Korean Job Discussion Forums

[True Samurai]

Hi,

I am a veteran ESL teacher who has worked mainly in Japan and Indonesia, among other places. I have just started perusing Dave's Korean Forum and am astonished at how much more dynamic the Korean job scene is as compared to the Japanese.

If anyone would be so kind as to provide answers to the following questions:

1. Is age a factor? I am 46, and will be 47 in August. Will my, erm, advanced age limit my attractiveness to potential employers?
2. Transcripts? Yikes! I did pretty well academically at my college but I think the place is the crater of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs now. If I wrote and asked for my transcripts they'd probably have to do some digging, and even more probably want to charge me for it. I see that a lot of Korean schools want transcripts. Are there many that don't? Is is really that important to them?
3.I would have trouble coming up with an original scan of my diploma for the same reasons listed above. Can I slip by without it?
4. Some schools even want your criminal record, or the lack there of. If I have no criminal record and I don't as I'm much to clever to get caught at anything, would any police department even have a file on me? And isn't it a bit insulting that these schools would even ask? Why don't they show us their police records?

In short, I'm a little short on documentation and long in actual experience and stand-up-edness.

5. Can I get a job in Korea, while I reside in Indonesia, merely on my charming smile and word of honor s a true samurai?

I know they don't like samurai in Korea, nut I was going to keep that part a secrtet until I learn the Korean equivalent term.

P.S. No, of course, that's not me in the avatar!

[NeonRain]

I'm not sure about the age thing, I'm pretty new here, but having just gone through the whole process myself I can tell you what I found about the rest.
The transcripts, diploma and the police clearance get submitted to immigration to get your initial visa and then your teaching visa. So from what I gather they are not what is needed to get the actual job with the school, they are needed in order to get your E-2 visa and they seem to be quite strict about it.
Even if you don't have a criminal record you should be able to get something called a police clearance certificate saying that you don't have any dirt behind your name. I'm from South Africa and thats what its called for us but I assume there would be soemthing the same wherever you come from.

[stevenisi]

Transcripts and original diploma mandatory. There's no way around it.

[freshking]

The transcript and degree are requirements for the immigration office. So, no I don't know of any way of getting around providing those documents if you want a legit job with an E-2 visa. The requirements for immigration have gotten more strict in the last year and a half or so.
I know that some hagwons look for younger, inexperienced folk who have lots of energy and are more likely to be able to be pushed around a bit. But, there are plenty of teachers in their 40's and beyond working here, and it sounds like you have plenty of experience, which could land you a job in a uni. Those jobs are a little harder to come by from out of country though. A lot of the universities are going to want to meet you in person for an interview. The bottom line is if you can get the documents together you will have no problem finding a job here.

[Smee]

Some would tell you that "samurai" comes from Korean anyway.

The diploma and transcripts are necessary for a visa, from what I understand. Do some digging back home, because you'll need them.

[makemischief]

1. Is age a factor?
Yes and no... Age will be an issue with some schools (as is race/attractiveness/etc very unfortunately) BUT the demand is more than high enough that if you keep looking you WILL rather quickly find something, but just how quickly you do will depend on what type of job you are looking for.

2. Transcripts? The school doesn't need this- however immigration will. No transcripts/no visa. I've know some people in your situation who got "faux" transcripts on the net (they had graduated but either their Uni had vanished-really- or some other reason)- but I strongly recommend against that if at all possible- as if you got caught- well, ciao.


3. Same as above- No real diploma, no visa.

4. Criminal record? Some schools ask. Most don't. With many countries you can now order one on-line. It's annoying, but not a very frequent request (in my experience) and manageable.


5. Job from abroad? Yes you can (as long as you have those documents)... but in my opinion it is worth coming over here first to check the school out in person- you'll get a better deal that way, and also more offers on the whole.

Good luck!

[Ya-ta Boy]

[mnhnhyouh]

The director of the Hagwon I work for does not hire young recent graduates anymore, he prefers age and experience. He is 32. I am, however, the oldest at 42.

h

[andrew]

.....

[caniff]

I'm not sure about the other stuff, but an inability to grammatically figure out a thread title might give an indication that you're in the wrong field.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[caniff]

[billybrobby]

[caniff]

Bravo!! Bravo Your Life!!

[Ya-ta Boy]