Korean Job Discussion Forums

reneemck · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: Houston

Some questions regarding hopping on a plane to Busan to look for a job in person. Is it worth it to go this route rather than through a recruiter?

How diffcult would the job search be? (Recommendations for this are welcome)
Will I be able to negotiate higher pay since the school wouldn't be paying recruiter fees and airfare?
Will the school pay for my visa run?

The pros as I see it are:
I get to choose the school, location, meet the director and see the housing as well as hopefully negotiate higher pay and have some say over the conditions I will have to live with for a year.

Any cons I have not thought of?
I can pay for the flight myself and I have a friend to stay with until I find something.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Can you pay for your flight back?

If you can manage this then I suggest coming over on your own nickel. Being here in person allows you to get a first hand look at the schools.

Also being here makes it all the easier to get hired. I'd recommend that you come over, but only if you can pay your airfare back as well. No point in getting trapped in this country due to lack of funds.

Zark · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject:

It is certainly easier to get a job in Korea - in person. And a lot of people do recommend it. If you are able to handle the language and strange address system, I would recommend it and it probably does put things in your favor a bit and if you get a chance to have a couple beers with existing staff before deciding, it can go a long way toward helping you find a decent place.

Though I have spent six years total in Korea, I still think a newbie on the ground might find it a bit too confusing to find their way around - but that's just me. Good research and a few phone calls can accomplish almost the same thing from overseas - and you get your plane ticket paid.

There will be some disagreement, but I doubt that you'll negotiate much more in terms of wages by being there.

ninenine0 · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Location: Seoul

I did this recently and found a really great job (in Seoul though)--I posted my resume on the jobs wanted board and got so many responses, but remember you don't even have to look at the ones that don't sound good to you. I would recommend being really specific because I wasn't and had to sort through a lot of stupid e-mails. Anyway I was also staying with a friend and he was really good about showing me around, so I would definitely recommend doing this since you have someone to stay with and help you get on your feet.

metasises · Joined: 31 Mar 2006

What about immigration? can you arrive with a one way ticket and no job?

lastat06513 · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

If you have a C-3 visa, yes you can come with a one-way ticket. If you come and get an entry stamp, there might be some issues....But depending on where you are from (be it the US, Canada or the UK) you can come and stay on an entry stamp from anywhere from 30 days to 6 months.

And yeah! it is the best way to find the ideal job you want.

recruiters are all selfless poghs who sell their souls to the devil for a quick buck.