Job Discussion Forums

modal_particle · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 16

Hi all,

Does anyone know if it's legal to ask someone's age in a job interview in Taiwan? It's definitely not legal in the US.

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

Do you think it will stop them?

caylia · Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

BigWally · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject:

Seeing that they will have access to all your personal information when/if they decide to hire you (ie. work permit & arc applications), I would suggest that lying would not be in your favor. Just tell the truth.

The reality is that some schools do have preferences in types of teachers.

I'm not condoning or advocating this behaviour, and I'm not saying that every school is like this, but this is the reality that I lived for two years, and events that I've experienced, and been a part of first hand.

I've seen cute blonde girls get hired over more competent older women, because the cute blonde is going to be more of a spectacle. I've seen girls get hired over guys several times, and I've seen a good friend get fired in order to keep two girls employed (even though he was actually a qualified B.Ed teaching in a bushiban). I've seen people get told to their face, that they look too old, and wouldn't be the right fit.

I've always heard that "older" teachers usually have more success in the more rural settings, where things are less "superficial" and the traditional Confucian values are stronger. (ie. more respect given to elders/teachers) Then again, it can also be said that there is always a job available at some school if you're willing to be far enough away from a major city.

The east coast is always an option too, but you'd really be out of touch from a strong western influence there. It is much less westernized than the west coast, although there are a lot of changes happening all the time to open up the east.

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

As far as I know it is legal to ask someone's age. It is in most countries. And as Big Wally has said, the schools will see your age in your passport anyway.

For anyone planning to get old teaching English, it would be a good idea to get as well qualified as you can.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

How are they not going to know your age before you get interviewed?

Application forms ask for your age, and at the same time stating age is one element of a cv/resume.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:17 pm Post subject:

There are good buxibans, there are great buxibans, and there are shite buxibans.

Foreign teacher qualifications for shite buxibans in Taiwan (in order):

Under 30
Female
Tall
Thin
Blond hair
Blue eyes

How easy it is to find a job is directly proportional to how many of those qualifications you possess.

Zoidberg's Rule of Personal Questions:

If you are asked how old you are, the laoban is only interested in young people. He / she doesn't give a f*ck about ability. You could be a pedophile, drug dealer, or mass murderer for all he / she cares.

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

If you are not asked how old you are it would be strange. Any employer can look and know roughly how old you are, and when they process your ARC they will know your age.

And why would anyone want to work in a bad language school?

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:26 am Post subject:

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

StayingPower · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252

Tell them your age. In Korea they've hired guys/gals-at universities-over 50. In Taiwan I'm 44, tell them my age everytiime. If the picture fits, so do you.

A sought out teacher in the U.S. is exactly my age, because we have a sense of authority, experience, and discipline. But a clown. . .

Don't bark up the wrong leg.

modal_particle · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 16

Oddly enough, it's because I'm too young rather than too old. I ended up being offered the job anyway.

phdinfunk · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 69

I think it's important to put one's best foot forward...

At the same time, in the hiring process, almost everything seems to work better for everyone if potential employers get a bit of a "what you see is what you get."

Prevents disappointments all around.

I was aware of a couple of teachers who were hired at upscale schools in Taipei city where they actually WANTED someone to "look and act American" so the cool haircuts and tattoos and piercings were an asset. Granted, out of the 20-30 teachers all around Taipei I was in frequent contact with, and many many more I knew, that was the one case of that I ever saw.

I'll side with everyone who says you want to find a good fit.