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Joined: 05 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:22 am Post subject: Getting a Job in Korea as an Asian American |
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What are my chances on getting a job in a Korean private school as an Asian American? I would prefer either Seoul or Bucheon.
No ESL teaching experience
Bachelor's Degree
Volunteer teaching experience in the states
Should I just stick to trying to get a public school job?
Thanks |
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Riker
Joined: 28 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:06 am Post subject: |
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If you have all your documents ready I think anything is possible. My recruiter sent me some info on public schools I am applying to and it says, and I quote, " preference - Caucasian " on some of the offers. I don't know how common that attitude is in the public school system, but that's my experience. But I'm apparently dealing directly with the schools. I don't think you will find the same thing in EPIK and GEPIK if you apply at the appropriate times. As for your qualifications, that does not really matter so much. They are way more interested in your picture than anything else. Being a blond haired blue eyed Caucasian has definitely made my job search easy.
It's a totally different game than the States.
Good luck. Having your Documents ready and in had is probably the most important part for you right now |
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hondaicivic
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Location: Daegu, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Job in Korea as an Asian American |
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| anners wrote: |
What are my chances on getting a job in a Korean private school as an Asian American? I would prefer either Seoul or Bucheon.
No ESL teaching experience
Bachelor's Degree
Volunteer teaching experience in the states
Should I just stick to trying to get a public school job?
Thanks |
That's my qualification before I got here. Relax, you'll be okay. There's a lot of Asian-Americans in Korea, you'll be okay. |
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winterfall
Joined: 21 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Riker wrote: |
If you have all your documents ready I think anything is possible. My recruiter sent me some info on public schools I am applying to and it says, and I quote, " preference - Caucasian " on some of the offers. I don't know how common that attitude is in the public school system, but that's my experience. But I'm apparently dealing directly with the schools. I don't think you will find the same thing in EPIK and GEPIK if you apply at the appropriate times. As for your qualifications, that does not really matter so much. They are way more interested in your picture than anything else. Being a blond haired blue eyed Caucasian has definitely made my job search easy.
It's a totally different game than the States.
Good luck. Having your Documents ready and in had is probably the most important part for you right now |
public schools can't outright discriminate. But there may be indirect discrimination like placement eg) higher chance of landing in the toughest schools in the poorest neighborhoods. Placement is a mixed bag of random, school's choice, and education office's choice. And then you'll deal with a bit more on the job |
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enchoo
Joined: 04 Jul 2004
Location: Heading to a reality show near you
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:56 am Post subject: you should have no major problems to get a job... |
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| Make sure you have a solid resume and cover letter. Maybe it might be easier to use several different recruiters and apply to many different positions after you make sure the resume and cover letter are solid..... |
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Junior
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: the eye
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:41 am Post subject: |
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Americans tend to clash with koreans a lot because both nationalities are so crazily ego-driven.
Its a kind of inevitable lunacy that a country like Korea (with its mad aspirations to world power) would only employ people from the superpower. Probably in the hope that some of the magic rubs off on them. |
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emmahearst
Joined: 10 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Job in Korea as an Asian American |
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I think you can get a job just like anyone else.
| anners wrote: |
What are my chances on getting a job in a Korean private school as an Asian American? I would prefer either Seoul or Bucheon.
No ESL teaching experience
Bachelor's Degree
Volunteer teaching experience in the states
Should I just stick to trying to get a public school job?
Thanks |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| Junior wrote: |
Americans tend to clash with koreans a lot because both nationalities are so crazily ego-driven.
Its a kind of inevitable lunacy that a country like Korea (with its mad aspirations to world power) would only employ people from the superpower. Probably in the hope that some of the magic rubs off on them. |
bwa hahahahaha
seriously, delusional much?
I could list about 20 nationalities off the top of my head that are far more ego driven than (many) Americans.
of course, when you run into that "my country right or wrong, don't tread on me" kind of "American" is when he makes up the difference  |
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MyNameIsNobody
Joined: 12 Jan 2011
Location: Here
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| Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Job in Korea as an Asian American |
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| anners wrote: |
What are my chances on getting a job in a Korean private school as an Asian American? I would prefer either Seoul or Bucheon.
