Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rockhard]

Your gender is your greatest hindrance.

And to be honest to teach in Korea all you really need is a good personality and a lot of energy. If I was an employer, I'd pass on you.

[Weigookin74]

Fix up your appearance to the extent you can. Koreans do judge on looks. It won't stop you from finding work, but it may take longer. There is a lot of discrimination against age here, but keep yourself reasonably fit and try to do things while you're here (lose weight, fix the teeth, etc). This serves well for back home too. There's looks and age discrimination there too even if it's less open and less prevelant.

I did my hair in two stages, once 4 years ago and a second time 3 years ago. Not a full head of hair like when I was 20 but better than being severly bald by my late 20's. That's a bit extreme, but I knew the time would come as I got older that any appearance advantage might come to be needed.

But, if I enter the market with middle 30's, I'm not sure how I would fare. I've stuck with the same employer because of rising wages and would have to prob take a pay cut if I switched.

I read maybe on that other site recently about someone who claimed to know folks who recruited for the national EPIK body and they deliberately disqualified older single male applicants without even checking their qualifications or interviewing them. Not sure if that's everyone or not. Older folks can find work, though it takes persistence.

As for going gray, I'd probably learn to use "Just for men" hair dye. Don't know how effective the stuff is. I'm not overly fussy about my appearance just enough to keep myself in the job market. At least in the west if you look youthful, you can get hired, as it's illegal to ask age until after the candidate has been hired.

So, in a nutshell, take care of the appearance to the extent you can, try to show a lot of energy (including pics of you with the kids), be patient, and be flexible with location. (I'm assuming experience already in Korea helps too.)

[happiness]

A month from 42 here. I lost alot of weight recently but even when I was heavier, I got a sweet job in a private HS. Yes, appearance. Even my current job, where now Im also older than the owner (geez) told me when I asked him didnt he want someone younger, he rolled his eyes and said he'd rather have someone with experience, someone he could trust.
I stopped dyeing my hair, its fully gray now, but I style it, and I dress business casual. Clothes have always been a thing for me, so no problem.

At first, I was worried, but it really is about how you present yourself, and your skills.
Just like anything in life.

[Weigookin74]

[Voyager2]

Troglodyte I'm grateful for your thoughtful reply, that took some thinking on your behalf and I'd like to pass on my thanks for that. I'm certainly not a comb-over advocate;) it's been cut short for years. I'm going to put your strategy into action I think. Rgds v

[Voyager2]

Wei74 and Happiness thanks for this too. Will take your thoughts onboard.

[schwa]

I'd just like to add that living & teaching here in your 50s can be fine. I started in my later 40s & I'm still at it at 61. I've known quite a few in our age bracket having a decent time of it.

Clearly, its harder getting your foot in the door nowadays, but once you do & have proven yourself capable, age discrimination tends to melt away. It can even work in your favor.

Also, despite what some parents & bosses might think, the kids arent prejudiced against older male teachers. If you're engaging, energetic, & teach well, they'll take to you & your classes. Chances are, better than to green young newbs.

Best luck OP.

[beentheredonethat777]

+1

Ive just turned 40 (41 in korean). Im actually older than my current boss!

When I sent out my C.V., I hid my dob down the bottom with other information like being single etc. At the top I put name/location/visa info. to distract them.
I put the nice picture at the top too.

It seemed to work and I got plenty of responses from recruiters.

Ive also found dressing well (fashionably) and doing something with my hair helps me look a lot younger than I am.

Youve got to remember, life is a game and youve got to know the rules - in this case people are superficial and you have to present yourself accordingly (especially when marketing yourself against a 25 y.o. blonde).[/quote]

[creeper1]

I have heard it said that age descrimination is much more of an issue for teaching kids.

What do you guys think?

Could an older person get a job teaching adults more readily?

[World Traveler]

Most jobs in Korea are teaching kids. It's not so easy to get a job teaching adults (unless one has the F visa, or prior experience teaching adults).

[The Cosmic Hum]

[happiness]

the cosmic hum is an awesome name. sounds like a shoegazer id hang with.

[Voyager2]

I'll second that Cosmic Hum, wonderful thoughts Schwa thank you.

(Happiness I'm getting off track here but isn't cosmic hum the hash evident when changing between channels on old analogue TVs;) ... Remnant left overs from the big bang....? I think two fellows were awarded a Nobel for that one. One of my lecturers when I was doing the BA, was undertaking her Phd in her 60s btw, introducing preschoolers to the universe. She was running this Starwatchers program and would run activities such as having a jointly held large black sheet, full of confetti, to demonstrate the big bang to young members of the human species. You can teach children the 'that' of science she often asserted.

Wonderful stuff.

So from thoughtful contributions here, I've learnt that 50 is doable, with good presentation and a willingness to fight pushy old ladies on the Seoul subway (a small memory from last year). Admittedly being able to earn and save a little more than that $700 a month I'm currently making in Indonesia is but one consideration, but an important one nonetheless. Schwa thanks too for your encouragement in the form of what you've been able to do. Regards, v2

[I'm With You]

[I'm With You]