Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

My fiancee and I were discussing our options for after our wedding next March and wondering what we could do. She has a pretty stressful job at a large multinational company that is well known back in North America and has branches all over the world. We were discussing living in Changwon where I am now and having her quit her current job, take a year off, and then try to get another job at another multinational company that would perhaps be a better suit for her. We decided yesterday to give this plan a go and because of this, I mentioned to my school that I might be staying on an extra year.

Within less than a day, my fiancee has decided that she won't be able to get any other job if she quits the one she has now as, according to her and her co-workers, if you are married to a foreigner and try to get a job with a Korean branch of a multinational company, they simply won't hire you. The reason for this, I've been told, is because being married to a foreigner means that you will leave Korea and are therefore not worth hiring. My argument is that superior English ability and experience in the field (3 years) should make her a shoo in for a job at any international company. Apparently though this bias against the spouses of foreigners is common knowledge and a custom that cannot be fought against as she is afraid that this will jeopardize her future career somehow. I think it's all a load of bull but of course since her co-workers have told her it's so (none of whom have ever tried to change jobs nor have ever been married to a foreigner) it must be so and therefore Changwon has been ousted as a possibility... Evil or Very Mad

What bothers me about this is that not only does she see this as gospel regarding Korean branches of Western companies, but that she would take this crap as truth without giving it a go. I understand that she doesn't want to gamble in case it's true but I just can't comprehend how this kind of bull could possibly be fact. Anyone ever heard of this before?

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

If its a korean doing the hiring I wouldnt be surprised.
Just tell her not to mention that she is married during the interview. Or if they ask lie about it. To hell with them. These arent korean companies so they should use normal hiring practices.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

that's not true. My wife has not had any problems getting a job with multinational companies. I also know several mixed couples where the Korean husband/wife has not had any trouble in this area.

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

Beej,

I thought the same thing but apparently they ask for your family register crap so that they can make sure your family is good enough to give you the time of day (regardless of your personal qualifications, of course).

Superhero,

This is EXACTLY what I thought. But she's been convinced that down here in Busan, she'll be on some kind of blacklist and won't get employed again in Korea.

Homer · Guest

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

Well, my fiancee wonders if her year off would somehow shoot her in the foot and she wants me to ask if anybody's wives did a year off thing and then tried to hunt for work again? (I think this is an irrelevant question but she seems to really want an answer!) Sorry and thanks! Smile

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

I've just spoken to my fiancee and she claims that the market conditions and the degrees and the ages of your wives must be taken into account before I can even make such a ludicrous claim that a multinational job is possible to get in Changwon (or Busan). Rolling Eyes

Homer · Guest

My wife and I had our first child back in the spring. She is taking a year off and her boss keeps in touch with her. She has a job waiting for her when she returns.

Otherwise, she keeps up with her field of work and is in contact with other companies who would hire her. She is in her early 30's and has a B.A. and an M.A. in her field of work.

It is true that the degree and age can affect chances of getting hired but then again thats true in most cases for job seekers.

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

well, she has a BA in Business and is 28 Korean age. Her spoken English is good, her relationship with her company members is good, though I think that's because she's a total asset to the company and I have always said to keep up that contact. The thing is that I don't see with her age and her degree and experience (3 years at an international company) how her taking a year off to improve her English (and also learn some French) would somehow work against her.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

how old is she?

Everyone has told me that if a woman is near or over 30 in Korea then she is considered unhirable.

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

Like I said, she's 28 Korean Age. If she took a year off she'd be applying when she was 29 Korean Age.

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

Age is going to be the problem and marriage period--not just married to a white dude.

Why not quit your job? Unless it is the perfect teaching job, there are too many out there not to keep her happy/comfortable.

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

I've always thought about doing exactly that, chiaa, and I know that I will do that but it's just hard for me to leave a job I like with co-workers I like and move to another city and have to rely on her job for a month or so while I search for a job when I know that she could have a bunch of bad days there and want to quit. I don't want her to stay in a job that she decides later isn't worth it simply because we need the money. Plus, I'm kinda scared to change jobs and get caught in a craptacular hogwon (the one I'm in now is ok). I will end up going but I'm just a little frustrated by the whole "well, everybody says it's impossible so it's impossible" thing.

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

Let me offer one piece of advice as a married guy. You two will be leaning on each other for many years to come. It's the greatest thing about a relationship and at the same time the most trying. Don't feel bad for leaning on her for a month while you look for work. If it was reversed she would be doing that to you and you would not mind right?

If she is proven right and she has a hard time getting a job she will probably blame you and that is not good when trying to get use to being married. She will feel like she had to give up everything for you.

IMHO it is easier for you to find a good job than it is for her.

Just my two cents and this is my only serious post for the next six months.

Dysupes · Joined: 24 May 2005

Thanks for the advice, Chiaa. It is helpful to hear from other people who have gone through the same issues. I will change jobs (we've been talking) and you're right, it is easier for me to change than for her. And yes, I agree, that I wouldn't want there to be blame of any kind between us if there was a problem.

Thanks for the advice. It was all stuff I had thought about and considered and was pretty sure I would do but it defintiely helps to hear it from someone else who has been there. Thanks!