Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cwaddell]

I'm currently trying to find a decent job for my second year in Korea, and I had forgotten how gruelling the whole job search is.

Despite giving preferences and stipulations to recruiters, they insist on sending the worst jobs imaginable on a daily basis!

Does anyone have any hints? Give me a PM!

[Canadian Club]

I have no hints, but am in a similar situation. It sucks.

[Soccerstar]

Bypass your recruiter, deal directly with EPIC public schools. That's what my wife and I did. Saves tons of time, gets you a much better contract, and you don't have to deal with some of the bad recruiters that are out there. Many people come from hogwons to public schools. Few go back.

[insam]

it can be a bit of a chore, but it can be fun too and a valuable learning experience. i usually apply for two or three jobs at a time if i can find them (similar starting dates) so i can compare them side to side in a real-time interview process. if i decide against them i find another cluster and start over. i find maybe 5 or 6 decent matches per month on average. over the course of two-three months (unless by chance something great happens to coincide with my schedule) i generally can find a perfect match. just be patient and when the right thing comes along take it. many people make the mistake of trying to find a job in a matter of weeks (and thus leaving things a bit up to chance); often it takes months to find the right fit (in the 'real world' back home too). also, the best jobs tend to advertise several weeks or months in advance of the starting date. if the institution is planning ahead, it's generally a good sign. i look at it as a part-time job. this week i probably spent 15 hours in tests, interviews, writing new cover letters for each position etc. good luck.

[ttompatz]

[littlelisa]

I hate the job search too, but for different reasons. I get offers from my recruiters that look good on paper. I talk to people who work there, and things look good. I get excited that I may have found a good place. Then I get handed crappy contracts.

[eddie1983man]

[Tokki1]

[Soccerstar]

Search through Dave's, find those of us who are happy with good contracts, and pm us to ask if we know of similar jobs available. We have all been in your situation, and most of us would love to hook you up. ttompatz, Yo bum suk, and quite a few others have posted in the past that they have decent jobs.
We don't get paid to help you (I could care less about a measly $100 finders fee EPIC offers- I make that in a couple hours) so our advice would be a bit more balanced than a recruiter who has lots of schools pressuring to get them a warm white body over here.

[airmax95]

[Been There, Taught That]

I'm reading with interest. But I am not yet in Korea, still looking for a public school. My experience is 21 months in hagwons, no problems, Seoul area and Taejeon.

I like all the suggestions, and plan to follow up on them, but will I be as successful not being in Korea? I want to secure employment before I get there. The main thing is that I still want to deal with the school directly.

Plus, can anyone recommend a good school (middle to high school) in the Ilsan area? That's the city I'm shooting for.

Thanks for all the great advice I've read here.

[littlelisa]

Been There, Was your hagwon in Seoul good? I am looking for something in Seoul, and would love a good recommendation if you have one.