Korean Job Discussion Forums

AllOneK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006

Well, I've read on this forum all you need is a degree and a photo and you can get a job, so I'm surprised that my applications are drawing no response.

I'm not that ugly, though I do have a round face - but gee, people are always telling me I'm beautiful so I don't get it.

I even have 5 years TEFL experience, a CELTA and a B.A. so why aren't job offers flooding my server?

Is it cause I'm over 30, heck, over 40, heck - just gone 50? (51 exactly).

What do I need to do to get noticed (SHORT OF WEARING A SANTA SUIT FOR MY PIC)?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Do you have to teach kids?

With a celta, you can teach university. They are not ageist. (Not that I know of?!)

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

In my experience, Koreans don't usually acknowledge the receipt of a job application. You send it off, wait for the application deadline to pass (and often don't even know when that is) and then hear nothing.

The second problem is your age. There is a decided preference for younger people here. There are employers who don't care about age and do value experience, but they are few and far between.

Many of the jobs that are available are not for teachers. They only need someone who can play English games with the students. Degrees and experience are not vital to the job.

AllOneK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006

Thanks all for response. I got my first offers today.

A couple of things:
1) I haven't seen any job postings for universities in S. Korea. I know there is another thread on this topic - so I'll go there. But, yes a uni job would be great, though it seems they want an MA.
2) Playing English games with kids isn't Mickey Mouse work. People skilled in facilitating drama games understand this. I have a degree in theatre and would love to use those skills in the classroom - WITH ADULTS.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Panic · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Location: Busan

Korean employers generally look for young foreigners but older teachers get treated much better in my experience.

Two reasons for this could be 1) Korean language and social interaction is very age conscious 2) Older people have much more work experience and tend to be both better teachers and employees.

With just a pinch of luck you'll find a good life style teaching in Korea.

Good luck Very Happy

Panic

AllOneK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006

Job offers are now flooding my server...

Oh my oh my.

Anybody know how to get hired-on at one of those high-paying English Barn jobs?

RobinH · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:28 am Post subject:

It's probably too late to get a uni job now as classes start Sept. 1st. Hiring for the better schools will start in October for the March semester. Take whatever job looks decent and use that year to look for something better.