| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
woollysocks
Joined: 09 Feb 2011
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:48 am Post subject: Men to be clean shaven? |
 |
|
| I'm looking for a position in Seoul. I came across a posting that asked for resume and a photo, and stated that men must be clean shaven (in the picture). Is it common for schools to require men to be clean shaven when teaching? Are there no bearded teachers in South Korea? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Blackthorne
Joined: 02 Oct 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It depends on the school. If you apply for jobs with a beard you may get less offers. You may also be point blank asked to shave your beard by your employer. I had an issue with having a beard when I was hired for a previous school, and in the end I realized it would be easier for future jobs to just begin the application process clean shaven and avoid the issue entirely. I suppose a clean shaven teacher just looks more professional and put together, although I don't agree with that (when I grow a beard I always keep it neatly trimmed), and an employer shouldn't discriminate like that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lonestarteacher
Joined: 09 Jan 2011
Location: Suncheon
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Blackthorne wrote: |
| It depends on the school. If you apply for jobs with a beard you may get less offers. You may also be point blank asked to shave your beard by your employer. I had an issue with having a beard when I was hired for a previous school, and in the end I realized it would be easier for future jobs to just begin the application process clean shaven and avoid the issue entirely. I suppose a clean shaven teacher just looks more professional and put together, although I don't agree with that (when I grow a beard I always keep it neatly trimmed), and an employer shouldn't discriminate like that. |
There's school districts that are like this even in the United States. There's a couple in Texas that openly at job fairs says that male teachers are not allowed to have any sort of facial hair... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
willteachforfood
Joined: 24 Jan 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| lonestarteacher wrote: |
| There's school districts that are like this even in the United States. There's a couple in Texas that openly at job fairs says that male teachers are not allowed to have any sort of facial hair... |
Yes, but much of Texas is backwards. I've even heard of some people from Texas who don't speak no grammar very good. There ARE some school districts in Texas that SAY they will still hire these fellows as long as they don't grow an un-Christian beard.
You will definitely encounter schools that won't hire bearded teachers, and schools that will ask/demand that you shave if you grow a beard after the fact....but MOST schools will simply say nothing and just think that you are a 'dirty homeless' behind your back for the duration of your employment....no schools will find your beard to be normal.
In all my years here I have never seen a Korean man under 60 with a beard....at best you see some boys in their early 20's with vato-style Mexican mustaches. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lastrova
Joined: 30 Dec 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The golden rule for teaching in Korea: Present an ideal image up front and then, when they get to like you, do whatever you want. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
willteachforfood
Joined: 24 Jan 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Lastrova wrote: |
| The golden rule for teaching in Korea: Present an ideal image up front and then, when they get to like you, do whatever you want. |
This is kind of the case in any job, in any country.
While I dislike the fact that Korean schools are so anti-beard....(I generally don't grow one, but don't like personal freedoms being taken away in any situation)....it is normal that one has to present themselves in a manner that is not exactly how they'd like to be in order to get a job, move up in a company, and so on.
In general you don't see many upper-level managers in North America or Europe that have pony tails down to the middle of their back....is this fair? NO! Is this just the way things work? Yes.
Same goes for tattoos, excessive piercings, and so on. Most professional positions in any country frown on these things as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a beard and I've worked at about ten different schools.
I've had directors and supervisors quibble over a lot of other things, but not that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
willteachforfood
Joined: 24 Jan 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| tomato wrote: |
I have a beard and I've worked at about ten different schools.
I've had directors and supervisors quibble over a lot of other things, but not that. |
But you're quite a bit older than the average NET, right?
I get the feeling that you're in your mid-40's, yes? I think that the attitude towards a middle aged man having a beard -vs- a man in his mid 20's would be quite different....not just here, but anywhere. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think it is a lot easier to get started with the kids if you are clean shaven. It just looks less intimidating. Then, once you are all familiar with each other, start to grow a beard. They get a kick out of it. One day I shaved off my beard and left my mustache and the kids were all wide-eyed; a couple drew pictures on their quiz of a smiley face with a mustache and wrote that they liked it.
Anyway, it works out good with the kids to start clean shaven. If the school requests it, just double the reason. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Skipperoo
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| an un-Christian beard. |
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Shave for the interview and photo. My colleagues in their early thirties have beards when they want. There is not the stigma you imagine. But I advise shaving it to get the job. Most schools will not care. There are plenty of Korean teachers with beards at my uni. I personally think it looks good on some men. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mattdsoares
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
Depends on the school. Koreans in general are not good at growing facial hair so it is rare and considered dirty by some.
My advice would be to be clean shaven in any photos you send them and for the interview process. Show up clean shaven, then take it from there.
My school is lenient. They make it clean they aren't big fans of facial hair but for the first 8 months here I had a neatly trimmed goatee and they were fine with it at long as I kept it groomed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| No. That is a Jewish beard, obviously. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
emmahearst
Joined: 10 Jan 2011
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Men to be clean shaven? |
|
|
You must be working for the New York Yankees, my bf and I went to the game once and they all had to be shaved.
| woollysocks wrote: |
| I'm looking for a position in Seoul. I came across a posting that asked for resume and a photo, and stated that men must be clean shaven (in the picture). Is it common for schools to require men to be clean shaven when teaching? Are there no bearded teachers in South Korea? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
