Korean Job Discussion Forums

[little L]

I asked a friend who has already completed a teaching abroad program in Korea about her program and how she made her decision... She said if I'm really worried about picking a good school, I could just go over there on my own to interview face-to-face and find a job. She told me she knew a few people who did this, and they managed to find really good jobs. The thought has crossed my mind before, but how risky is that? Also, couldn't I then be losing out on the free airfare/free rent part of the deal?

Sorry, I'm sure this topic has been covered a million times already...

[ttompatz]

[Tathen]

I'm on my second year, and was able to get my airfare reimbursed (went to Canada and back, got half of it reimbursed) as well as get my Japan trip completely paid for.

Like ttompatz said, there just isn't enough people. Tell them reimburse or you won't work for them, and get it on the contract as well. The amount the extra money plays against you will probably be compensated by the fact that you can start working immediately.

Keep all your ticket stubs from the plane tickets, and make sure you have all the receipts and documents you've gotten from your travel agency/airline company on hand.

~Tathen

[princess]

I came over without a job last year, got hired within a week, and the school is good, too. It's better than anything I got from abroad.

[Hotpants]

I did it for my 2nd job in Korea, but as I'd already had a few years of teaching behind me, it was quite straightforward to get hired. If you have no prior teaching or Korea experience, it's hard to say what you will find.

Unless you are Canadian, you will only have a 3 month window to get yourself a job before you leave the country and re-enter on another visa. For most, 3 months will be adequate to get any old job, but if you are picky about a position it's possible that you might end up spending a lot of money on accommodation and airfare before you secure the position you want. I nearly didn't get my new visa in the 3 month timeframe and started worrying how I was going to be able to afford to fly myself out and back in again. Allow US$1000 per month to get by securely in Korea.

Certainly, coming over January/February gives you the best chance to be hired for the new academic year. Lots of jobs going right up until (and even past) the March 1st deadline. April and May are positively dead for decent jobs.

If you don't want to take the 'risk' of coming over without a job, the government EPIK/GEPIK school program is imo the most reliable way to get in. They will hire via a phone interview to your home. Quite a lot of paperwork involved, but guaranteed conditions as stipulated in the contract await - unlike what could happen at many other a school. Spend a year or two in that program and then move on up.

Good luck!

[Capo]

you'll have no problems finding a job, idid exactly that and was knocking them back the interviews seemed more like i was interviewing them! as long as u meet the visa requirements u will be fine as already said the only down side is u pay your own air fare to korean and accomodation until yu find a job, but i does give you piece of mind so you won't land a bad position. I shopped around I'm on decent money, nice hours and small classes - no more than 6 student per class half of my classes are 1 on 1 which is cool.

[Dedalus]

I am sure this has been covered before but I did not see anything in my initial search and it is always nice to have current info...

1) It seems that people arriving to look for jobs in Taipei are often viewed with suspicion by immigration and sometimes even denied. (Do you have to arrive with an outward-bound ticket, just as in Taiwan?) Any such problems in Korea or do they turn a blind eye (to somebody, say, planning to visit Seoul for a couple of months)?

2) Where do people stay before finding a job when they do this? I know in Taiwan, cheap hostels are available. Any recommendations?

3) How to get a cell phone...I have read that in the past it has been possible to rent a cell-phone at the airport.

4) Once you're on the ground, what resources can you use to find jobs-- besides, for example, Dave's ESL? Is it a good idea to get in contact with a recruiter? I imagine I'd still be most comfortable posting a contract here for review.

Thanks

[pkang0202]

I came to Korea first, applied at GEPIK, and they would not give me anythign on my airfare here. They said, since I was already in Korea when I applied, I do not get the airfare reimbursement. straight from Wenise's mouth.

[Freakstar]

I flew here on my own dime. Interviewed at two hagwons my first week and received offers from both pretty much the following day after interviewing in person. Fact is, they need teachers.

Airfare reimbursement - probably not gonna happen. I haggled with my recruiter at my hagwon about this and he said that Corporate wouldn't budge. Then again, I ended up leaving them after a week of training and three weeks of work to take another non-hagwon job, so it was all for the best that I didn't get my airfare paid.

Housing - you should receive housing if housing comes with the regular package deal at the hagwon you end up working for. I chose the hourly option with my hagwon, so housing wasn't an issue for me. I know people that my ex-hagwon brought over from the states who were provided with three weeks stay at a hotel while they trained and secured housing for themselves - you probably won't get this perk.

Good luck, man. Lotsa opportunities here - you just have to be resourceful!