Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gypsy trader]

Does anyone know what a school can legally ask you during a job interview in Korea? What questions or inquiries are totally not legal or acceptable? I am wondering if there are any laws or guidelines that cover this topic. I've looked all over this site.

Thanks in advance.

[mr.bojangles]

mmm...i think pretty much everything they ask you they are allowed to ask you..there are just some ways to avoid answering. they don't like being embarassed, so looking them in the eye and saying "that's my private life." or something of the like is probably going to make them avoid those kind of questions. but then you might not get the job cause they don't like people to challenge them.
i would say just lie. they're damn nosy people and will ask what they want. if it's personal, just lie. (not about anything really important, like "do you have a degree?" but about personal stuff).
you might want to check out a human rights page on efl-law.com.

[kangnamdragon]

What questions do you imagine would be illegal?

[sadsac]

From experience, they ask whatever they like. Are you a christian? That has been a very common one. There are no EEO policies guarding you here. Use your common sense when confronted with a question which you think is out of line.

[prairieboy]

I don't know what they can't ask you here, but in Canada, an employer can't ask you about your religion nor can they ask you about your sexual orientation.

If I were asked, "Are you Christian?" I would answer yes because I was baptised in a Christian church. However, if they neglect to ask whether I'm a "practicing" Christian then that's their problem for assuming I am.

In otherwords you can tell the truth but in a way that doesn't really answer the question as they intended. Be prepared and work around it.

Cheers

[phaedrus]

If they ask personal questions just lie.

Do you have a Korean girlfriend? No.

Are you Christian? Yes.

Are you a practicing Christian? Yes.

Do you smoke? No.

Do you drink? Just a little on special occasions.

If they ask these questions they are only going to judge you on the 'improper answers'. Tell them what they want to hear. They aren't going to ask for church attendance records or anything. All these things can 'change' back to normal immediately after the job interview.

[Homer]

Interesting topic gypsy.

However you would need to be more specific about the type of questions.
Otherwise its like asking do you think it will rain this coming fall?

[gypsy trader]

Basically, I am wondering if Korea has any guidelines or laws regarding what can be asked during an interview. It sounds like it's a free for all and yes, there are always ways to be creative with your answers. I do challenge them occasionally to see how they will respond.

Most of the questions I hear are about nationality, age, race, religious preference, and most recently if I have any children or belongings, how my family would cope with me being away, etc., etc. Here in the States all of the above are out of bounds and I find myself running into a bit of culture clash. The last interviewer who asked my age I responded age has nothing to do with my ability to teach or be a reliable worker (not that teaching happens in most hagwons from what I read and hear...), and that I am over 30 and let it go at that. I am well aware that appearance, age, and nationality can be the deciding factor in hiring - forget about experience or qualifications.

Thanks for all your replies.

[Homer]

The questions you mention are related to the job market demand here in Korea.

Some of these questions are a sad testament to what the market wants (certain age, ethnicity).
However they are par for the course if you want a job here.
To consider here is the fact that these schools hire us without really meeting us. They rely (at best) on a phone interview to assess the suitability of a candidate and then invest substantial funds to get him or her over to Korea (plane ticket, appartment, and sometimes relocation allowance).
This might explain the questions you mention (read explain, not justify).

Alternatively, you could come over on your coin and hit the pavement. This might make it easier.

[The Lemon]

There's another school of thought that says those "out of bounds" questions they ask may save everyone a lot of trouble in the future when you're not a candidate anymore, but The New Employee.

Age and appearance (and race) shouldn't play any part in whether someone's a decent educator. But one can assume that some of the same Korean owners who would ask those questions might also try to make life miserable for any teacher who they hired without knowing about the factor that made them undesirable to them.

There have been stories of teachers met at the airport by the scum owner, and the owner just turning around and driving away, leaving the teacher stranded there because the owner didn't like the teacher's appearance/race/age.

Ideally, bosses like that shouldn't exist, but since they're out there, isn't it better that they be able to ask those questions and avoid that situation?

[chinook]

[Tricky Woo]

[phaedrus]