Korean Job Discussion Forums

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

My mother has a friend that used to teach English in Korea, and I met with him the other day to pick his brain about finding work as a private tutor in Seoul. He explained that for the most part, he worked with a broker who would send him out on jobs to teach English to the employees of companies such as Samsung and LG. He also worked with some of the Korean TV networks. He claims that he worked 25-30 hours a week and earned about 4 million won a month. Anyway, this person has offered to hook me up with his old broker when I arrive in Seoul next month. Has anyone else worked with this type of broker before? If so, how was your experience?

Thanks!

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Sounds illegal. What kind of visa will you have?

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

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

"Unless you are Korean citizen or have an F2-1 / F4 visa it is ILLEGAL."

Fyi, I will have an F-4 visa, so it will not be illegal for me to work with a broker.

"If you are a Korean citizen or have an F2-1 / F4 visa you need to obtain a permit from the local education office to work as a private teacher or it is still illegal."

I'm sure that obtaining a permit form the local education office will not be a problem.

"If you do NOT have a degree it is illegal."

I have a B.A. from UCLA.

"As a foreigner you will be subject to fines, detention and possible deportation (depending on your visa class)."

Again, this does not apply to me.

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

So, now that it's been determined that I'll be able to legally work with a broker who can get me teaching jobs at various Korean businesses, is there anyone here that has worked with a similar type of broker?

Thanks!

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Yes, they are all crooks.

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

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

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

To answer the question. Any job at Samsung, LG et al. is great to have. They usually pay 100 000 Won and up. Most middlemen worth their salt will be able to get you at least 80 000/hour and they will keep whatever the rest is. Your middleman may be able to get some half day or full time work at these companies and that is really, really good pay too. If you were working 25-30 hours per week at the big companies you should be making close to 8 million won/month, not 4 million. If you are going to some of the lesser companies in Korea the pay is not as good, but still worthwhile doing. The pay for 25-30 hours per/week would be aboout 4-5 million/month. Just remember don't take the first offer of 50 000won/hour. Those big companies pay a heck of a lot more than that. The middleman tends to try to keep over 50% for introducing you. A figure around 20-30% is a little more reasonable in my experience. I hope that somewhat answers your questions.

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

ttompatz,

"If you had given more information in your original post then we wouldn't be wasting time giving you information you either have or don't want"

Kindly get over yourself. No one asked you to waste your time responding to a question that you obviously feel doesn't deserve an answer. So in the future, I suggest that you simply not respond to any posts that you deem unworthy of an answer. Thanks.

"...and reading your snarky replies as a result."

One snarky reply deserves another.

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

Ozabout7or8 · Joined: 04 May 2007 Location: NZ

I also think Tompatz's reply was not warranted and also a bit incorrect. Brokers exist in many industries from finance to employment, from stockbrokers to car dealers...why? Because they fill an information gap that exists between the buyer and the seller of the product.

Brokers do the legwork for BOTH the buyer and seller of a good or service and therefore demand a margin for ther work.

I think it is silly to suggest a newbie to Korea could build up the sort of connections and do the legwork required to do better than he could than working for a good broker. Later on maybe after getting a good knowlege of where the jobs are and how to get them, but not early on.

So Freak is on the right track and good luck to ya.

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

People answer posts out of the goodness of their hearts, freaka. No one here is obliged to say anything to you.

Your original OP was short and vague, so in trying to help you, others needed more information by asking you questions.

I do believe that if you had given more details to begin with, Ttom and others would be able to help you right away.

The least you can do, when people are trying to help, is to be gracious about it...