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jasonXkeller
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Location: Redlands, CA
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 Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:17 pm Post subject: A warning to those aged like myself <----34 |
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I have been working with my recruiter, who is doing a fine job. He tells me that schools have been turning down interviews with me because of my age. I understand that 34 is not exactly a spring chicken, but it's not that old. That, and I could pass for 25. My head-shot is professional and I'm smiling.
He also shed a little more interesting light on the hiring process at hagwons. He says that they primarily go on your head-shot and how you sound in the interview(after preferring N. American females). One interview I had didn't even have my resume. They had no idea I had a background in linguistics, a tefl cert and teaching exp in Prague. He seems to think they don't care so much. The interview went great. They told the recruiter that they liked me, but that they wanted to interview some younger candidates. I don't know. Just something to keep in mind. It could take you a little longer to find the right job if you're not a twenty-something. |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:22 am Post subject: Re: A warning to those aged like myself <----34 |
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| jasonXkeller wrote: |
I have been working with my recruiter, who is doing a fine job. He tells me that schools have been turning down interviews with me because of my age. I understand that 34 is not exactly a spring chicken, but it's not that old. That, and I could pass for 25. My head-shot is professional and I'm smiling.
He also shed a little more interesting light on the hiring process at hagwons. He says that they primarily go on your head-shot and how you sound in the interview(after preferring N. American females). One interview I had didn't even have my resume. They had no idea I had a background in linguistics, a tefl cert and teaching exp in Prague. He seems to think they don't care so much. The interview went great. They told the recruiter that they liked me, but that they wanted to interview some younger candidates. I don't know. Just something to keep in mind. It could take you a little longer to find the right job if you're not a twenty-something. |
Ehh...you never know with some schools. Might try a different recruiter or try the public schools. I don't think age is much of a real reason to not be hired...not until you're in your 50s anyway...and even then it depends where you're applying and what experience you have under your belt.
Also try applying for places that value your credentials and build up your experience. How many years experience do you have? That might have been an issue. Build up a few years and that plus your linguistics background and TEFL cert should take you pretty far.
P.S. - I'm 34 and haven't had that difficult a time finding work teaching overseas. |
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comm
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:38 am Post subject: Re: A warning to those aged like myself <----34 |
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| isitts wrote: |
| Also try applying for places that value your credentials and build up your experience. How many years experience do you have? That might have been an issue. Build up a few years and that plus your linguistics background and TEFL cert should take you pretty far. |
As unfortunate as it is to be rejected, you're probably better off not working at a "school" that values age/appearance more than experience. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:47 am Post subject: |
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1000 recruiters out there are you worry about 1 idiot?
BTW... at 55 I have no shortage of work and usually get called about once a week to see if/when I might be available to take a position or to refer someone IF I can't take a new job.
Move on.
This ain't the states. 25,000 jobs and 22,000 applicants.
Provided you have your proper documents in hand you should be on a plane in less than 30 days.
If you are still waiting for "something" then you will be ignored till you do have them all. One excuse is as good as another (save face).
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:06 am Post subject: |
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You are being jerked around....
First, you are using one recruiter. Use many and all recruiters. They do not work for you they work for themselves and schools.
Is there something that is maybe making you difficult to hire. Sorry but race, nationality, looks. Still it can be of your own making. Are demanding a certain location like Seoul. Some places in demand areas can be choosier.
34 is not too old. I had troubles finding a job at 35, because I was the picky one. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
1000 recruiters out there are you worry about 1 idiot?
BTW... at 55 I have no shortage of work and usually get called about once a week to see if/when I might be available to take a position or to refer someone IF I can't take a new job.
Move on.
This ain't the states. 25,000 jobs and 22,000 applicants.
Provided you have your proper documents in hand you should be on a plane in less than 30 days.
If you are still waiting for "something" then you will be ignored till you do have them all. One excuse is as good as another (save face).
. |
Dead on.
