Korean Job Discussion Forums

mb2086 · Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Location: Seoul

I was looking forward to applying for my first teaching post in Korea only to discover that the agency I applied to in the UK say they do not accept any applications from people over 35! (I am a young 46!). I have a BSc degree and TESOL certificate. Can anyone advise me on this? All advice greatly appreciated.

Ghostinthemachine · Joined: 22 Jun 2003

Ignore them! Apply diectly to the jobs advertised here or go thro' a korean recruiter (maybe someone here can recommend one). I've met several teachers here who I'm sure were mid-fortyish. Go for it and good luck. Smile

mb2086 · Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Location: Seoul

Thanks mate. Strangely the guy I spoke to sounded as though he was all of 22! It did come as a bit of a shock since I've not seen anything on any website or job ad that says 'no over 35's please'. To 'name and shame' the agency is called 'Hunt esl' and needless to say that not only do I not recommend them (they don'e even bother to reply to applications if you don't meet their criteria - you have to ring to find out anything) but I'm seriously thinking of contacting the equal ops people.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Yes, you are too old Wink

They do prefer the younger and dumber(myself included) types here but I know guys in their 40's, 50's and 60's here amd they are doing Ok.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

I am 45 and have no trouble finding work. Look for a job in some of the more provincial areas. There is work out there. Funny thing is, in Korea age is a problem, in China it is well respected. Smile

peppermint · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

Well, I've got a co-worker who's in her mid fifties. If you're qualified, you migth want to wait and apply to universities- they seem to appreciate age more.

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

there will however be some problems you might encounter. One of my best friends over here is in her mid 50's and she has her share of pollution related and "stair" enduced troubles.

tomato · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:09 pm Post subject:

Hello, mb2086!

I'm older than you and I've never had to look for a job for longer than a week.
The directors' main concern is that the teacher is entertaining enough to win the children's sustained patronage.
Some directors hold stereotyypes of groovy, jivey younger people and stodgy, pompous older people.
So they believe that younger people are more entertaining than older people.
If you have a good collection of songs, games, and picture books, play that up.

mb2086 · Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Location: Seoul

Thanks again for the advice. Did you get to Korea first before getting your first job or did you have one already to go to?

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

One of my best friends in Korea is in his late 50's and never had a problem landing good jobs here. Apply.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I landed a good entry-level job from abroad at about your age.

They were hesitant but in my application I emphasized active hobbies, good health, travel experience (cultural flexibility), & the fact I entered university later in life, which they took to mean I wasnt some kind of fossil. Have you raised kids? -- best training, bar none, for understanding where kids of various ages are coming from.

They took all that into consideration & I beat out some young'uns for the position. You need energy & open-mindedness to do the work so anything you can suggest to them that supports that will help your cause.

Best luck.

tomato · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:44 am Post subject:

Hello again, mb2086!

Were you talking to me?
I got my first job when I was in my home country.
I had to do it that way because I couldn't afford a plane ticket.
If you can afford a plane ticket, your better bet would be to come over first, then make your rounds. That way, you won't have to buy a pig in a poke.

If you want to perform your job search by hoofing it, you can find English schools which hire foreign teachers in almost any city with at least a five-digit population.

If you want to perform your job search through the Internet, you can find several Websites which post help-wanted and job-wanted notices for English schools and English teachers. Just post a resume on one Website and you will get messages from all the other Webmasters.

desultude · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:42 am Post subject:

I'm in my mid fifties, and got my first job while I was teaching in Mexico. I'm at a university. Three other teachers hired when I was, were in their fifties.

mb2086 · Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Location: Seoul

Coming to Korea first is an option for me and would have advantages I suppose, but where would be best to start looking if I did that, and supposedly I'd have to fix up a hotel room while I 'did the rounds'? Also wouldn't I then have to do a fleeting visit to Japan to get a work visa? Thanks in advance.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

http://www.eslcafe.com//forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=7464

Scroll down to the this section: Should I Just Come to Korea and Then Find Work?

This should give you all the info you need.