Korean Job Discussion Forums

[digiboy]

I�was�just�called�by�recruiter�who�asked�me�to�make�a�YouTube�intro.�I�flatly
refused.�I�really�don't�see�the�point.�They�have�my�resume�and�photo.

I�have�also�over�five�years�teaching�experience.�It�also�costs�up�to�$350AUD
to�gather�all�the�documents�together....

[nathanrutledge]

Good luck with that.

[digiboy]

thanks�for�your�great�imput....

[The Gipkik]

[nathanrutledge]

[schwa]

Shouldnt be necessary. That particular recruiter might see it as a useful medium for sussing out duds, & he's probably right, but meanwhile thousands of people are getting hired without having to do that.

If you've got a nice semipro-looking video by all means submit away. But I really hope the hiring process isnt devolving into tech pro or forget it.

[thegadfly]

Yeah, digi! Why should you be asked to spend upwards of ten minutes of your life in front of a computer trying to make yourself stand out from the crowd of thousands of other "teachers" in Korea? I mean, sure, potential employers might get some idea of what you would be like in the classroom by how you plan and present a short introduction, but why would they want to have THAT unnecessary information, right? Besides, if you DID make the introduction video, you might feel like you have to send the link along with whatever other application materials you send to any school, regardless of whether you continue to use this recruiter -- one more thing to copy and paste into your cover letter, and who the heck has time for alt-c, alt-v?

Stupidest complaint I have heard in a while....

[schwa]

So say a person doesnt buy into youtube exposure or maybe doesnt have a webcam. Automatic exclusion from being a teacher?

[thegadfly]

Schwa,

Webcams are cheap, and if one is going overseas, the investment is probably worth it -- most folks I know talk to their family via webcam.

If one does not want to be on youtube, that is indeed a valid consideration -- but for every person that does NOT want to be on Youtube, there seem to be a dozen or so that DO want to post things.... I don't think the OP is protesting on the grounds of privacy -- I think it is more ego and entitlement -- "5 years experience" and $350 entitle him to a job without having to put in any more effort....

It is something, if done, can set one apart from the many, many others in the field. It would make one's application stand out, and it would take very little time, all things considered. It is a good idea.

One applicant for a position at our school sent links to youtube posts of him teaching several classes. It helped in the decision-making process, and got him further along than his resume alone would have....

Don't want to do it? Don't do it -- if your recruiter is forcing you, then switch recruiters...but don't act like something that can be done in under an hour to set one apart from the crowd is a bad thing.

[The Gipkik]

[thegadfly]

The Gipkik,

Verifiable experience and all one's paperwork in order is the STARTING POINT for getting a job at most of the schools I have worked for...but then, I have worked for "better than average" schools in Korea since my second year, so they probably have higher standards...they also offered higher salaries....

Quite a few experienced teachers have videotaped lessons as part of their teaching portfolios -- that is not "kissing an employer's arse," it is part of the "verifiable experience" you mentioned....

An introduction on youtube is pretty much the first five minutes of a telephone interview, without the hassle of co-ordinating different folks' schedules, possibly across multiple time zones....

[The Gipkik]

[thegadfly]

Gipkik,

When I got my teaching degree in the US, lo! these many years ago, I was told to get a video tape of myself teaching a class -- though it was not a "requirement," it was a very strong suggestion. Taping oneself in class in those days required a lot more bulky, expensive equipment than now. It was considered to be worth the time and effort, back when the time and effort were substantial....

Most new teachers in the US DO get a tape of a class, or at least several lessons (though it is probably not a tape, but rather some digital media). Those that don't have it realize that they are missing something that they probably SHOULD have.

[PatrickGHBusan]

I personally think that from an employer standpoint a youtube introduction is a good idea. It will make the applicants resume come alive.

Were I a new applicant or a returning applicant I would prepare a youtube introduction and include it with all my applications. Great way to stand out from the crowd.

Just create a semi-private youtube account that employers can access through a specific link.

Another thing that will eventually happen is that phone interviews will be replaced by Skype or other messenger interviews using webcams.

I know some recruiters do this after the initial screening.

OP: If you want the job, do the youtube intro and then use it for other applications....it may be worth it.

[The Gipkik]

Gadfly, a lot of what you say is very reasonable. I understand. But I don't agree that your experience in the US is applicable here. However, I've already made it perfectly clear that everyone has a different point when it comes to what they feel they should provide an employer. Of course, for above average positions it makes sense to expect more from a potential employee. The situation here isn't like that.

The vast majority of public school positions are not above average. But if they are it's happenstance and nothing more. Teachers don't know what kind of school they'll be walking into. For a good private school, international school, or topnotch private academy, the employer can and should have such expectations. They want to hire the best applicant. Private schools in Japan have being doing this for many years. They could and can. The pendulum is swinging in that direction here too.

A big part of the problem I have here is the essential hypocrisy of Korean educators putting such demands on entry level teachers here and, for the majority, not offering nearly enough in return. Demanding more and more and offering less and less. Applying for a job in a fast food restaurant and they ask you to make a perfect French omelet with plating presentation? Idiocy.

The tie analogy is convention. This isn't--in Korea, for these types of low grade jobs. And almost all public school jobs are low grade.