34 is not an issue OP. |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:19 am Post subject: Re: A warning to those aged like myself <----34 |
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| jasonXkeller wrote: |
I have been working with my recruiter, who is doing a fine job. He tells me that schools have been turning down interviews with me because of my age. I understand that 34 is not exactly a spring chicken, but it's not that old. That, and I could pass for 25. My head-shot is professional and I'm smiling.
He also shed a little more interesting light on the hiring process at hagwons. He says that they primarily go on your head-shot and how you sound in the interview(after preferring N. American females). One interview I had didn't even have my resume. They had no idea I had a background in linguistics, a tefl cert and teaching exp in Prague. He seems to think they don't care so much. The interview went great. They told the recruiter that they liked me, but that they wanted to interview some younger candidates. I don't know. Just something to keep in mind. It could take you a little longer to find the right job if you're not a twenty-something. |
You are right, age is an issue here. The jobs definitely start to become scarcer once you get over 35.
However it is far from impossible. If you are relying on recruiters, then you will have to contact as many as poss. Be prepared to wait. Don't be fussy in your requirements.
I know people who are 60 and still teaching here. In Seoul!.
Networking and having contacts plays a large role in it. |
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jasonXkeller
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Location: Redlands, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:25 am Post subject: Re: A warning to those aged like myself <----34 |
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| comm wrote: |
| isitts wrote: |
| Also try applying for places that value your credentials and build up your experience. How many years experience do you have? That might have been an issue. Build up a few years and that plus your linguistics background and TEFL cert should take you pretty far. |
As unfortunate as it is to be rejected, you're probably better off not working at a "school" that values age/appearance more than experience. |
No doubt. I want to teach. I like to teach. I would rather not have a job where I serve as an English speaking classroom prop.
I actually only taught for 6 months in Prague, but some experience has got to be better than none, even if it isn't enough to qualify for better pay. I taught in a Czech pre-school, but it was Kindy kids. CR does not have kindergarten. |
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jasonXkeller
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Location: Redlands, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:32 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| 1000 recruiters out there are you worry about 1 idiot? |
It's not my recruiter. It was just the school director. He thinks it's silly too. Oh, and all of my docs are in order. |
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jasonXkeller
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Location: Redlands, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: |
You are being jerked around....
First, you are using one recruiter. Use many and all recruiters. They do not work for you they work for themselves and schools.
Is there something that is maybe making you difficult to hire. Sorry but race, nationality, looks. Still it can be of your own making. Are demanding a certain location like Seoul. Some places in demand areas can be choosier.
34 is not too old. I had troubles finding a job at 35, because I was the picky one. |
Skippy, you're right. At first I only had one recruiter. Now, I've sent apps out all over the place. This is just one particular recruiter I'm working with, and not a bad one.
I think you have hit some of the key issues. I'm NA with blond hair and blue eyes, fit, and reasonably handsome by American standards, so I don't think that's a problem, but I'm looking only in Busan and I have been a bit choosy.
At first we were looking for couples positions, but we have learned that financially, it's better to take two separate jobs, one with housing and one with a housing allowance. I also won't take anything that starts after Aug 1. I'm coming with my wife(she's already been offered a good job starting mid-July. I need comparable hours to my wife's position(otherwise is a recipe for disaster). I've also turned down some jobs with 10 hour days, split shifts, and weekends, but I don't think anyone can blame me for that. My recruiter, who only recruits for Busan, told me that Busan tends to be choosier because it's a desirable location. That's another credit to him, because it wouldn't help him if I looked in another city for work. Maybe my age is just a way for him to say I'm being a pain in the ass. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:25 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I'm looking only in Busan and I have been a bit choosy. |
Further proof that your age (34) is not the issue.... |
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jasonXkeller
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Location: Redlands, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:29 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
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| I'm looking only in Busan and I have been a bit choosy. |
Further proof that your age (34) is not the issue.... |
No doubt, Patrick. As I read what I wrote it sort of came into focus. He may be telling me my age is an issue to put me at ease, or to perhaps push me towards being less selective. Or it could be a Korean face saving thing because he can't seem to find a job to my liking. |
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ontheway
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| jasonXkeller wrote: |
At first I only had one recruiter. Now, I've sent apps out all over the place. This is just one particular recruiter I'm working with, and not a bad one.
