Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Junior]

[sojusucks]

Junior is right. SMOE, EPIK, and GEPIK have sent out notice to schools that they should hire inexperienced teachers because of pliability and lower salaries. In case you didn't know it, SMOE, EPIK, and GEPIK send out momos all of the time dealing with foreign teachers, and almost all of these memos deal with something negative for foreign teachers. They even send small books to schools and tell them how to "deal with foreign teachers" so that foreign teachers get the short end of the stick. You don't believe me? Ask your school about the "book" that they have for dealing with foreign teachers. Go ahead. You'll see. SMOE, EPIK, and GEPIK are not on your side.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Junior do not confuse your situation what that of others.

Thiuda is 100% correct.

There are MANY jobs for experienced teachers in Korea. The thing is, these jobs will not be found through your average recruiter Junior. No one will knock on your door and give you one of those jobs either.

You need (like thidua said) to take ownership of your situation and take actions that will improve your employability. Sitting there working entry-level hakwon positions will not do much for you by itself. Experience needs to be combined and supported by professional development, networking and a solid professional background.

I have been out of Korean ESL-TEFL for 2 years but still have numerous contacts there as I worked and lived in Korea for over a decade. The market HAS shifted due to a flood of applicants. The thing is, these applicants are typically new grads or people with no experience applying from abroad.

All this did is crog up the channels for ENTRY LEVEL JOBS. Where a few years ago these same jobs were hungry for applicants, now they have the pick of the litter. If you keep relying on these jobs in this market Junior then you are setting yourself up for failure. Any smart employer looking to fill an entry-level position in this market will take a cheaper inexperienced teacher over you. This is the very definition of ENTRY LEVEL.

Since you appear to be IN Korea, you have several advantages over overseas applicants. For Pete's sake, PUT THESE TO USE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!

How long have you been in Korea Junior? At least a few years right? In that time you will tell me you did not make a single professional contact? Come on now, professional contacts are the name of the game in any job.

If you just sat there taking entry level hakwon or PS jobs relying on the way the market worked and are now stuck as the market flooded, I am sorry but you have only yourself to blame. The solution starts with you doing something.

[David Gerrington]

[Junior]

I'm not interested in hogwon jobs. Why would I be?
I stopped working entry-level jobs years ago btw.

get off your horse homer.. You're american. Thats the only factor you have to thank for your job.

You're back at the kindie-gwon for the 15th year in a row because U know Mrs park. Thats hardly testament to your amazing "networking ability".

[T-J]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[David Gerrington]

[Junior]

things have changed alot in the past 2 years Homer. You certainly wouldn't be able to get a job in Korea nowadays. Unless you're up for a return to a crummy hogwon.

I don't think the polite platitudes of acquintances you knew years ago would make any difference. Nobody would want to pay for your qualifications or experience.

I have plenty of contacts. But the jobs are not there. They're filled by young american female grads. You don't have a rack i take it, so best stay put in Canada.

I'm getting tired of these people who've been out of Korea for years pretending to know what its like now.
You have no clue.

[T-J]

[David Gerrington]

[mm]

This is my third year here and I have never had any trouble getting a job.

And I don't know anybody else who has had trouble finding suitable employment.

The only people I hear about having difficulty getting a job are anonymous posters on this forum.

I think the lack of jobs in Korea is an idea that is greatly exaggerated.

[Waluigi]

On the earlier point of appearance... I'm guessing that's more important in Seoul, as parents are more snotty there (just the impression I've built up, feel free to shoot that theory down!).

I work in Gwangju and, honestly, there are people from all across the NET appearance spectrum working here. I have met massively fat teachers, painfully thin teachers, a LOT of black teachers, South African teachers and the rest....

The point is, if you are not a young blonde American, it might be worth giving Gwangju a try!

(by the way I know of a job going in Mokpo for a couple, starting in November. If anyone and their partner is interested, PM me)

[RMNC]

I personally support this idea that there are no jobs in Korea, there's less competition for the cushy jobs for the rest of us.