Korean Job Discussion Forums

likemercury · Joined: 15 May 2003

hey there everyone. I just found this website today and I'm really impressed by both the people who post and the quality of info that you guys offer. I'm starting to look for a job now and I noticed that all the company websites and posted job offers ask for your picture. Is it because they'll only hire caucasian teachers? I read a bit of the racism thread and it didn't seem to address the topic. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

likemercury · Joined: 15 May 2003

One more thing: If there are any Asian-American teachers out there, please let me know how you got hired and whether or not they cared about your ethnic background. I've heard that Korean parents want their kids to learn from white people only.

Squaffy · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: All over the place

If you're blond and blue eyed - no probs. I've got a few grey bits, but the blue eyes seem to do it. Not that SoKo is racist at all. But - the white honky thingy bob is all the rage - I'm one of the lucky few who is a Brit out here, I've even been asked to speak with an American accent (I babble and gibber nonsense in English) so my American twang is coming along quite fine.

Best advice - get the cash to get to SoKo on a tourist visa, then go check out the jobs (like $2000, correct me if I'm wrong other posters - just my ball park figure).

Good luck.

kimcheeking · Guest

It's standard here for photos to be required for a job, even Koreans have to provide them when looking for any kind of job.

regardless of whether you want to or not, employers will see your photo when you send them a copy of your passport info page. This is required to process the VISA.

W.T.Carl · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Your average hogwan is in the business of selling "education". They want teachers who look nice and English/American ect. It doesn't matter if you are an idiot (at least at some places) just as long as you look nice. I seem to recall that one of our teachers was told by the owner that he was "too ugly to teach" ( he turned out to be a top rate kindie teacher). We also had this girl from Tashkent hired merely because she was white
( she had to change her name to something that sounded like it was from England or the US). She also turned out to be an excellent teacher. That's just the way it is.

likemercury · Joined: 15 May 2003

The reality of the situation is pretty disheartening, but I guess it's better to know sooner rather than later. I naively thought that this might be the first situation in my life where racism wasn't a possibility. So what can I do about it? Does anyone know of any places that will hire Korean-Americans who speak English with an American accent? I never dreamed this would be a problem, since I have a lot of teaching experience of all types, including three years' experience tutoring English and writing to ESL college students. If there are any Asian people teaching, please let me know how you did it and where you work. I still want to do this, even if it won't be as easy as I thought. Again, thanks for all the replies.

Trinny · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

There are some Korean American teachers on this board: You might want to PM Pets_wonderland or Jurassics5 for more information.

I know YBM sisa, Chungmun in Jongro (downtown Seoul) hire Korean Americans and other Asian Americans. Good luck.

kimcheeking · Guest

Some Universities hire Kyopo's as well. You coul try Seoul Women's University, there has always been at least one kyopo on staff.

jurassic5 · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Location: PA

yeah...i found out its kinda hard for korams (korean-americans) to try to get a job at a hagwon by doing it just online....i guess the best thing to do is to go to korea and try to find one in person. but if you don't have the funds for that (like myself), i just sent tons of emails to all the postings here on dave's and other sites and flat out told them that i am a korean-american and aware of the preference toward caucasian teachers etc. from that, i got a few replies from recuriters and places that hire gyopos. another good thing i did was to post and ad on the job listing post that says your koram in the title. i figure by telling them this right away, it will save me time etc.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

A hagwon boss once told me that he had so many gypos who would avoid sending a photo. He remarked on how it was such a waste of his time, and theirs. As if he wouldn't learn what they looked like anyway! Personally, I wouldn't want to waste my time not being honest, or trying to hide something in hopes that "maybe" they don't care.

In his case, as with most hagwons, he's convinced that Western white faces are a selling tool for the school.

There are other schools, although more rare, who don't care, or directly ask for a gyopo. Another reason why they may avoid a gyopo is because they are able to get a visa which allows them more freedom to up and leave to another job.

Greekfreak · Joined: 25 May 2003

In lieu of a job interview 'in person' it's not unreasonable for schools to ask for a picture. Would you hire the elephant man sight unseen, in this far-from-idyllic little world we live in?

Neither would they.

Kyopo's can find jobs, even uni jobs, but they have to look that much harder and face a lot more rejection. Having higher education helps, but it's true most blondes will be tripping over job offers over here. It sucks for ethnic teachers, but that's the way it is.