I think you have hit some of the key issues. I'm NA with blond hair and blue eyes, fit, and reasonably handsome by American standards, so I don't think that's a problem, but I'm looking only in Busan and I have been a bit choosy.
At first we were looking for couples positions, but we have learned that financially, it's better to take two separate jobs, one with housing and one with a housing allowance. I also won't take anything that starts after Aug 1. I'm coming with my wife(she's already been offered a good job starting mid-July. I need comparable hours to my wife's position(otherwise is a recipe for disaster). I've also turned down some jobs with 10 hour days, split shifts, and weekends, but I don't think anyone can blame me for that. My recruiter, who only recruits for Busan, told me that Busan tends to be choosier because it's a desirable location. That's another credit to him, because it wouldn't help him if I looked in another city for work. Maybe my age is just a way for him to say I'm being a pain in the ass. |
If you read over your own post it's clear there is no age problem.
There are some schools that will prefer younger, some prefer someone a bit older and seasoned, some like to have a mix of ages on their staff and prefer a mix, so adding a particular age at a particular time may explain their preference. But teachers in their 20s and 30s can always get a job if they have any desireable traits and abilities as a teacher. As long as you are healthy, age will not prevent you from working even into your 60s.
In your case you've turned down some schools, so according to your own post you do have opportunities. You've limited your choices by having only one recruiter, limited the location to a single city, limited the type of school by days, hours, and length of school day, limited your starting date, and limited the kind of housing (if your wife already has a job with housing and you want a housing allowance, some schools may not have that option if they've already leased or purchased an apartment).
There's still plenty of time to open yourself up to all options limited to Busan. Use several recruiters and post your resume on Dave's as well. You might have to have slightly different hours, work longer hours or even a few weekend events. You might end up with two apartments or a very small housing allowance. You might have to start later than Aug 1 - this doesn't mean that you can't come to Korea earlier.
Stick to the important requirements: living with your wife in Busan, working a reasonable job for the double income lifestyle, and with hours that are similar, but not necessarily identical to your wife's hours. See what offers come in and choose the best. |
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luckylady
Joined: 30 Jan 2012
Location: u.s. of occupied territories
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| jasonXkeller wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
| 1000 recruiters out there are you worry about 1 idiot? |
It's not my recruiter. It was just the school director. He thinks it's silly too. Oh, and all of my docs are in order. |
you mentioned a "head shot"
is this the only photo you're sending out?
you should send that one, but also include photos you working with children or other activities; just sending the one is definitely not enough unless you ARE very young and can be expected not to have any experience.
willing to bet it'll make a difference - and yes, people will often say something arbitrary just not to say what they're really thinking such as "he's so handsome why doesn't he already have a job?" or whatever. so they say, he's too old.
send more photos. 3-4 is good. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
1000 recruiters out there are you worry about 1 idiot?
BTW... at 55 I have no shortage of work and usually get called about once a week to see if/when I might be available to take a position or to refer someone IF I can't take a new job.
Move on.
This ain't the states. 25,000 jobs and 22,000 applicants.
Provided you have your proper documents in hand you should be on a plane in less than 30 days.
If you are still waiting for "something" then you will be ignored till you do have them all. One excuse is as good as another (save face).
. |
Are jobs now exceeding the number of people coming again? US economy is still not recovered but better than it was in 2009 to 10ish when it seems there more applicants than jobs. Interesting to hear that. Wages have been flat for 5 years. Numbers still close. Hopefully as the number of applicants go down, jobs will be even easier to get and wages will start to rise. Now if only a recovered US economy means more exports for Korea and a rising won, then things will really get better.
As for the OP's comments, I faced a similiar situation with recruiter telling me same thing for Seoul in 2005 and 2006ish. This was when the market was more open than now. But I only wanted Seoul. I was younger than the OP is now. Didn't know much at the time. But now I am older and around the OP's age but have a lot of experience teaching in Korea. Think experience teaching here can be a leg up for an older applicant.
Worse comes to worse, do a year here anywhere. GO home and apply to Busan. |
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