Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NQ]

You guys are forgetting there's more competition now, because all provincially funded middle.and and high school NET programs in Gyeonngi province have been cut as well

[Airborne9]

[newb]

[Otherside]

[NQ]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[creeper1]

[World Traveler]

[World Traveler]

[cheolsu]

On December 17, I was told that it would not be possible to renew at my current school. I ended up with four job offers in the next 24 days, two offers at public middle schools in Gyeonggi (I refused to work at elementary schools) through recruiters, one at a private middle school that I applied to after seeing their ad on that other website that's just like this one, and one at a university. I'm short, dark-skinned and, unlike the OP, I can't even say that I have a head full of hair.

The competition was tough because I was trying to replace my current job at a time when they had become very scarce, and I didn't even consider public elementary schools as an option. Most of the middle or high school jobs I found were either in small cities like Uiwang, Gapyeong or Gimpo, or they were in completely rural parts of Anseong, Yeoju or Icheon.

It's true that with my experience, I was priced out of the budgets of many schools, who only had budgets that let them pay for someone with a year or two of experience (I have four, including a year in Gyeonggi). I'm also sure that I didn't do well when my headshot (in a suit) competed against better-looking white guys and girls.

That said, even looking at public schools, my ace has always been the excellent reference I've gotten from my boss. I was told when I got my present job last year that the biggest reason I was being hired was that I got a stellar reference from my department head at the time. This year, too, interviewers at public schools mentioned the kind words my co-teachers had had to say about me.

[Otherside]

Cheolsu, except for your personal description, your post sounds like it was written by me.

I too lost my job due to the GEPIK cuts (possibly even the same day). I too refused to work elementary, and I also had an excellent reference. I also was out of the budget of a good number of schools.

I think as other posters have mentioned, there are decent jobs out there, but you need to bring a bit to the table. Unless you fall right into the target demographic (young, white, NA female), you're going to have to offer something to make them choose you. This could be anything from experience, qualifications, good references, etc. If you're offering the same thing as a 24year-old fresh grad... there's little reason to really hire you in a tight market.

[World Traveler]

[creeper1]

World Traveler - I'm mid-contract here in China. I try not to break contracts so I'm staying for the time being.

When 2014 comes I may well be heading back to Korea to take a After School position or a university position.

[recessiontime]

OP have you tried applying exclusively to rural jerbs? I won't accept the the job market is in the toilet as long as there are still jobs available there.