Korean Job Discussion Forums

ecalpemos · Joined: 28 Sep 2006

I had one recruiter say that it may take longer to place me because of age( I'm 39)is this the general way of things in korea or is it just this recruiter. How hard is it to get a good position at my age, I have a B.Ed and 13 years teaching experience, 10 of which abroad but not in asia. Is there really so much resistance to age?

swetepete · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Location: a limp little burg

I would think that the better jobs--University, or International School--would not balk at hiring a 39-year old. It is certainly true though that the cruddy little puppy-mill schools would prefer to have a sucker who will work for squat and know nothing and sit limp and supine while they get a big smelly brick laid in their wide-open baby-bird mouths.
Just dye your hair and get a lobotomy, you'll fit right in. People drink and smoke so much here, they look 40 even if they're 25.

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

With your credentials, you should not be using a recruiter. They will just try and give you any available job. One time I applied for a job, not knowing it was a recruiter, he offered me 1.9 million won for 30 hours of teaching. This was after I had told him that my current job paid 2.5 million. They just want to get you into job so that they can make their money.

If your experience teaching is in English as a foreign language than your age is not much of an issue. If you are 39 and don't have any experience, then schools would pass you over. There are many good schools (hagwons, universities and public schools that would take you) The issue is more about not teaching in Asia. Many schools that I have applied for like that I have taught in Korea. Before coming to Korea, I had several years teaching experience but no school cared that much. After one year in Korea, schools were more interested because I had experience in Korea.

Many of the good universities desire a master's degree but if you have university teaching experience, then you have chance. You might want to look into public schools. They will be starting in March. Apply now.

Good luck