Korean Job Discussion Forums

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Being over 40 does have its drawbacks. Every school I've been to in the last month has done exactly the same thing.
They call me for an interview.

They look at my resume, oh good lots of experience.

They ask me about my experiences in Korea.

I ask them a few questions about the school and the job.

They are all smiles and friendly.

Then the interview ends, we shake hands and I never hear from them again.

Then over the next few days I notice that they are still looking for a teacher. Confused

I've been offered some illegal work and it's getting hard to turn it down.
If I don't get a job soon........I may have to do some illegal jobs just to eat.

Confused

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

Unfortunately I agree with you.

My director interviewed someone who was FANTASTIC for the job - at the interview she LOVED him, thought he was absolutely perfect, and was all set to offer the position. When she asked him to email his passport page and saw that he was older than he looked, she decided that he was too old. When she didn't know his age, he was great, and he looked a LOT younger than he really was.

Personally, I think it came down to the fact that he was the same age as her, and maybe she was uncomfortable with being his "superior" but regardless, it really peed me off.

Good luck...although that sounds cheesy and I wish I had some actual adivce . . . but I don't...

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Well, I guess it's the wrong time of year or something. I can't find any public school jobs advertised these days.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

There's a possible opening at the second public high school in the town I work in. I know they were looking as of five-or-six weeks ago, and they didn't want to go through a recruiter. I should know by Monday, and I'll post it if it's still open, and you can PM me for details if interested...

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

There are planty of over 40's teaching out here, I personally know 5 of them (4 at universities, 1 at public school). If you have an m.A or a PhD, age isn't an issue i think- whereas hagwons are probably looking for younger types to play ball etc with the kids.

Why not seek advice from the Over 40 club?

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=45249

There are a few over 50's here teaching too... schwa is 50+ I think..a couple others too.

tomato · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:11 am Post subject:

Some Waygug-in, I have the same problem.
I think their concern is whether or not the candidate is energetic enough.
That's one question which my prospective employer asked when she consulted my present employer for a reference.
The best way to cope with the problem is to argue that you are energetic.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:49 am Post subject:

If you can get by somehow, the schools will start hiring for public jobs in a few months or so. They all start in Feb, though. Still a ways to go! But you can get lucky and pick up something from someone leaving their public job early. I suggest you give worknplay a call. Just go to their site. They have placed older individual in jobs at public schools before. The public schools seem not to care so much about age, and are better all-around abotu 75% of the time anyway.

mysteriousdeltarays · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject:

I'm over 40 and I'm so energetic that I barely handle it. Everybody knows I'm flying and not on drugs either. I have had it with this crap. I'm going to go to China where as I am often reassured by at least the Foriegn Technical Experts Bureau that age discrimination is against the constitution Of the People's Republic of China.

I mean these people's conception of age is based upon a population that lives on rotten cabbage (full of vitamin C, sure) , instant ramen (Palm oil is good for you), candy and snack foods.

Here's a good one for you, this may have been the moment I decided.

Some woman called me up for a job that I wouldn't take in a million years (everytime I go to the airport it seems I meet a midnight flyer from that dump.)

She asked me "can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure" "How old are you?" I responded "How old are you?" She hemmed and hawed and said "Well women" Like I care. So I asked her what size her uh oh censorship were?' she laughed. Actually we talked for awhile. She ended up telling me that it was the most "interesting" interview she had ever had.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Well, thanks all for your replies. I've got a couple more interviews coming up, so I'll be as energetic as possible.

One guy told me to drink 5 cups of coffee before any interview. Laughing

I'll try that and see if it helps.

Thanks

PS. Let us all know how things turn out for you in China. I may be heading that way too......... we'll see.

Cheers