Korean Job Discussion Forums

cirval · Joined: 27 Dec 2010

My girlfriend and I were looking to come back and teach another year in Korea, but the situation has become a bit of a headache. I was able to get a job very quickly in Seoul, but my girlfriend's situation has been entirely different. We both knew that it would be more difficult for her to get a job because of her skin color, but we didn't expect it to be this bad. She has been incredibly flexible about jobs (basically she just wants to be able to commute to Seoul) but she hasn't had any luck. She has sent dozens of recruiters (possibly 100s?) emails and 2 months in she is still without a job offer.

Basically, I'm just wondering if anyone has some advice on how she (we) should go about this. It really seems like the traditional methods aren't working. She's qualified, has experience, a degree in English, and is a good interviewer, but it just hasn't translated.

Does anyone have any advice about what steps she should take next, if she really wants a teaching position.

Thanks

cheolsu · Joined: 16 Jan 2009

I'm of a South Asian background, though I think I fall onto the lighter-skinned side of South Asians, which might make a difference. It wasn't easy getting a job at first, and it's very hard to make the initial cut with schools, but I always do well in interviews because I present myself well and because I speak Korean at a high level (often better than the English of the person doing the interview), which makes me easy to hire.

The hardest part for me has been every step of the way prior to an in-person interview. Telephone interviews don't work for me and though I apply for jobs with an airbrushed picture of me in a suit, I typically only get two kinds of interviews and job offers, the really good ones or the really bad ones.

If she hasn't gotten an interview, she sadly just has to keep trying. Public schools are not only better places to work, they're somewhat less prejudicial in that they hire those of different backgrounds. I worked at a private elementary school where a majority of the teachers were non-white. Those schools are out there, you just have to keep looking. Beyond that, my advice would be to make sure that she's applying with a professional-looking photo.

FastForward · Joined: 04 Jul 2011

She hasn't received any job offers or interviews, even after responding to 100's of recruiters? I've worked with two girls that were African American and have seen many in the area. It was within commuting distance of Seoul. Maybe they lucked out, because they did not have a degree in English and one had very little experience. Is she a lot older than you? Maybe it is an age thing as well?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Patience and perseverance.

Some photos of her in a classroom / school / working with kids / play setting would also help.

.

cirval · Joined: 27 Dec 2010

She is 30, so that could be a small issue. She was here before and got a job without too much difficulty. It just seems like the job market isn't what it used to be and when there is a white person and a black person trying get a position, the white one always gets it.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

lemak · Joined: 02 Jan 2011

ECC in Pyeongtaek was one school I know of that preferred to hire black westerners over whites. I knew of a few Brit Indian guys and a couple of African Americans working there. Alas upon talking with most of these guys it didn't seem it was about noble concepts like equal opportunity or not seeing skin color as a detriment to teaching ability, rather as a method for her to pay a few hundred k won a month less in salaries to "less desirable" teachers.
If you're really desperate anyhow Pyeongtaek is only an hour or so south on the train line. Try the facebook page for the city and ask around. You'll likely be able to get the contact details for someone currently working there.

(*Bear in mind this was as of 2009 or so. Not sure if the somewhat flooded market has meant they can be a little more picky with their hiring selections these days*)

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

She could try answering job offers directly if she hasn't already. I'm sure she'll get something eventually.

But, if you're in a hurry to get jobs, you might want to consider expanding your search outside of Seoul for both of you. It's not as if we're in the '80s or '90s. Provincial towns aren't so, well, provincial anymore.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

Youve got a job so the two of u should just come over. Then when she os here she should look for a job. This will improve her chances and the quality of the job.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Contact Star Teachers, they've always been pretty color blind.

face32 · Joined: 06 Oct 2010 Location: USA

http://www.yea.or.kr/english/

yangpyeong english village. it's east of seoul. middle of nowhere. but they are the last subway stop on the teal-ish colored line. It's about an hour 45 min subway ride to seoul. Or 45 minutes on the KoRail train. They hire any race any age. It's not a hagwon though, you get new students every week. Their starting pay for most is 2.3, but since she is an education major she could get 2.4+. PM me if you want more information.