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Korea30003000
Joined: 14 Sep 2014
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 Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:10 am Post subject: Is experience an asset or liability |
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Vent time.
So, have been in Korea 5 years. Went for a teaching position. Didn't get the job. Found out later that the person who got the job had only been here for 1 year. We (myself and the successful applicant) are both male. He has a BA, like me. I am 28 and he is 25. I am Canadian and he is American. We are both normal build, not fat and have full heads of hair.
There may be many reasons why he got the job instead of me. However, I wonder if one reason might be that the employer may feel like there is something wrong with me because I have been doing the English teaching gig in Korea for so long. Understand that there is a perception here among a lot of people that this kind of thing (ELS in Korea) is okay to do for a couple of years after uni but if you are here to too long then it says something about you i.e. 'this guy can't do anything else'.
Also, I wonder if it might be because I am Canadian. I understand that there is a perception that the American accent is easier to understand than the Canadian accent (although I note that for the most part they are the same thing).
Thoughts? |
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guavashake
Joined: 09 Nov 2013
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:46 am Post subject: |
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Above all, the number one factor for hiring in Korea is the applicant's photograph
The photo is the trump card |
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wooden nickels
Joined: 23 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:05 am Post subject: Re: Is experience an asset or liability |
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| Korea30003000 wrote: |
Vent time.
So, have been in Korea 5 years. Went for a teaching position. Didn't get the job. Found out later that the person who got the job had only been here for 1 year. We (myself and the successful applicant) are both male. He has a BA, like me. I am 28 and he is 25. I am Canadian and he is American. We are both normal build, not fat and have full heads of hair.
There may be many reasons why he got the job instead of me. However, I wonder if one reason might be that the employer may feel like there is something wrong with me because I have been doing the English teaching gig in Korea for so long. Understand that there is a perception here among a lot of people that this kind of thing (ELS in Korea) is okay to do for a couple of years after uni but if you are here to too long then it says something about you i.e. 'this guy can't do anything else'.
Also, I wonder if it might be because I am Canadian. I understand that there is a perception that the American accent is easier to understand than the Canadian accent (although I note that for the most part they are the same thing).
Thoughts? |
My guess, the boss thinks:
(1) 25 trumps 28, easier to control and manipulate
(2) 0 to little experience trumps 5 years experience, easier to control and manipulate
(3) Canadian or American, possibly a preference but (1) and (2) would trump (3)
(4) appearance is the trump of trumps |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:27 am Post subject: |
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| Any improvement to credentials after five years or just a BA? |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:26 am Post subject: |
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| My guess is he's cheaper to hire. |
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ChrisPK
Joined: 07 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Is experience an asset or liability |
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| Korea30003000 wrote: |
Vent time.
So, have been in Korea 5 years. Went for a teaching position. Didn't get the job. Found out later that the person who got the job had only been here for 1 year. We (myself and the successful applicant) are both male. He has a BA, like me. I am 28 and he is 25. I am Canadian and he is American. We are both normal build, not fat and have full heads of hair.
There may be many reasons why he got the job instead of me. However, I wonder if one reason might be that the employer may feel like there is something wrong with me because I have been doing the English teaching gig in Korea for so long. Understand that there is a perception here among a lot of people that this kind of thing (ELS in Korea) is okay to do for a couple of years after uni but if you are here to too long then it says something about you i.e. 'this guy can't do anything else'.
Also, I wonder if it might be because I am Canadian. I understand that there is a perception that the American accent is easier to understand than the Canadian accent (although I note that for the most part they are the same thing).
Thoughts? |
Yes, that's true. It doesn't look good.
Don't feel bad about yourself. It's time to move on. |
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ChrisPK
Joined: 07 Aug 2014
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:46 am Post subject: Re: Is experience an asset or liability |
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| Korea30003000 wrote: |
Also, I wonder if it might be because I am Canadian. I understand that there is a perception that the American accent is easier to understand than the Canadian accent (although I note that for the most part they are the same thing).
Thoughts? |
Most Koreans or even recruiters can't even tell the difference. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:58 am Post subject: Re: Is experience an asset or liability |
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| ChrisPK wrote: |
| Korea30003000 wrote: |
Also, I wonder if it might be because I am Canadian. I understand that there is a perception that the American accent is easier to understand than the Canadian accent (although I note that for the most part they are the same thing).
Thoughts? |
Most Koreans or even recruiters can't even tell the difference. |
Most Americans can't tell the difference. |
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creeper1
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:39 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| Any improvement to credentials after five years or just a BA? |
Most likely any improvement on a BA would also hinder him. |
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talentedcrayon
Joined: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Why do you even care?
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:56 am Post subject: |
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They want young and beautiful. People need basic credentials for the visa.
The visa is actually just a barrier between them and the white, blue eyed, blond and female, teenage babysitter they are really looking for.
Last edited by talentedcrayon on Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:41 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| creeper1 wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
| Any improvement to credentials after five years or just a BA? |
Most likely any improvement on a BA would also hinder him. |
Right, because certified teachers always have such a hard time finding decent jobs.  |
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talentedcrayon
Joined: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Why do you even care?
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| deleted |
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Korea30003000
Joined: 14 Sep 2014
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| Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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"It's time to move on"
Think I will. 5 years is enough time here. Don't agree with the stereo type some might have about people who have been doing this for years - but it is a reality. |
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EZE
Joined: 05 May 2012
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: Is experience an asset or liability |
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| northway wrote: |
| ChrisPK wrote: |
| Korea30003000 wrote: |
Also, I wonder if it might be because I am Canadian. I understand that there is a perception that the American accent is easier to understand than the Canadian accent (although I note that for the most part they are the same thing).
Thoughts? |
Most Koreans or even recruiters can't even tell the difference. |
Most Americans can't tell the difference. |
So true. I can sometimes tell Canadians are from north of the former Confederate states, but beyond that, they could be from anywhere. Ohio, Saskatchewan, Oregon, Alberta...they all sound the same to me.  |
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GEOM
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Qualifications aren't everything.
He is younger, so:
1. He isn't as expensive.
2. He's easier to push around.
In Korea, especially, someone who is easier to push around trumps qualifications.
You should try to apply somewhere more upscale like in Daechi-dong or Bundang. |
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