Korean Job Discussion Forums

Stan Rogers · Joined: 20 Aug 2010

Dye your hair blonde and wear blue contact lenses. Wearing lots of cologne or perfume helps too.

surfer11 · Joined: 22 Dec 2012

I want to thank eveyone for the assistance with preparing for the interview.
Unfortunately, I did not get the position. According to the University I am overqualified for the position. In America, generally if you are overqualified you get the position, however here in South Korea it is looked down upon.

I really would like to work at a University next year and I have had two interviews with Universities here in South Korea but I seem to come very close to being there final choice but I can't get that final yes!

Does anyone have any suggestions or insight as to what I can do differently the next time I have an interview?

Thanks!

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:10 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear you did not get the position.

Did they tell you what made you over qualified in more precise terms?

Note that the main hiring season for Universities was not now but rather November to January. You should have more opportunities then.

One suggestion I can make is to start networking now. Try to visit some of the universities you can, try to meet with the people who do the hiring, if the Uni hosts conferences related to the English dept, attend them. Learn about the staff on the uni's English dept, look at their qualifications and experiences and find out where you would be a good fit.

By the way, being overqualified in Canada often means you also do not get the job.

I'm With You · Joined: 01 Sep 2011

This happens. And, as Patrick mentioned, it is a problem back home too. I've worked with a few Ph.Ds in Seoul and they have mentioned similar discrimination.

Networking will often overcome the handicap of being overqualified. Remember, a lot of the foreigners teaching at Korean universities only have B. A., or distance master's degrees. They are reluctant to hire someone that knows more than they do or is more qualified.

Get to know people if you can. It makes a world of difference.

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 4:44 am Post subject:

DL degrees vary in quality and some are great. However, the point made was right in one aspect: there is still a stigma attached to online education and it will only fade in time.