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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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almosthome
Joined: 16 Nov 2012
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 Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:02 pm Post subject: Physical Characteristics and Job Hunting |
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| Quite often I read here that certain physical characteristics make an applicant generally less desirable. Based on your observation and experience, how much longer (on average in the present economy) does it take to get a good job offer if a person has dark skin or large tattoos, is old-looking or male, has significant scars or walks with a cane, or is overweight by 40# or 100#? Which are the worst offenses? More important, how easily are these things offset by dressing well, an F visa, networking, good personality, a desirable accent, teaching experience in or out of Korea, a degree from a prestigious college, ESL training, a masters or PhD, good references, special skills, Korean language ability, and publications? How are hiring values different at the university level? |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:07 am Post subject: |
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| Age is the primary disqualifier in the category you're talking about, pure, flat, and simple. It's very very sad too. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| young_clinton wrote: |
| Age is the primary disqualifier in the category you're talking about, pure, flat, and simple. It's very very sad too. |
What if you're old and handsome? Ha ha. As for all these other things, I, like others, had heard these things for years. Before the recession, the ideal English teacher was blond hair, blue eyes, female, pretty, slim, with a North American accent. But, lots of others were hired because there weren't enough of those "ideal" types coming over. If you were really aged (and looked it) and had not been in Korea before, then you ended up in the countryside. In my old rural area from a few years ago, I was odd in being somewhat younger. Most of the other teachers and those in neighboring country towns were anywhere from mid 40's to early 60's. The bigger regional cities had mixed age groups. Busan and Seoul got the youngest and most photogenic teachers, though some experienced older teachers were added into the mix, even there.
The recession hit in 2009 and the ideal teacher became easier to get. I read a lot on this board back in 2009 about teachers getting dropped, even public schools, and non renewed for being too old, too bald, too fat, etc (Mostly GEPIK and SMOE, if I remember right). EPIK was trying to ramp up their exapnsion at this time, so they took anybody. EPIK 2009, mixed age groups (young and old) even in the countryside. EPIK 2010, mostly young white attractive Americans, even in rural areas. (In 2010, it dawned on many POE's away from Seoul and Gyeong-gi that foreigners were easy to get and they didn't have to be desperate anymore.) EPIK 2011 more mixed races, but all young and somewhat attractive (even in the countryside). EPIK 2012, more mixed types, balding, fat, slim, attractive, unattractive - but mostly still younger (20's and 30's), in rural areas.
It use to be really rural areas had teachers in their 40's or 50's or none at all for months at a time. Now, there's the odd 50 something, but even there, mostly 20's and 30's. But, if you taught in Korea before and are older and have patience, you can probably get back in. I knew a guy in his 40's hired by EPIK in 2011, but he was here 3 years earlier.
I don't know if these changes are the economy changing back home and slightly less are applying than before or if different people are applying than before, or what is going on. Seems to be less looks discrimination than before, but the ageism may still be there a bit.
I think if you have a good job photo and are persistent and patient, you can get back here.
Other factors, dressing well, having a good personality, being good with kids, experience in Korea, experience or training in ESL, etc can compensate with many. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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It depends on the guy hiring really. I was just 40, not the thinnest (not heavy) and I had gray hair, but I got hired for an really good afterschool without any certificate. To be fair, I just carried myself well, and I can speak Korean, but I think its if you carry yourself well, have a good appearance, and such, that will be the determinate.
Some places will only hire based on age or whatnot, but I will never say you have to bew young white and pretty, esp if youre a guy. My boss wanted a man specifically, as he didnt like hiring females. The parents wanted a male, too. So, dont quit. |
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itiswhatitis
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 6:10 am Post subject: |
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There are always random variables.
I once did not get a job.
I found out later that it was because one of the current native teachers (who observed my open class) worried that I was too handsome and wold take away any chance that he had of scoring with some of the pretty Korean teachers.
While he was there only pretty ladies and ugly men were hired.
I wish I was making this up. |
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Squire
Joined: 26 Sep 2010
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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| When I got here my city took in something like 23 or 24 new public school teachers, and only 5 were female. These days it's almost all young girls being taken on, I haven't met a male PS newbie in a long time. Clearly they can afford to be selective |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 2:01 am Post subject: |
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What's really shocking and infuriating is it is not just the bad and medicore jobs for which being a female applicant is a massive advantage, but for the GOOD jobs as well. And this is true nearly everywhere in the ESL world, not just Korea.
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I earned US $110,000 a year as a visiting instructor at one national university about 4 years ago. Mind you, $25,000 of that was in annual bonuses. There was also the $4,500 annual research budget that I received on top of that, along with subsidized housing. Most contract jobs pay in the $70,000 - $80,000 range, however.
I know gaijin university profs in Japan that are earning $120,000 a year at some private universities, have been here 20 years and that are now millionaires.
One needs to be lucky, but a doctorate isn't needed.
And women have a great chance at landing a $100,000 a year university job in Japan if they apply. Universities are specifically asking for more female applicants in job postings, especially national universities. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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41 now, got turned down for some jobs, but got a few great job, because I take care of myself and go to uniqlo now and then an buy a new shirt.
thats all I worry about.
oh, with the female thing, not everyone want a female. My current boss told me he was looking for males for this job, girls sometimes whine too much. Lol. Hes a cool guy anyway.
There was a job that wasnt advertised for I think Berlitz in Gangnam, they wanted some real out there qualifications, but actually, I had all of them in spades. BUT they wanted a woman. Theres no way any lady with those qualifications was in Korea, but I didnt get the job. I guess, in that case, her being a lady was good enough to overlook their request for qualifactions ha.
ojh well |
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