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majestic58
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 19
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject: Is being overweight going to make it difficult to find a job |
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Hello! I'm a Canadian female who will be graduating with a BA in linguistics and I'm looking to spend some time overseas teaching English after getting my CELTA. My question is, will my being overweight make it impossible to find a job? I'm looking mainly at Asia at the moment but haven't narrowed it down further than that. Any input (other than "just lose the weight you slob") would be greatly appreciated.  |
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scholar
Joined: 18 May 2012
Posts: 159
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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All other things being equal, a thin candidate might get the job, but most schools can't be that choosy. You should be fine.
Primary factors are that you have the skin color they want, come from a native-English-speaking country, have a bachelor's degree (so they can secure a visa), and don't have obvious physical problems such as a lame leg. Secondary factors are age, weight, gender, general attractiveness, certificates, and advanced degrees.
Most schools can only worry about the primary factors. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Dunno. I advise just have a few drinks. Get the interviewers to have a few shots too. Can't go wrong after that. At least, that is how I hire staff - and they all seemed just swimming at the time! |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| I believe that's how I got my job too, come to think of it... |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: Is being overweight going to make it difficult to find a |
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| majestic58 wrote: |
| Hello! I'm a Canadian female who will be graduating with a BA in linguistics and I'm looking to spend some time overseas teaching English after getting my CELTA. My question is, will my being overweight make it impossible to find a job? I'm looking mainly at Asia at the moment but haven't narrowed it down further than that. Any input (other than "just lose the weight you slob") would be greatly appreciated. |
It'll be an issue in Asia, but probably not in gaining employment. I have heard of people being turned down for jobs in Korea, due to their size, but I'm not sure how widespread it is. I think the bigger problem isn't getting the job, but more about putting up with a constant barrage of comments/insults about your size once you've got the job. In Korea if you're 6-7 lbs overweight people will notice it. It's a national obsession. Saudi has their gender segregation and Korea has their fixation with fat.
I had quite a belly on me during my first year in Korea, and I got so bored of hearing about my weight that in my 2nd year I went on an extreme diet regime and lost 23kgs. The hassle you get about your weight from every 2nd person you meet can drive you up the wall. This goes doubly so if you're teaching kids. Believe me, those little monsters can be merciless when it comes to making you aware of your size.
In China I was 5'10, with a good build, and at 80kg people thought me fat. The problem is that the average Chinese person is very slim, so even a few extra kgs does make you stand out from the crowd.
I would definitely avoid Korea, unless you have a very thick skin. I would probably say the same for China too. |
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HK_GURU
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 5:51 am Post subject: |
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| Sadly it will ne a big negative for you in Asia. The Asian markets (which are varied in themselves) discriminate when hiring foreign teachers based on age, race, weight and looks. This is not to say that you will not find a job but you should know from the start that it may well make things harder. You will certainly need to develop a thick skin too as Koreans and Chinese have no hesitation in calling you fat, rubbing your stomach, etc. good luck. |
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Jbhughes
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Add Vietnam to the list. Plenty of belly rubbing here, too.
Having lost a little weight recently, one of the students in the school called me thin, just can't win sometimes! |
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contented
Joined: 17 Oct 2011
Posts: 136
Location: اسطنبول
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Is being overweight going to make it difficult to find a |
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| majestic58 wrote: |
| My question is, will my being overweight make it impossible to find a job? |
No, it won't. Be positive, full of confidence and focus on your assets. |
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