Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tukkong]

I agree that being in Korea is a significant advantage. I am in a somewhat similar situation to the one you are in.

I taught in Korea for five and a half years before coming back to Australia, in mid 2001. My last two years, in Korea, were spent at a computer college. Before that I concentrated on teaching businesspeople. I am now looking at going back to Korea. Due to my teaching and training experiences, I have concentrated on applying for university positions that specialise in business English, or require business knowledge. Despite a Bachelor of Business, Master of International Business and a number of training qualifications, I have had no luck with these jobs. The most feedback I have received was from one university that informed me that I did not get an interview because I was not in Korea. There must be a lot of business graduates in Korea.

The interesting thing is that, last year, I was offered a job with a chaebol after one phone interview. I couldn't accept if because my Australian university was busy jerking me around with paperwork. As a result, I am quite sure that that particular chaebol will not consider me in the future.

Unfortunately, many universities do not state this in their job ads. Also, when an international phone number is stated it is more confusing. I always took it as location not being an issue. In one case, I found that I could not get a response from the foreigner who was listed as the contact person.

Being in Japan, you will understand the importance of personal contacts. However, don't place too much importance on this issue. I got my college job simply by applying to an ad.

Having a hubby can go either way. Generally, I think it might be viewed as a good thing - they will think you are more settled. Of course, housing might be an issue.

Your appearance will be a disadvantage.

Otherwise, as others have said, not being in Korea is the biggest hurdle.

[Zed]

Perhaps I missed something here. The unis hire for March and September, right? But when do they actually do the hiring? Do they hire for March starts in January, Christmas, or does this carry on throughout February? What about for September starts?

[the_beaver]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

My uni hired in October to start in March. The Sept. hiring is usually much smaller, it's just the start of term 2. In fact, we had people quit this June and they will not replace them until next March. Oh well, job security for me.

[Tiger Beer]

[Tiger Beer]

[SuperHero]

[PRagic]

I have to ask about this SWELL program. Strictly from a management perspecitve, how do you go about creating a program like that that attracts seemingly highly dedicated instructors. More importantly, how do you sucker these people into making less money than they could at other places, while working more contact hours than they normally would at other places? That is magic. Simply amazing.

To the O.P.: It's getting easier and easier to get university jobs here in Korea. The problem is that there aren't many jobs people really want over the long term. The salaries are going down, the contact hours are going up, and to boot, they are dropping the necessary qualifications for application. Have B.A.? You're in. Your Master's will look great. If you are of Korean ancestry, apply for your F-series visa and come on over.

[the_beaver]

[Tiger Beer]

[cdninkorea]

If I apply at universities that haven't advertised (yet?), who does one address their cover letter to? Just "To whom it may concern"?

[Tiger Beer]

[dminn]

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess it's been about five years since the original post. My apologies for not coming back for so long. I'm trying to recall what happened. I visited Seoul, had a good time with friends and relatives, but I didn't get a positive vibe about working there. I focused my energy on Japan. If I was single, I might have tried to work up the hagwon, part-time, uni. ladder in Korea. Anyway, I found a good uni job in Japan half a year after my first post. Maybe someday I'll try again.

Thanks again!

[MoonArisa]

Bringing this back to life, a few years later again

Although visiting the universities is recommended, from what I read, is it feasible to obtain a university job if applying from abroad?

This said, does one also need to add the portfolio if sending things by e-mail (may fill their inboxes)?

And though it was said that one does not need experience in teaching nor anything more than a BA to obtain a university job, how does one go upon applying as they would not have the knowledge/background to build such a portfolio?

Any other pointers/suggestions? Thank you in advance!

[PatrickGHBusan]