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macjkk
Joined: 07 Jun 2015
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 Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:26 pm Post subject: being Chinese and finding a job |
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| Hi. I would like to teach English in hagwons. However, I was told by a recruiter just now that, b/c I have a Chinese background (instead of being "non-asian"), it would be very difficult to land a job in Korea. Is that true? Do you guys see any Chinese teachers there? I'm feeling pretty struck down right now cuz it's not even related to my abilities... |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: being Chinese and finding a job |
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| macjkk wrote: |
| Hi. I would like to teach English in hagwons. However, I was told by a recruiter just now that, b/c I have a Chinese background (instead of being "non-asian"), it would be very difficult to land a job in Korea. Is that true? Do you guys see any Chinese teachers there? I'm feeling pretty struck down right now cuz it's not even related to my abilities... |
Are you ethnic Chinese? Or are you actually a Chinese citizen? Where were you born? What passport do you have? What country is your university in? |
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macjkk
Joined: 07 Jun 2015
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: being Chinese and finding a job |
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| Yes, I'm ethnic Chinese. I was born in Hong Kong but immigrated to Canada at the age of seven. I have a Canadian passport and my university was in Canada. |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| macjkk wrote: |
| recent female graduate |
The double x chromosome is a HUGE advantage. So is youth. However, being Asian is a HUGE disadvantage, so much so it almost knocks you back to the level of white male. (Females from the United States are most preferred, followed by females from Canada.) The market is flooded. Less and less jobs to go around but (due to increased awareness/simonandmartina) more applicants than ever. You might not get something good. (But if you do, tell us.) |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: being Chinese and finding a job |
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| macjkk wrote: |
| Hi. I would like to teach English in hagwons. However, I was told by a recruiter just now that, b/c I have a Chinese background (instead of being "non-asian"), it would be very difficult to land a job in Korea. Is that true? Do you guys see any Chinese teachers there? I'm feeling pretty struck down right now cuz it's not even related to my abilities... |
It is marginally true but your blue passport and female gender will override the ethnicity.
Don't limit yourself to just one recruiter. Use all of them. Apply to everything that is of interest to you.
The good one is the one who gets you a "DECENT" job.
They are all good and they are all bad. They all have some proponents and they all have some complaints.
Search yourself and you have access to perhaps 20-50 potential employers who may be able to actually READ your resume and perhaps can get you through the visa confirmation process (not always easy for 1st time applicants).
Use 20 recruiters and that number jumps up into the many hundreds or potentially over 1000 jobs, even if the employer himself doesn't speak English (lots of hagwan jobs, MOST private placement PS jobs and virtually ALL private K-12 jobs fall into this category).
The problem lies in the fact that most people do NOT understand the role of the recruiter.
They are an introduction to a potential employer that you yourself would not otherwise be able to find. Then, if they are any good at their job, they guide you through the placement and assist with the paperwork necessary to get you as far as the employer.
They are NOT your friend.
They do NOT work for you (they are paid for and work for the employer).
They are like a used car salesman.
You walk onto their car-lot (website), peruse the cars (available jobs), if you see one you like you inquire about it.
After you listen to the sales pitch you let YOUR mechanic have a look at it (due diligence checking out the school).
If it is all good then you make the offer (accept the contract) and complete the sale (begin the paperwork for your visa application).
A good salesman will ensure that the paperwork is in order to make the sale and allow you to register the car. (A good recruiter will make sure your paperwork is in order and help get you through the paperwork to get your visa.)
I have no problem with using a recruiter or telling anyone else to use one (or more the case, many). They are your best option for fining the BEST fit when it comes to a job in Korea (or most of Asia for that matter).
For someone who is abroad, no connections and no ability to communicate in Korean then recruiters are a necessary evil.
That doesn't mean it is a crap shoot.
ALL recruiters are good. All recruiters are bad.
BUT they are a bridge to a job that you would not otherwise find.
The trick is in understanding what they are and what they do.
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dhan89
Joined: 24 May 2012
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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HONEST ANSWER HERE....
Top hagwons won't hire a chinese background person because they already staff Gyopos and white teachers.... real talk. from exp.
Mid level to lower, you have chance, definitely....
You should look relatively clean and professional...
If you're 18, you won't get a top hagwon job as a chinese background, because all the favors are against you...
However, keep searching and you'll find gigs... It's a big ass city. |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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Public schools. Also, consider smaller cities in the provinces.
Anther thing to note, you'll need a thick skin. Asians in general tie nationality with ethnicity. So, it's hard to fathom, for the average Asian/Korean, that you are Canadian and not white. Also if they find out you were not born in Canada, they'll even have a tougher time thinking you're a Canadian. Don't take things personally, and just accept what they think, and carry on. |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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Start out with a large academy in China but start out as a regular employee. There's public school jobs in HK and across the mainland.
You could even try EPIK in Korea or Japan's public school program and get your feet wet. Japan's program requires 10 years of abroad instruction in English for non-natives.
Most acadamies in Korea would be looking young, blonde, blue-eyed, perhaps African-American teachers. Adult academies might not be so picky. |
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