Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Tomorrow morning I have an interview at what sounds like a very good job, so I went out and bought a suit. Actually in the past I once showed up unshaven, in t-shirt and jeans and still got the hagwon job. These days it seems to be getting tougher and I think it's a good idea to try to look presentable. I think now there may be more teachers than jobs, and given the weight this society places upon appearances, it is wise to look your best at least for that first meeting to see if you are a good candidate for the job. I have been naive lately thinking a new job was automatic, as it pretty much was in the past, but the past few weeks of scrambling about have set me straight. I think it's getting tougher. Don't just expect to walk in any old way you choose and think you got the job automatically because you're the foreigner they need. They may just have a few other foreigners to choose from. Just my views at the moment.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Sounds like a good plan jajude... I just hope they don't expect you to wear one every day Wink

Good luck with your job interview Very Happy

Skarp · Joined: 22 Aug 2003

Indeed. Best to overdo it at interview I think....

Let us know how you get on. You are doing cutting edge operational research for the rest of us..

Skarp

The Man known as The Man · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2003 9:47 am Post subject:

Even if it doesn't matter a whit of differnece, wearing a suit is a good habit to have for interviews and somehat formal occasions.

Especially in Korea when its so freaking humid and the last thing you want to do at that time is wear anything other than boxers and sandals.

kimcheeking · Guest

Why would you not wear a suit?

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:42 pm Post subject:

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I have often worn suits, but at the very least, I wear a very nice long-sleeve shirt and tie with dress pants (had several of these outfits custom-made at Hamilton Shirts in Itaewon).

By the way, I interviewed at 9 schools a few months back, and had an offer from every single one.

Dressing for success is a very important part of getting a good job here. In Korea, it's all about first impressions and how you look. With the women too. If all of the teachers here could figure that one out (amazed that some don't, but then again, many are young and used to smoking pot in Canada) they would have a lot more fun.

*laugh*

But it's true!

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

I mean if you going to work at some dodgy hakwon teaching the brats of korean students.. elementary etc... then why bother..
the director might think you are too much and not hire you..
I think casual is fine..
slacks, shirt will surfice. unless you are going for a famous school, or uni then suit yes..

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

Sure appearances make all the difference here.
I have a friend who was kind of like a mentor to me growing up, and she would nag me to wear really nice clothes to all my after-school retail job interviews. I didn't see any point to it at the time, especially since I KNEW I would be able to dress down afterwards if I got the job.

But reflecting on her advice it only makes sense, and if you are the only one who wears a suit to "just" a hagwan job interview, you'll stand out in a more positive light than the other candidates.

Anyways I hope you get the job!

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 12:18 am Post subject:

I am now on my third job in Korea. It is in a University. My first two jobs were in colleges. I wore a brand new suit and tie etc. for my second interview. For the first job and my current position, all I wore for the interview was a pair of boxers. Embarassed

The weather was very hot and humid for those two job interviews and there was no AC. Oh, by the way, those two interviews were done by phone Wink

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Error on the side of caution - wear the suit.

Starperson · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

Hey that was a funny one.

I've always dressed up for interviews. It's crazy not to.

William Beckerson · Guest

I always found dress pants/ shirt and a tie was enough.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Well i wore the suit but didn't get that job. It was working for Samsung and teaching management trainees at 3.5 m a month. They had a good few candidates i guess for just 2 positions. oh well. But then later today got a job in Ilsan. Usual 2.0 and all. Didn't wear a suit or tie there, when I visited 2 days ago.... lol Maybe I didn't make good impressions or just had some bad luck this month. Mental note: In the future must try harder... Wink

Cheers from jaj, now at the ripe ol' age of 34.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Sorry to hear that about Samsung.

You need an M.A. for that gig, don't you.

What did the people seem like there - friendly?

I'd imagine that for 3.5 Million Won a month that ther'ed be some stiff competition.

I've thought about putting my resume in for a position there the next time they send an add out for instructors.

Anyone here work for Samsung?