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blondieLass
Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Location: Yongin, South Korea
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 Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 3:45 am Post subject: First-timer from the UK |
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Hi everyone!
New to the board. I am planning/hoping to come to Korea to teach English (obviously - otherwise I'm posting on the wrong board  )
I am female and pretty overweight. I have read about photos being important. Do you think this will adversely effect my job hunt?
Also for any UK-ers which recruitment agencies or websites did you find most helpful in arranging a contract?
Thanks for any advice/info.
Laura |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 3:56 am Post subject: Re: First-timer from the UK |
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| blondieLass wrote: |
Hi everyone!
New to the board. I am planning/hoping to come to Korea to teach English (obviously - otherwise I'm posting on the wrong board )
I am female and pretty overweight. I have read about photos being important. Do you think this will adversely effect my job hunt?
Also for any UK-ers which recruitment agencies or websites did you find most helpful in arranging a contract?
Thanks for any advice/info.
Laura |
It could do, but there are many overweight Westerners already working in Korea because the demand is so high. They may prefer slim people, but an overweight person is generally better than no-one at all (in their eyes).
I'd recommend a public school over a hagwon. Also, if you haven't already, you'll need to develop a thick skin - Koreans have no shame about commenting on your appearance. Fortunately for me (in Korea), I'm not overweight, but even if I don't shave for a few days, they notice it immediately. |
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TheBrain
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Acme Lab
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:04 am Post subject: |
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I don't think being overweight would adversely affect your employment opportunities as long as you are honest about it up front. Don't do what some do- "borrow" a pic of a thin person from myspace and use that as the photo.
You will get stares from Koreans on the streets. All of us get stares, but some get more than others. Oh, and Korean men get a little nuts over women with more than an "A" cup. Korean women have told me stories... |
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sheba
Joined: 16 May 2005
Location: Here there and everywhere!
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:20 am Post subject: |
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I am also overweight and have been living in Korea for 2 years now. I will always remember my first day.... "You're very pretty, but you are fat." I mean what do you say to that!!?? I had been told that it would probably happen so it didnt affect me so much and I just laughed it off. Koreans tend to just tell it how it is, they dont prance around the truth trying to save bad feelings..... My kids have been pretty good, I do get the odd comment but usually they arent being disrespectful, just quite matter-of-factly. I never had any problems getting a job though, I turned down 4 jobs before accepting this position. Take your time to find the right job, there are a lot more available than there are teachers to fill them! Also being bigger, make sure you bring lots of clothes, big sizes arent readily available. There are a few shops in Seoul, and a lot of clothes online, but youll need a Korean friend to order for you - and it may take a little while to get into Korean fashion!!
Anyway, hope this helps and if you have any more questions feel free to send a message. |
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blondieLass
Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Location: Yongin, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:23 am Post subject: |
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No, will definitely be using my photo (and not one from five years ago either )
Pretty used to being stared at sometimes here (not that I'm that Guiness Book of records fat...) and it doesn't bother me and atleast I can put it down to being western over there!
For the recommendation about public schools will I need a TEFL qualification for that? |
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xtchr
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:36 am Post subject: |
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| blondieLass wrote: |
For the recommendation about public schools will I need a TEFL qualification for that? |
No, you don't 'need' a TEFL qualification, but if you have one you will most likely be paid more per month, so I'd recommend doing one for that reason alone. Plus it might even give you some clue as to what is going on (or should be) in the classroom - bonus!
But it doesn't have to be super lengthy or expensive or from a prestigious place; some Govt schemes in Korea, i.e EPIK etc, accept online courses, but you must prove how many hours it was, minimum is usually 120 hours (I think). |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:37 am Post subject: |
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| blondieLass wrote: |
No, will definitely be using my photo (and not one from five years ago either )
Pretty used to being stared at sometimes here (not that I'm that Guiness Book of records fat...) and it doesn't bother me and atleast I can put it down to being western over there!
For the recommendation about public schools will I need a TEFL qualification for that? |
Ah, don't put it down to being Western - the last thing we need is people feeding to the imagination of Koreans that all Westerners are fat! It helps aid their feeling of superiority.
You don't need a TEFL qualification for a public school job. You need the same as you would for a hagwon job - a degree. |
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claireyfreak1983
Joined: 23 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 8:47 am Post subject: |
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Blondie lass,
how are you going about getting a job?
I am kinda confused by the whole process to be honest!
I thought everyone used a recruiter, but it doesn't seem that way!
Clairey |
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