Korean Job Discussion Forums

[freebeacher]

I asked this question before but wish to see if any others have opinions today.

I am 49 and have been told I am much too old to be considered for a job in Korea, especially in Busan where I am interested in getting a job.

I wish to teach adults only, not children. Recruiters RBI and Kim n' Joe say I'm over the hill, forget it. Is there anyone else who can help me get a job with adults there?

Thank you.

Freebeacher

[Oliver]

Complete nonsense. I've met plenty of English teachers here in your age bracket, and older. Try a different recruiter.

[frankly speaking]

Don't you ever get tired of redoing threads to death?

I think this topic has been discussed a minimum of 10 times a year for the past 10 years.

I know we don't have to respond to any thread, but I for one am really tired of seeing the same old tired threads resurfacing every month or so.


As any question, it depends on your qualifications.

Why listen to recruiters? They are FOS. They don't want to waste time on anything but a quick fit. They don't make money if they spend more than a few hours per candidate.

[freebeacher]

Thanks Oliver. Who? Which recruiter?

Most of my adult life is filled with business experience. I cannot believe 20+ years of business experience combined with being a native speaker of English is not considered desirable in Korea. I thought Asian countries respected older people.

[freebeacher]

Sorry to so upset your day frankly speaking but the idea of having forums is to communicate. Otherwise Sperling would just put up a closed sticky and have no need of ANY discussion boards for any country, any subject, right??? It seems you feel anyone visiting the website within the last 10 years should not ask any questions. If my question or comment annoys or offends you you can choose silence and let others participate who do wish to give me advice. Is that OK with you? Thank you.

[Hotpants]

49 and 'over the hill' will be a sad day if it's true. Rubbish to anyone who says you are too old for Korea - just submit youthful-looking photos with a sparkling smile.

[freebeacher]

Thanks Hotpants. I need to get past the discriminators or the gatekeepers of the jobs. I appreciate the comment. So, the point becomes WHO wants a 49 year old American who wants to teach adults only?

[PatrickGHBusan]

[denverdeath]

[confucian]

[The Gipkik]

[Seoulio]

[Oliver]

[just bob]

Freebeacher, I worked in a hagwon 10 years ago.

The oldest teacher? 67. That's right.

They were desperate. They needed a warm body.

Most people who came to Korea back then stayed six months and ran away in horror.

But times have changed. The job market is tight due to the financial crisis.

So until the world experiences an actual recovery, jobs will be harder to find.

Three years ago, you would have been placed in less than 48 hours.

People are staying in Korea. They know that if they return home, they'll be sitting in the food stamp and welfare lines.

Good luck, buddy.

[IT'S JUST ME]

Hi:

I have worked for a major corporation and franchise hagwons .

My best job offers came from employers recruiting directly. not from recruiters, and I got hired this past year.

Besides my professional career, when I first applied in 2004, my initial esl experience was limited to an on-line tesl and volunteer experience in an esl program stateside.

Some tips: (1) Watch for "ASAP" job announcements, (2) Be flexible on location, (3) Search multiple web sites, (4) Look for employers recruiting directly, (5) Network, (6) Post your resume, and (7) Sell your age as "value added." More than just a recent college graduate, you have life and professional eperience you can share in the classroom.

My worst experience with age discrimination. My first week on the job with a hagwon and my program manager tells me the owner is thinking of firing me because of my age. Turns out my recruiter shaved several years off my age without my knowledge.