Korean Job Discussion Forums

[annainkorea]

Hi There,
I just received word that I was accepted into the GEPIK program to depart in either late Feb or late Aug of 2010. I was wondering what the dress code was for women and what would be appropriate for women to wear in the summer?
Thanks

[peppermint]

Take your cues from what teachers wear back home- business casual is good.

[thelad]

What recruiter are you using OP?

Ive applied through a bunch of them from GEPIK starting Feb/March and haven't heard anything back from them except for the usual phone call from them at the beginning of the process.

Seeing your post has me a little worried tbh!

[annainkorea]

thelad
I am using Brad Brennen at Teach English in Korea. Clara, the hiring manager for GEPIK, told me that I would be contacted with actual postings once the schools know which teachers will be renewing their contracts and which ones won't. This is expected to be mid December.

Did you apply to GEPIK through a recruiter or on your own?

[nomad-ish]

business casual would be most appropriate, but i don't think any school enforces a dress code for the foreign teacher. basically, this is what i follow: dress pants, possibly dark wash jeans occasionally (no ripped or faded pairs) and no low-rise ones, no sleeveless or low-cut tops, no running shoes/sneakers. no shorts in the summer time, nice capri pants would probably be ok, and no mini-skirts (obviously).

[loyfriend]

[nomad-ish]

[qcat79]

dress like you would for any profession job.

for women: no sleeveless shirts, low cut shirts with your big, nasty, fat boobs hangin' out, no jeans, conservative on the perfumes and makeup, put conservative limits on multiple earings, no noserstuds and the like, no tattoos (or visible ones)

for men, no jeans, no t-shirts, collared shirts and khakis are ok, ties and dress shirts get you more respect. no earings, no super-long hair, no visible tattoos. shave your god-damned face.

and especially, NO FATTIES!!!

it'd be wise to lose some weight before you come here. chances are, you'd lose more once you arrive.

it still gets me that people actually have to ask this when applying/working for/at a job that invovles some degree of professionalism.

[macattack123]

........with your big, nasty, fat boobs hangin' out.........

........and especially, NO FATTIES!!!.............

You seem to have an issue with Fat my friend. Do the Korean's pick on you or something???

Who gives a toss if your thin/fat/tall/short etc.... as long as you dress in an appropriate manner to teach children then thats all that matters. I know Koreans are very VERY opinionated but if your a strong person you turn round and face their remarks with a "shut it".

Who gives others the right to tell you what you should and shouldn't look like?????

Just don't go to school dressed like a big whora whora.

[nomad-ish]

basically, since many koreans put a lot of emphasis on how someone looks, i think you'll find if you dress professionally at work that teachers, parents, and students will respond to you better. it's not always true; you do earn respect as well, however it's easier not to start earning that respect while you're in the minuses.

[Kaypea]

Yeah, there's fat Korean and foreign teachers, and nobody cares. It's just like back home...

I agree with business caz-- normal, modern, stylish... well-fitting pants with a "structured jacket that fits tightest at the smallest part of your body" (as they say on "What Not to Wear") Tasteful accessories...

I'm not sure if there's a "dress code". At my school, we wear "school slippers", which means a pair of non-flip-flop sandals that you only wear in the school. The only real rule they've told me is "don't show the student your foot". Wear socks or pantyhose.

And to reiterate... There are fat women teachers, Korean and foreign. As far as I can tell, they get treated just fine. Korea's not really this horribly discriminatory catwalk of shame that people on this board make it out to be.

[nero]

[qcat79]

yes, you're half-right. i do have an issue you with fat. i think it's disgusting that over 50% of americans and brits are overweight; a problem is can be reversed if they cared just a little bit about their own lives and welfare.

and no, i'm not the least bit overweight.

[annainkorea]

it still gets me that people actually have to ask this when applying/working for/at a job that invovles some degree of professionalism.[/quote]

My point was to ask HOW professionally I needed to dress, not rather or not to dress professionally.

[Kaypea]

"How professional" is a fair question

It's sweaters and slacks professional, not suit professional.