No ESL teaching experience
Bachelor's Degree
Volunteer teaching experience in the states
Should I just stick to trying to get a public school job?
Thanks |
Do you have all your documents?
I am definitely in the learning stages with respect to finding work in Korea, so I can't tell you how likely/quickly you'll find a position. However, I can say from my personal experience that once you have all your papers together, recruiters are much more willing to talk with you.
I don't fall under the category of "blue-eyed, blonde" either, so I understand your concerns. Keep applying to recruiters (I'm recommending Star Teachers). You can also try non-Korean recruiters, too.
Just don't sell yourself short. I've already rejected some questionable positions (so far, the recruiters haven't deserted me), and I'm going to keep doing so until I find the right fit.
Best of luck to the both of us. |
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fullcollapseCA
Joined: 03 Aug 2010
Location: Cheongju-@ a Hagwon
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| apply to anything and everything. Took me about 3 months to land my job in Cheongju (Korean-American). It might be difficult finding a job in Seoul for your first job, especially since you are an Asian American. Try Gyeonggi-do |
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Mpls_Korean
Joined: 15 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:47 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Job in Korea as an Asian American |
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| anners wrote: |
What are my chances on getting a job in a Korean private school as an Asian American? I would prefer either Seoul or Bucheon.
No ESL teaching experience
Bachelor's Degree
Volunteer teaching experience in the states
Should I just stick to trying to get a public school job?
Thanks |
Are you kidding? There are many Chinese Americans, Taiwanese Americans, Korean Americans, etc. Just don't take it personally when some tell you that you aren't "American" enough. It'll happen. It'll be hard if you want to get a job in Geoje Island or maybe even Jeju Island, but if you search for a job in Seoul, there shouldn't be any problems. |
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minos
Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:49 am Post subject: |
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Expect a tough time....I'd go public schools or a chain school.
They're pretty picky these days. |
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andersondm4
Joined: 01 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:04 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Job in Korea as an Asian American |
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| hondaicivic wrote: |
| anners wrote: |
What are my chances on getting a job in a Korean private school as an Asian American? I would prefer either Seoul or Bucheon.
No ESL teaching experience
Bachelor's Degree
Volunteer teaching experience in the states
Should I just stick to trying to get a public school job?
Thanks |
That's my qualification before I got here. Relax, you'll be okay. There's a lot of Asian-Americans in Korea, you'll be okay. |
Good to hear, these are basically my qualifications as well. I'm in the same boat as a half Korean, I was originally worried I couldn't find a job/live where I wanted. I'm looking to work in Seoul, maybe Incheon or Daegu, and have been assured there are jobs available both public and private, you just may have to look a little harder. I'm getting a TEFL/CELTA soon just to improve my resume all I can. I've also been told I look pretty western comparatively (half Korean/half French)
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd457/andersondm4/555.jpg
and that there are full blooded Asian Americans who look way more "Asian" then me teaching all over. Most of the time people have no idea what race I am. I've even spoke with darker Asians, Filipinos/Cambodians, who have found work and I think they probably have the toughest time along with black people. Where do you all think my appearance falls on the scale of Asian to white.
I'd love to chat with some half Asians/Asian Americans already in Korea if there are any on this forum. Make yourselves known I'd love to pick your brain.
And also as always anyone with info on specific schools or recruiters who are particularly friendly to diversity, please let me know . There are times I could pass for white in the right picture, but I'd rather work with people who don't care. |
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masada
Joined: 19 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:05 am Post subject: |
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I'm half Korean/American and I never ran into any kind of problem involving this distinction. Honestly, I think its a non-issue and it made for a great conversation topic with my directors. They actually liked the fact I had a Korean background and have been very supportive of me.
I'm only a little over 1 month into my teaching stint and I've quite thoroughly enjoyed it thus far. I'll try to answer whatever questions you may have, but I'm quite limited in my knowledge due to being so fresh, but I can offer you details of any experiences I've had here. My situation/background is probably different from yours, but at the least, my opinion is don't trouble yourself over it. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:12 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Where do you all think my appearance falls on the scale of Asian to white. |
I think you look what you are:
biracial Asian/white |
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