Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mila]

From what I have been reading online, it seems that Seoul is much more choosy in applicants then rural cities. I really want to be hired in a public school in Seoul for the Spring 2012 term. So it will be really helpful if you can analyze my chance and/or offer suggestions in which I can be more competitive.

I recently graduated from a university in the US. I have also studied in a university in Seoul for 3 months. (Summer school). I'm female and Asian-American.

So what do you think my chances are for a Seoul public school position? (I also up for a hagwon - but I prefer PS). And is there anything I can do now to increase my chances??

Thank you

[minos]

Public schools seem to be cutting back enrollment these days.....

They're pretty tough on Asian applicants....get a really nice profile picture for resume.

It makes a huge difference. Get a photographer friend(not the generic family portrait places) to do you right.

Koreans do factor it in heavily for these kind of jobs....a few years ago, they let it slide if you had a whatever pic.

[oldtrafford]

It's a crap shoot, nobody can say. You lack experience and any credentials, your resume isn't going to stand out. Apply, and see what happens, you never know.

Good luck!

[wishfullthinkng]

the initial picture in the application email means just as much as the resume itself.

get professional pics like someone mentioned and don't hesitate for a second to get them "touched-up" if you've got some blemishes that day, you're looking extra tan, etc.

the picture is what will set you apart from the crowd unfortunately, not the resume.

[gst013]

I hate to say it but being an Asian-American is a massive negative in the eyes of most employers. My school used to have an Asian-American woman teaching for them and apparently the parents were not happy at all about it. Honestly, the best thing you can do is get a picture of yourself done looking as non-Asian as is humanly possible. I know that sounds ridiculous but it's the truth.

[wishfullthinkng]

yep, pretty much this:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2011/08/75d31104f5588781274ecbca07b94daf/original.jpg

[brento1138]

[Jotun_Symph]

I agree with everyone above: PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE that's all they care about, so give them your best one. I've heard that applicants who send in T-shirt photos or pictures without a solid background are at a huge disadvantage.
As for the other matter:

I would hope that as long as you are a native English speaker your Asian background would not matter, especially for public schools.
My old hagwon boss asked me for advice in hiring a new teacher, and I recommended to her a Guam-American applicant. She told me "no way" because if the parents saw him teaching their children English, they would be pissed (sounds racist, but true). But for public schools, it really shouldn't matter, because the parents don't finance the school directly. This is all speculation, but I don't think you should get discouraged.

[jvalmer]

Don't be so bent on Seoul. The rest of the country does have a lot to offer.

[Swampfox10mm]

Give it a try. Some schools don't care. A quality passport photo from a fuji or kodak store will do fine. Wear job interview clothing for it.

[Mila]

@brento1138: thanks for the encouragement. So I'm guessing you're working through SMOE now? Can you give me some advice on what kind of lesson plan they are looking for for the app?

And to everyone else: Since it seems like the picture is a major factor, do you think a full body semi-professional shot will be okay? Or just the typical head to shoulder passport type pic?

[ThingsComeAround]

Would you be open to a school near Seoul? Like thirty minutes-an hour outside? Give GEPIK a chance- since you are starting with no experience and GEPIK is trying to clean house it could be a nice 'in' for a public school position.

Download a map and do your research.

Good luck!

[Weigookin74]

[minos]

[jvalmer]