Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rush]

This is unfortunate or fortunate depending on if you are good looking or
not.

I cant speak for Korea as I have just go back from Japan but I will say
that if you look good ,work is just so easy to get, if you dont then you
will have a tough time. Ohh you have a degree and a TEFL...BIG DEAL
how old are you. if your pushing 35 and over you will be struggling big time in Japan, unless you already have yourself established at a school
like Berlitz or Nova in which you entered when you were young.
I lived in a guest house for a while and the good looking "kids" with
no experience got so many job offers they didnt know what to do,
and the ugly fat ones with degrees , TEFLS got nothing... from what I read Korea is the same......
Thats why I think a lot of you including myself have to think very
carefully about the future... what the hell do you do if your 40 and you
have only taught English in an Asian country, it frightens me sometimes.
you are basically unemployable back home.
An interesting thing to one of my employers (Japanese) told me.. he
said when looking for jobs be careful not to say you have had to much
experience... 2 years is ok but anything over then some employers will
consider you a bit "jaded" and lacking the passion and enthusiasm that
a fresh teacher will have... he is just an example but I hope this is not
a general feeling otherwise Im in trouble... Sorry Im rambling a bit here
but do any of you have the same concerns ???

[Squaffy]

[kimcheeking]

[rush]

topic a bit touchy for you Squaff ???

[Mashimaro]

have a shave & cut back on the cheese squaff, you'll feel like a new... man (mouse) & maybe feel less hostile

[Mody Ba]

But not everywhere.That is a pretty big generalization.Some places, they do not care if you look like Brad Pitt or Sharon Stone.Some places, a person looking like that might even be viewed with a modicum of suspicion.But I DO know what(and WHERE!) you are talking about.The Ken and Barbie Syndrome.
Is Squaffy a man or a mouse? Well, at least to me,his avatar looks like a squirrel.

[Emma Clare]

I was just looking at another thread that purported a similar kind of notion. Personally, I think it sucks that one person will gain more/better job offers because they are deemed to be more attractive than others. Such things should be decided upon your merit as an educator. Not whether you'd look great in a bikini or not.

This is what I was told after I sent my close up and full length photos to a recruiter. It came at the very end of the email...."Korean directors love to roll out the red carpet for attractive female teachers, as students generally prefer this" How blatant is that?!! Not to mention slimy!!

Indeed, we live in the shallowest of ponds....

[Emma Clare]

Oh yes!

At first glance I still mistake Squaffy for a chinchilla. But he's most definitely a junior rat! I say this because his face is too dishevelled and broad to be that of a mouse, and also his tail is too thick and rope like.

If I'm right, do I get a prize?!!!

[Mody Ba]

The prize?She gets to meet the Squaffer in person...for a night out..dinner...dancing... What?The Squaffer does not know about this? Little matter! Seize the moment(or whatever),Squaffer!

Emma,You might very well be right. He might be a chinchilla(or a squirrel with mumps).

As for all that sexism.hiring on good looks,etc...Sure it is unfair,discrimination,etc.etc.But it continues.The owners want to hire Brad or Sharon lookalikes because the paying customers have this idea that Brad and Sharon lookalikes somehow are better teachers.Unfair...but then, lots of things in life are unfair.

Good luck with that chinchilla guess.

[Emma Clare]

Guess I'd better throw my principles to the wind and 'trade off my looks' then....

[chi-chi]

I think that there is just as much emphasis on looks in some parts of America (I can't really speak for all of America or other countries.) People can be very vain and materialistic, but this goes without saying, yes?
There is one key difference here in Asia. Whether you are a foreigner or mixed (still a foreigner) all eyes will be on you. You're from a different world, you're a teacher, and generally you don't speak the language (for the most part.) People are fascinated by this and will stare and stare. They will be studying your mannerisms, your dress, even your nail polish and your watch. Of course this happens back home to a lesser degree, but here in Asia you're the minority so you will stand out more.

[ratslash]

maybe true. i'm a bit too inexperienced to comment on the esl situation at the moment...

but...

let me paint you picture. imagine this scenario...

a manager gets 2 applications for a job position working for his company. doesn't matter what kind of company, just A company. anyway, bizarrely, the two applicants have all the same qualifications and experience. the first applicant is very plain and just, well, ordinary. the second applicant makes marilyn monroe look like a hippo! i think that 9 time out of ten the second applicant would get the job.

it is the same in all walks of life.....

[ratslash]

and on a completely different note...

cool!!! my avatar thingy worked!!!

[yodanole]

As a great deal of attending an English conversation class and "practising English conversation" involves copious quantities of staring at the teacher. It could be that it is easier to stare at an attractive teacher. After all, if your "English conversation level" was at that "staring at the teacher" stage, what would you do? The high moral ground can be pretty lonely. Most of us are forced to live in the real world with other people. It's not really pleasant to be human if you are stupid, poor and (oh my god) ugly too.

[Squaffy]

Um, sorry for my insensitive comment - must've been having a bad hair day

90% is a good estimate. Personally, it's my blue eyes 1st, experience 2nd. Not fair I know, but as you said - it's the ESL game. Not just SoKo, most countries I've taught in.

I'm back in the UK in just over a week Emma - so you can claim your prize of dinner sometime (and I'll bring along my b/f too) main point being, I will pass on who I was working for and his contact details, but until then, it's secret.

Again, apologies for being horrible to the OP.

Edit: since the mouse has run its course and was just any old rodent from your conjectures - I'm a Tiger now - Grrr