Korean Job Discussion Forums

phusion · Joined: 21 Nov 2005

Hey all,

I apologize in advance if this has been addressed here before, but I scoured the archives and could not find anything on the issue.

I have shoulder-length (sometimes shorter, but long enough to keep in a ponytail) hair that I would like to keep.

My question is: Do Korean employers care if men have long hair? Would having long hair lessen my chances of finding a job? I am looking for my first ESL job.

I keep my hair short and almost always wear it in a ponytail when I am out and about.

I am in no rush to find a job in Korea as I have 4-5 months to look around.

What do you think? Will potential employers tend to ignore my application because I don't conform to the "clean cut" anglo convention?

How about in Korean society in general? Is long hair on men considered strange? I come from the Western US and it is very common around here...

Thanks...

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject:

I say this in all honesty.

Yes. It will hurt your chances.

You are more likely to turn away some good schools, as well as some extremely anal ones that you wouldn't want to work for, anyway. You will still likely be able to get a job at a desperate school which could be any of the above, but most likely will be a school that sucks to work for.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Yes it would hurt your chances.

If you have never been to Korea, you won't know that almost all Korean males who work in suits have short hair cuts.

Koreans put a lot of importance in appearance.

They definately judge a book by its cover.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

thursdays child · Joined: 21 Sep 2005

It's not as much of an issue as it would of been even a few years ago. You may find it difficult to find a 'top' job but it wouldn't make much difference for most. A good friend of mine teaches with long hair - has worked for many different schools - nothing has ever been said - except for once when he cut his hair and his boss complained because the kids were freaked that he was too formal. He was a walking ad for the school..... mum's would come in and ask 'is this were the long haired chappy works?' and enrol thier kids. He's a bit of a celeb for it!!

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If you're working for a hogwan I don't think it will make much difference. Before I came over I had really long hair - I sent a pic with my hair in a pony tail and you couldn't even tell I had long hair. Mind you, I looked like scraggly, long-haired bum in my passport photo.

I think it will hurt your chances worst if you want to work for an adult academy or business school, as they rely on a professional image the most. Many hogwans are not actually looking for real teachers but rather people who look like real, happy, fun Americans to sing and dance with the kids (whether you are young and good-looking will be more of an issue there). At a high school having long hair would probably be the best way not to get taken seriously or be treated like a real teacher.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject:

When my hair was long a few years ago it wasn't apparent in photos while back in a pony tail.

Do the same. Hide it in the photo and don't worry at all when you get here.

I shaved my head earlier this fall and grew a beard (just for the heck of it - both gone now) and it didn't result in worse treatment, better in some ways.

We are all freaks to them anyways with our height, colouring, noses, etc. So, as soon as you get past the mandatory photo submission, you'll be okay.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I see so many Koreans with long hair, I figure it must be at least negotiable. Also, so many waegs with shoulder-length hair.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

It always makes me laugh when I see Korean TV shows, you know why? Because the men on them are always wearing really wild fashion and hairstyles, and I know that, even though millions of Koreans watch and love them... no Korean woman would touch any of them with a ten foot pole. Because if they went out together, people would look at them. I'm sure those male celebrities are sad, sad men. (Or their "TV hairstyles" are wigs, and they keep black trousers, short-sleeved white business shirts, and tasteless black shoes in their dressing rooms.)

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I think it's mostly the younger set of guys (beyond middle school and probably not out of university) who have that long, puffed, teased, dyed, stupid-looking hair that sits half a foot above their heads. To me it makes them look instantly Japanese, so I don't know why they think it's so cool.

Do you ever just see one of these guys walking down the street and can barely contain your laughter? Very Happy

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

One idea might be to get it cut so it's fairly professional looking. Then when you get a job, let it grow out. Ususally, once they get to know you they tend to like you and give you a bit more slack. Yet, first impressions are very important here.

All the best!

phusion · Joined: 21 Nov 2005

Thanks for the advice, folks...

I'm not going to cut it -- just clean it up as much as possible and hopefully they won't know the difference.

If nothing comes through then it's not meant to be!