Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seoulsurvivor8]

Hi everyone! (First post! Hopefully in the right forum.)

So I've been looking at teaching English in Korea for a couple weeks now and I'm still in the beginning phases of the process (researching, contacting recruiters, researching, applying to individual schools, researching, researching, etc).

A big concern for me is as follows:

I see that most applicants to jobs have their hearts set on Seoul. I also see that, for me personally, I have had a difficult time socially and even psychologically when living in foreign places that are as conservative as (or maybe more than) Korea due to sexual orientation. Because of that I have learned that it is better for me to be in places where I have the opportunity to network with other GLBT individuals as a social outlet (I'm not political or vocal about the issue, I just mean in terms of socialization). This translates to Seoul being a good location for me (as far as I know).

How should I handle the application process with this in mind? I understand that there is nothing a recruiter can do in terms of where jobs are open, however, should I consider mentioning my personal reason for wanting to be specifically in Seoul?

Finally, does anyone know if given my situation there are other cities near or around Seoul where I could live/work but still have decent access to what Seoul offers in terms of touching base with other GLBTQ individuals?

Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks

[jrwhite82]

If you mention that you are GLBT you will most likely not get a job here. You may get lucky but you will severely hamstring yourself in the application process.

No offense, but I wouldn't hire someone who told me they were gay during the interview process either. Because, what the hell, it's none of anyone's business and you would be weirding me out by telling me that without me even knowing you. But many Hagwons will be doing it for homophobic reasons.

Quite frankly, your sexual orientation isn't your bosses business, so don't tell him. It isn't the recruiters business so don't tell him. It isn't anyone you work with's business, so don't tell them. And most of all, it isn't your student's business, so never tell them.

If your coworkers/students ask you why you don't have a girlfriend/wife, just tell them you haven't met the right person yet. Don't force the issue on them, they are not prepared for the truth. (That gay people exist and they might interact with them without even knowing it!!!) You are not in Kansas anymore.

Requesting Seoul as a must have city is common enough that recruiters won't even bat an eye. So don't worry about it. It will just take you longer to find a job, that's all.

[tator]

Don't say anything. Your sexual orientation has nothing to do with teaching and it's none of their damn business anyways. I don't know how open the Korean culture is, but divulging that information will most likely only hurt you.

[seoulsurvivor8]

[jrwhite82]

[ttompatz]

Don't say anything about your orientation.

Look for jobs in the satellite cities (suwon, seongnam, etc).
This will give you the convenience of Seoul without the difficulty of competing for jobs in Seoul.

Most of the time, in the satellites, you are less than an hour from the night spots of the city and often closer (in terms of travel time) than someone living across town IN Seoul.

.

[seoulsurvivor8]

[Ribena]

[shifty]

[tideout]

sdf

[northway]

[Ribena]

[tideout]

It's obvious

[seoulsurvivor8]

[TellyRules986]

Korea's definitely a conservative country, and it's not wise to come out during the application/interview process, or while you're on the job. As long as you keep it hidden, you'll be fine. Having said that, Koreans can be a little clueless. For example, if a Korean male lived with another male in a 1 BR apt with only one bed, his family still wouldn't get it. (At least that's what I've been told-- I haven't experienced it...)

As far as living in Korea is concerned, there is plenty of gay people, males and females. There's also a decent club and bar scene here. I'm a bisexual female and I brought my ex gf to my school quite often and it wasn't an issue as long as no one knew our real relationship.