much you can do about it with the exception of NOT APPLYING to those schools. The other thing you can do is copy/paste a recent photo of Tom Cruise into your CV --- just for fun.

Bangkok in Focus

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

Have TEFL. Will travel.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ You're hired. Laughing

You start speak English soon - no worry grammar, shake body, make funny.

Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

Because, in most of Asia, it's easier to get a job if you're Aryan & beautiful, regardless of qualifications/experince.

Sad but true.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Don't know. BUt here in Peru, all CVs, for Peruvians and foreigners require photos.

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

It's just a common requirement in MOST Of the world - I wouldn't read too much into it. And I don't see too much wrong with it. It is interesting to see if someone is with it enough to put together a decent and appropriate photo.

There are, of course, countries and employers, who use it to discriminate - but you don't want to work for those flaky folks anyway.

I am male and 55, and I DO hope an employer looking for bouncy perky 20-something female for their kindy classes WILL discriminate and not even bother to call me . . .

The photo, to me, is just another measure of appropriateness. I've seen resumes where the contact email for a potential kindy teacher was - and I kid you not - something like: HotSe*[email protected]

And, I've also seen resume photos of people who are obviously drunk, half undressed and on and on. Personally - I think they help you pick who you want.

I know photos are non-PC, but I've lived overseas since 1989 and don't care about PC.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:28 am Post subject:

I haven't really ever worked in a country where a photo was a general requirement at the application stage. (Though once hired I have shared photos with the new boss, in order to help her know who to look for at the airport.)

I understand that it can help with appropriacy. But it also gives the school the potential to discriminate according to colour, age, attractiveness, or whatever.

I have never requested photos as part of the application process. But I do go into some detail in correspondence about appropriacy issues that matter in our local market, such as visible tatoos, non-traditional piercings, and "radical" hairstyles.

best,
Justin