Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Marcilla]

edit: Okay, I'll work on the photo and the letter some more

I thought that photo/letter looked pretty good, but I don't have a professional perspective

Thanks for the feedback

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Hello again

Sorry to keep bugging this forum with questions while unable to provide any useful feedback to anyone else's problems

If you guys ever get into electrical engineering or world of warcraft, hit me up :*D

I just took this photo:
http://students.washington.edu/mnrtyman/pub/RayMarcilla.jpg

Do you think that'd work for applying to jobs?

I also wrote a cover letter for this job:
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=17959

the letter:
http://students.washington.edu/mnrtyman/pub/RayMarcilla-CoverLetter_Nov2005.doc

If nobody wants to bother reading the letter, though, it's okay

I'm pretty sure that it'll do its job

[Ya-ta Boy]

Koreans are impressed with professionalism, or at least the appearance of it.

If you were applying for a teaching job in the US or Canada or wherever, would you use that photograph? I don't think you would. I think you would put on a clean shirt, button it up, put on a tie and jacket and take 10 bucks and go to a photographer and have a professional photo taken. Why not do it for a Korean job?

[Hater Depot]

Your cover letter is too long. And as much as they realize many people go to Korea because they want to see the world, it's not something you should mention in the letter.

[cruisemonkey]

I agree with the above comments. You should also use business format for your cover letter - you're not writing to a friend or relative.

[Ya-ta Boy]

While I'm awake and online at 5:43 AM for honest and legitimate reasons, I have to suspect the other two posters are up to something nefarious at this time of day.

[Hater Depot]

I don't what the other guy's up to. But I'm in the States so it's mid-afternoon for me.

[cruisemonkey]

Hell Ytb, what are you doing sleeping in? I was up before 0400!

[Mr. Literal]

As others have posted, your cover letter was not written in the proper format. Also, it is entirely too long and just isn't......inspiring.

In the first paragraph, you claim to have an excellent command of the written language, particularly in punctuation and other matters of grammar. Ironically, that same paragraph contains a compound-complex sentence that is NOT punctuated correctly. That same sentence is superfluous and smacks of unfounded condescension. Other grammatical errors can be found throughout the document.

One last thought: Contractions are a no-no in formal letters.

[mindmetoo]

I liked the letter. The letter was quite fine. If I was hiring I'd wonder why an engineering grad would want to teach snot nosed kids. That question was answered. The photo, you look like you're angry or smirking or mugging for the camera. It doesn't look every professional. Do you have a more normal photo?

[sheba]

Keep in mind the person reading the letter may not have such a great grasp on English. Even if they are fluent there are still many words they do not know. Be careful with the words you use and how complex the sentence is.

[jacl]

I thought the letter was too long and stupid. If I were an employer, I'd throw it in the trash. He's saying too much. That bit about Americans scratching their heads over grammar and him saying that it rarely happens to him (Congratulations! ) doesn't have any place in a cover letter.

Rather "obtuse".

The picture just makes me laugh. What's with the tie, buddy?

Anyway, you don't need to overthink these kinds of things to get a good teaching job in Korea. And I'm not sure YBM is the best place to teach. Maybe they need a good cover letter. There are better hagwons that don't give a rat's ass about those. Probably because they can't tell the difference.

[Marcilla]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[blunder1983]

Keep it concise and to the point. I'm a big believer of having my CV do all my arguing for me rather than waffling on in the cover letter.

He knows your American from your CV, he knows you are "fluent in conversational English" being English I think its not too radical to assume you can speak your first language.

Nor does he care that a lot of Americans cannot correct their own sentences. Most of them don't attend universities and get degrees.

Write it like a LETTER. Return address and date at the top, then simply state why you are wanting the job.

Dear Mr Kim,

I noticed you are advertising a vacancy in your Seoul branch of YBM. I have recently completed my degree and am looking for a new challanging role which provides me a chance to really make an impact on improving people's lives. I have excellent command of the English language and gained a (grade) at (university). Please look over my CV for a more detailed account on why I am suited to this role. I look forward to working with you.

Regards

(name)

Ok thats rough and crappy, but its a lot more concise. Also assuming you already have the role is kinda cheeky but shows determination and enthusiasm. Also tailor your CV to the application. Under heading of degree, mention you wrote lots of essays under tough time restrictions, say you assisted others in the final year devising mini tests for them to ensure they understood the materials learnt. Not lies but nice window dressing relevant to the ESL area.

Finally, remember that many Korean's grasp of English is not that hot. I'd say that your "foreigness" is still a big reason your being employed. Therefore a particulary lengthy discussion on why you an ideal candidate for a job is something they probably won't fully comprehend and nor will they care. The MOST important thing is the photo. I got in my suit put on a white shirt and a tie (please, do the top button up). Then I got my dad to take it (he's a semi prof photographer, in my officey style chair in our study with plenty of light coming through the window. If you have a bit more money then I reccomend a proffessional photo.

Anyway I've rambled on long enough, but cut it down and get a better photo. Oh and IMHO YBM aint that great, get a school gig or come over hunting.

[Ya-ta Boy]