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some waygug-in
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:20 am Post subject: Your too quiet!!!!!!! Huh? |
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I keep getting this criticism when I apply for jobs, and I am starting to wonder if there is anything I can do about it. They don't say that I speak too quietly, but that my personality is "too quiet", whatever that means.
I am not sure what to make of this, but I get the same thing wherever I go in Korea. WTF?
I don't know what they expect, I could understand if they said they can't hear my voice and I need to speak louder, but this?
Maybe it is time to go home. 
Any thoughts?
Cheers |
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batman
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Location: Oh so close to where I want to be
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:27 am Post subject: |
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If you are enjoying yourself then I would suggest staying.
If the comment of being too quiet is getting to you then I would suggest a simple wardrobe change.
Go to Itaewon, or Texas Street, or whereever and buy some nice new bright and loud shirts.
You will never get that comment again.
It might seem like a silly suggestion but it does work. |
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some waygug-in
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:41 am Post subject: |
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What do you mean by Loud shirts? I just bought a suit (dark grey) to look respectable for interviews. Too conservative? Hmmm.
Thanks |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:41 am Post subject: |
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| I used to get that at the beginning... now they say i shout too much... it can be hard to win out here... just carry on doing what you're doing, and whatever they say, forget about 2 minutes later. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:29 am Post subject: |
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| Well maybe you could amp up the way you project yourself. If its a repeated criticism, there might be something to it. Teaching requires a bit of dynamism -- if I were interviewing potential hirees I'd also be reluctant if someone seemed too subdued. Loosen up. Theatricalize a bit. Show some enthusiasm. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| schwa wrote: |
| Well maybe you could amp up the way you project yourself. If its a repeated criticism, there might be something to it. Teaching requires a bit of dynamism -- if I were interviewing potential hirees I'd also be reluctant if someone seemed too subdued. Loosen up. Theatricalize a bit. Show some enthusiasm. |
Thats all well and good, I agree. But lets not forget that often in Korea that lack of morale and motivation is a significant factor. Some classes will be semi- comatose no matter how animated you are. It hardly inspires you to be a committed, energetic, enthusiastic teacher when your management is disorganised and unsupportive -as is usually the case here.
All of us I think, would be great teachers if we worked in positive, helpful, cheerful, reputable work environments.. but the average esler here is numb, after all the workplace bulls**t. |
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batman
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Location: Oh so close to where I want to be
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:48 am Post subject: |
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| some waygug-in wrote: |
What do you mean by Loud shirts? I just bought a suit (dark grey) to look respectable for interviews. Too conservative? Hmmm.
Thanks |
Though the dark grey suit would look nice in practically any setting, it might be too much for the esl world of Korea.
Would depend on where you are seeking your next job (kiddie hogwan, uni hogwan, university).
I would suggest you use colour to project a presence.
In my case, when I was working outside of the home, I would go shopping and pick up a bunch of shirts that I would never wear back home (superhero shirts from Itaewon, etc).
The shirts were loud (bright reds, blues, yellows) and attracted alot of attention.
My directors liked them.
My students (all ages) loved them.
Mix in an ugly tie (purposely chosen) and I was all set to teach.
Remember at the interview you have to project yourself.
Wardrobe is just one part of the equation.
Keep the suit (I never hired a teacher who didn't show up for the interview wearing a suit).
Also keep eye contact, maintain a politician's smile and talk like you are in a classroom. |
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The Man known as The Man
Joined: 29 Mar 2003
Location: 3 cheers for Ted Haggard oh yeah!
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:07 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
| I used to get that at the beginning... now they say i shout too much... it can be hard to win out here... just carry on doing what you're doing, and whatever they say, forget about 2 minutes later. |
Rapier, when I was in Seattle for a few days, me and a bud when to this local pizza place while his daughter [dude is _much_ older than me] went to a pizza place-The Blue Jays and Mariners were playing on the tv and it was crowded.
Then I saw there was Canadian Back Bacon on the list of ingredients for pizza.
I loved being the loudmouth Canadian in that place "Canadian back bacon...EH?" |
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seoulmon
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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When I teach, I change my personality.
I move into a group and engage them: "What did xxx say?" "Why did xxx say that?" "XXX said xxxxx. Do you agree with his opinion or are there some things you disagree with?" Boom, boom, boom!
If you just have a "conversation" they think your not doing any work ("teacher doesn't talk to me...") Sorry it sounds artifical. I guess it is. I'm an introvert by nature, but because it's a "job" and I become an extrovert.
So Mr.some waygug-in, does it sound like I'm talking about your situation too? |
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some waygug-in
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the advice guys/gals. I will try some of these tips in my next job interview. One guy told me that I should drink 7 cups of coffee imediately before any job interview.............
and then " HI, HOW ARE YOU? GREAT TO MEET YOU!!!"" 
Somehow, this seems a bit much to me. If they can't hire me as I am, then they and I probably won't have a good working relationship in the long run.
Anyway, I will try the loud shirts. 
Cheers |
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The Man known as The Man
Joined: 29 Mar 2003
Location: 3 cheers for Ted Haggard oh yeah!
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Be aloud, boorish overbearing ugly Canadian person.
It works for VanIslander. |
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