Job Discussion Forums

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

Hi everyone:

I recently relocated to Ulsan, S.Korea from North America (P.E.I.). I don't like my job which entails being slavedriven with 10-11 classes during an eight hour stretch, with unfriendly native staff and anunappreciative owner/director.
I had a general idea of what I was getting into when coming over, but the desperation back home won and got me on the plane and over here Smile

I've did only a little bit of exploring around the city of Ulsan, and let me tell you, it's pretty dry. The expat community seems rather intent on drinking away the pain, and I can see their point, but I don't want to become one of them. It's so early on yet for me here (one month) that I can get out of Ulsan and in Japan with sanity intact and into a better job.
The one good thing about Ulsan is that on a map it is "just across the pond" from Japan. My priority right now is to quickly get hired as an educator without having to go to Japan first. Please, what is the most efficient way of getting hired, ie., what employers will take someone with limited teaching experience and English undergrad.?

Thanks in advance

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Your best bet is to leave the horrible situation and come over to Japan and search for a job. Luckily, this is the best time of year to find one.

Mark · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 500 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I think you'll have to come here. Some companies hire abroad, but they have recruiting offices set up in English-speaking countries. I don't think any of them would be able to interview you in Korea. An international chain, like Berlitz, might be a possibility. I believe that Berlitz Japan and Berlitz Korea are under the same management, so they might be able to interview you in Korea for a job in Japan, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Your best option is to apply for jobs and then give employers a time frame of when you'll be in Japan. Come over for a week and do a bunch of interviews. You'll probably get something.

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

A couple of years ago, I was able to get a job offer from a Japanese language school (NES) while still back home, but the offer didn't come with the best conditions. I posted the contract on a forum and it was generally viewed as being bad. Maybe I should have taken it as a foot in the door...
What kind of money and time frame am I looking at to find work over there? I am *supposed* to be paid for my services with my current employer this week (approx. two grand - US).

Seeker of truth · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 146

SpedEd,
Although I don't know your whole situation, I remember what a recruiter told us at a seminar about teaching ESL in Japan several years ago.

Interestingly enough, she gave us several reasons why we shouldn't pursue the job. One was if we were hoping to escape some personal problem. She said whatever problem people are trying to escape from at home invariably seems to manifest itself once they come over to Japan. That problem plus all of the cross-cultural differences would always exacerbate the situation.

You mentioned problems at home, and now in Korea. Are you sure you won't have a similar problem in Japan as well? Just curious.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai