Overcoming "Hiring Bias" if you're not American, Australian, Canadian, or British

[Hypiereon]

How can you get a job teaching English if you're not from America, Australia, Canada, or Great Britain? How can you overcome the bias of a possible employer?

This is a very hard question to answer, because no matter what response I give, there are always exceptions. More often than not, schools looking for teachers are looking for a "FACE" to advertise the fact that they have foreign teachers. Foreigners will be shown off like trophies, the local paper will take pictures, the school will put the foreingers face in advertisments for the school (even long after the foreigner is gone), and there is a whole lot of milage a school gets out of having that foreign "FACE" at the school.

This is extremely difficult for someone with an Asian face to overcome, even if they are better qualified to teach English. You have to understand what it is a prospective employer is looking for, and provide the answer to their problem. You cannot go in with the attitude of "You should hire me because I'm qualified" but rather go in with the mindset that "I am am the answer to your problem of finding a qualified teacher."

The best way to do this is to get to know your potential employer and let them get to know you before their bias kicks in. A way to do this is to explain your qualifications and ask if they are looking for someone like you. If they ask to see a picture, decline to provide any more information until they are sure they are looking for someone like you - in other words, get them to admit that you are at least qualified for the position.

Next, get a telephone number to call them. Ask for a phone number because you have "additional questions and would like to speak to someone over the phone if possible - e-mails are so impersonal aren't they?" Say whatever you have to in order to arrange a telephone call with the person who will choose whether or not to hire you. Don't waste your time and money calling someone who can't make a decision. The first rule of bargaining is to never accept the answer "No" from someone who can't say "Yes."

If your English ablity is fluent, native level, and has no discernable accent, this is what you are trying to show them by way of the phone call. They need to hear the sound of your voice. This will not prevent them from saying no, but if your English ability is really impressive, then it will impress. A white face is what they tend to look for first, no discernable accent second, and qualifications are what they look at third. Not a good way to do business, but I don't make the rules.

If you hit points two and three, talk in e-mails and telephone conversations about the importance of qualifications over ethnicity and see how the conversation flows. If they seem receptive, and you are talking contract details, then by all means go ahead and send your picture in at that time. If, however, they are hard to read or things are not going your way. Back off. Tell them you are not sure you are really interested in their school. Say, "it's not the contract details, but I just really need to be more confident that you need someone like me before I committ." This kind of talk will usually have them start working to persuade you to come, and once they tell you how bad they need you, it'll be real hard on their pride to back off of it - they can still manage it, but it will be hard for them to say "We don't need you" if they've just spent a few e-mails and phone calls telling you why they do.

In ALL cases, you need to disclose by way of a picture your true ethnicity and background. All this will come up eventually, and it would be rude to show up on their doorstep expecting them to take you in if you lied or never told them your true background. They really need to make an informed decision, and things will work out better for you in the end if they do.

What you really want to do is help them focus on what's really important - Qualifications and Ability - and downplay what they think is so important, such as a White face or being from a certain country.

If you're looking for places to work in, the best places to look for jobs teaching English is not in the public schools. They usually have no leeway to hire anyone other than what the job advertisment specifies. However, private companies and crash schools have the power to make decisions that are in the best interest of their company, and can change policy virtually at will. Public schools are rigid and inflexible, but private institutions can usually be persuaded to act in their own best interest when it means more money in their pocket.

Be the answer to their problem. Show them how hiring you is a better move that will help them make money in the long run. Show them how you are the solution to their search for a good qualified teacher. Don't thump your chest and whine. It's more work if you're not from the "prefered list" of countries, but it is possible if you're willing to put in the extra effort and diplomacy required.

[felini]

South Africa is also considered a native English speaking country.

[felini]

Good information there Hypiereon. Excellent points.

However I firmly believe that if you don't fit the "typical English teacher's" profile, then to have any type of real success, you need to be actively in the country applying. Employers will have a large supply of English teachers they can choose from. So if you are still in your home country, it will only make things that much more harder.

You may make excuses for yourself as to why you can't go abroad and apply directly, and if so, then you are only giving a half-baked effort. Lack of funds for an airfare, lack of time, don't know where to start, I'll do it next month etc. attitude are all just excuses.

You need to get that advantage over others! Go to the country you have researched and start cold-calling. Sending an email to an employer saying you are in the country now goes a whole lot further in finding a teaching job!

The best opportunity you can put yourself in is where a school needs a teacher TODAY! They have no choice but to accept you and then you can prove your worth!

[winterborn]

Thanks for the insightful post.

I guess the best thing would be to bring along your CV, all certs and whatever else that can serve to support your application, when you go vacationing next. I'll do just that when/if I go to Korea/Japan, probably in a couple of years' time.

[Amit_kumar]

I do not agree with you that one can teach English when he is American or Canadian. Schools only demand that you should have good knowledge of English. Yes you can say that the preference can given to American, Canadian because their first language is English.

[exported_kiwi]

OI, what about us Kiwis man, hehehehehehe.

Amit, you're wrong in what you say. With all due respect to all folks here, a white face from a native English speaking country is far preferable to any ability to speak English. As Hyperion says, we're recruiting posters and, sadly, a white face sells better than any other colour face does when it comes to native speaking abilities. This is why they ask for photos and copy of passport when you apply for a position. I agree that it's wrong to judge by race rather than ability, but this is China and things are different here.

I imagine it's similar in other Asian countries, but can't be sure because I've only worked in China.

[Tutor]

This is something new that I have come across (selecting candidates based on race).

I always have come across situatuon when Americans, British or other english speaking country candidates are given preference but this is the first time I have even heard of this based on the skin color.

I have been in America and have seen many non-white people speaking better english then white people.

[cool ice]

Yep, selecting teachers based on skin colour is a big thing in Asian countries. Schools always prefer the stereotyped white skin, blonde hair type teacher. Wrong I know.

[exported_kiwi]

Yep, sadly, a white face sells the ability to speak English far better than a coloured face would. I don't know why it is this way, but it IS the way it is!

I too know non white people who'd speak far better English than some white folk do, but here, that doesn't matter. Many times, our pictures are taken and placed on advertisements so parents and students can see that there are native English speakers working in that place. It wouldn't be anywhere near as effective if there weren't white faces on the pictures... I know it's wrong and we've basically gone through all that stuff in our collective pasts, but here, in Asia, this is the way it is sadly!

Peace y'all,

[Margy]

Yes, I know it all too well. I too am used in school advertisements all for the lure of attracting future students based on my blonde hair and fair complexion.

There is nothing you can do. You can't change this fact. If you don't like it, then best not to come abroad to teach.

The school I'm at even wanted me to stand on the side of the road and hand out tissues to passerby's. Tried this once or twice, then told the school I can't do this anymore. I like teaching English, but shouldn't be expected to start handing out tissues on the street.