|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
ravel
Joined: 28 Jan 2007
Posts: 50
Location: Pyeongnae, then Osaka
|
 Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:47 am Post subject: Jobs, age and facial hair. |
 |
|
Hey Guys,
I'm thinking about ways to increase the number of part time job offers I get.
In the west salesmen with facial hair make less money, are assessed as less honest and trustworthy than clean shaven men. Does anyone know what if the same is true here?
My age has almost been an issue before in Korea. I usually indicate my age or date of birth and other information that suggests my age near the top of my resume.
I am considering obscuring or removing some or all age information to see if it gets me more offers. Does anyone know if age is an issue here? What information can I get away with omitting, if any?
Ravel |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ravel wrote: |
In the west salesmen with facial hair make less money, are assessed as less honest and trustworthy than clean shaven men. Does anyone know what if the same is true here? |
They are considered more scruffy/unprofessional looking than dishonest, but then appearence is extremely important here.
Manly stubble might be considered a turn on for some in the west; here it is a big no-no.
A well trimmed and maintained beard might be tolerated by some employers but many will want you to remove it and turning up for an interview with one might not be for the best. If you can bring yourself to go without, then do so.
| Quote: |
| I am considering obscuring or removing some or all age information to see if it gets me more offers. Does anyone know if age is an issue here? What information can I get away with omitting, if any? |
Should age be an issue? Well unless you are of an age where you are no longer so mobile, are unable to manage stairs and will have problems standing for fairly long periods of time, then no it shouldn't.
Is it an issue? Well how old are you talking and what kind of positions are you looking for? In the case of entry level work, there are many employers taking on "older" new recruits as opposed to mainly fresh faced recent grads in their twenties as was the case in the past, but there are a few that may still filter out less young applicants. At the same time, there may also be some who see life experience, work experience and not being in uni party mode as a plus.
You can try omitting your age on your CV and cover letter, but many will ask you to send/email a recent photo of yourself and a copy of the info page on your passport, so your age won't remain a secret for long if at all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: Jobs, age and facial hair. |
|
|
| ravel wrote: |
Hey Guys,
I'm thinking about ways to increase the number of part time job offers I get. |
Most people I know who do PT work a lot are just hard-working hustling people. They advertise or let word-of-mouth advertising work for them. They constantly keep on the lookout for the next job to add to their string.
| Quote: |
| In the west salesmen with facial hair make less money, are assessed as less honest and trustworthy than clean shaven men. Does anyone know what if the same is true here? |
Pretty much, yes. Look around and see how few Japanese have facial hair.
| Quote: |
| My age has almost been an issue before in Korea. I usually indicate my age or date of birth and other information that suggests my age near the top of my resume. |
Doubtful this will be a problem unless you are 70 or more. Or if you are over 45 and want to teach little children.
| Quote: |
| I am considering obscuring or removing some or all age information to see if it gets me more offers. |
They'll ask anyway. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ravel
Joined: 28 Jan 2007
Posts: 50
Location: Pyeongnae, then Osaka
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thanks seklarwia and Glenski,
It's as I suspected. I'm 42 and it's never come up as an issue, especially since most people thinks I'm in my mid to late 30's and fitter than most 20 years olds.
I think I'll lose the date of birth information, it's not that I mind if they ask, but I don't want it to disqualify me before the interview.
I work with young kids and adults and once they see me with kids I usually get an offer on the spot;-)
I'll ponder the beard thing, it's kept at 6mm, but now I know keeping it could make my search harder.
I'm looking for extra work, so I don't need it so much as want a little extra cash.
IF for some reason I don't get what I want fast enough, I'll shave it.
ravel |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Deep Thirteen
Joined: 23 May 2009
Posts: 39
Location: East Sea Japan
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Jobs, age and facial hair. |
|
|
| ravel wrote: |
Hey Guys,
In the west salesmen with facial hair make less money, are assessed as less honest and trustworthy than clean shaven men. |
This made me laugh today.
Maybe unintentional, but funny statement nonetheless. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
starteacher
Joined: 25 Feb 2009
Posts: 237
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
In the west salesmen with facial hair make less money, are assessed as less honest and trustworthy than clean shaven men.
|
Blast, Santa must suck. 
I don't think age is important, for little children either.
Age is a sign of respect in Japan, there used to be a tendency that English was all "fun jump and go", and maybe if you're working in a kindergarten and working with very very little children that is so. But I have seen older women (in their 40s, 50s and up) work there. The image of English is changing, it is getting more serious. As such, so is the way employers are looking at the industry. The average age of ALTs are also, I think, older than a decade years ago (but that's just a general observation - maybe others on this forum could shed light if they think teachers are getting older, and correct me if I am wrong).
At the same time, I also know some parents like it better if the older teachers (say in their 40s+) have a family which means they have real contact with children of their own, and in fact they (the parents) are the same age as the teacher so there is more in common, and that could change the way they perceive the teacher. Someone old (i.e. 40+) and married with kids and someone of the same age but single will have different perspectives, in as much as someone is is 28 married with kids, to someone 28 and single.
One other thing, the population is getting older, especially Japan, so people who are 40 are still considered young. Besides, if you feel you are old, you'll act that way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
flyer
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 539
Location: Sapporo Japan
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:32 am Post subject: Re: Jobs, age and facial hair. |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Or if you are over 45 and want to teach little children. |
I question this!
while its not the ideal, perhaps, I know of quite a few teachers over 45 that teach a lot of young kids (with absolutely no problems) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
