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Teaching positions in Seoul

 
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rayabk



Joined: 02 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:13 pm    Post subject: Teaching positions in Seoul Reply with quote

I have been in Seoul now for 1 week and I am finding it difficult to secure an interview let alone a job.

I have all the usual criteria - degree, TESOL and 1 year teaching experience in Thailand. Most of the jobs I applied for are on this site.
What is the problem? I think it is one or both of these two:

1 - I am 44 years old.
2 - I have my wife and baby with me thus making housing an issue.

Any input would be appreciated.
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Unposter



Joined: 04 Jun 2006

PostPosted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As housing can be expensive, especially in Seou, this could definately be an issue.

If it were me, I would not mention this issue until you get the interview.

Also, I would just walk into places and start talking to them. They may not have the time, interest or English ability to read anything you send them.

If you are directly talking to employers, that is an interview in Korea. Either these places don't have openings or you are doing something to put them off.
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cazador83



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

why would there be a housing issue? i mean, most teachers get studio apartments, and i would imagine that would still be alright for a married couple and a baby, right? or maybe not, i've never had a kid!
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rayabk



Joined: 02 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:39 am    Post subject: FAO: Unposter & cazador83 Reply with quote

Unposter - As I said I am getting most of the vacancies for jobs on this site and they all seem to be agencies. However I will take your advice onboard about the bread knife and rug rat.

Cazador83 - The housing is a major issue as 3 people could not possibly live in a studio the size of a wardrobe(from what I have seen) without going insane.
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OP: Use a good recruiter like WorkNPlay or Footprints. About housing, you may have to take a housing allowance and foot some of the bill for a bigger place. Can your wife teach? If so, you can put your housing allowances together.

When do you want to start working? Public school jobs start again in late February and they don't discriminate on age or marital status, at least the ones in Seoul don't.
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irwinpryce



Joined: 30 Apr 2007

PostPosted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sorry to gatecrash on this thread, i am currently applying to work in South Korea. I am mid application for several agencies.

Background- Teaching experience and degree.

They ask for preferences as to where you want to be placed, i personally want to work in Seoul. Is it difficult to get work there. Say if i was to apply to work in Japan with one of the now big 3, saying I wanted Tokyo would be a stupid move because everyone wants to work there.

Furthermore, is now a bad time to apply, and are the South Korean agencies choosey.

Thanks
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

irwinpryce wrote:
sorry to gatecrash on this thread, i am currently applying to work in South Korea. I am mid application for several agencies.

Background- Teaching experience and degree.

They ask for preferences as to where you want to be placed, i personally want to work in Seoul. Is it difficult to get work there. Say if i was to apply to work in Japan with one of the now big 3, saying I wanted Tokyo would be a stupid move because everyone wants to work there.

Furthermore, is now a bad time to apply, and are the South Korean agencies choosey.

Thanks


Problems:

1. Korea is not Japan and the way the systems are run are different.

2. You are listening to recruiters. They will place you in the worst spots if you accept that job, just so they can collect easy money.

3. South Korean agencies aren't "choosy." Public schools are, though, sometimes, and now is the wrong time to apply for public school jobs in Seoul. They still don't fill their quota.
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slashnunn



Joined: 11 Jun 2007

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[/quote]3. South Korean agencies aren't "choosy." Public schools are, though, sometimes, and now is the wrong time to apply for public school jobs in Seoul. They still don't fill their quota.[/quote]

Do you know when the Seoul public schools will begin hiring teachers for March?
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Lostone7



Joined: 08 Jun 2006
Location: SE Asia

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

slashnunn wrote:
3. South Korean agencies aren't "choosy." Public schools are, though, sometimes, and now is the wrong time to apply for public school jobs in Seoul. They still don't fill their quota.[/quote]

Do you know when the Seoul public schools will begin hiring teachers for March?[/quote]

Feb. After winter vacation and all of the current teachers tell them if they will be staying or going.

BUT, if you go Epik you have no idea were you will get placed Shocked

SMOE hires directly...................
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lostone7 wrote:
slashnunn wrote:
3. South Korean agencies aren't "choosy." Public schools are, though, sometimes, and now is the wrong time to apply for public school jobs in Seoul. They still don't fill their quota.


Do you know when the Seoul public schools will begin hiring teachers for March?[/quote]

Feb. After winter vacation and all of the current teachers tell them if they will be staying or going.

BUT, if you go Epik you have no idea were you will get placed Shocked

SMOE hires directly...................[/quote]

To clear things up:

1. The SMOE orientation starts in late February, but hiring begins in December and January through their website or their contracted recruiters, like Footprints and WorkNPlay.

2. SMOE hires directly? Well, sort of. SMOE hires directly and through recruiters (who then pass qualified teachers directly to SMOE). You will be in Seoul, but if you think you will know which school or what area of Seoul you are going to be placed in, you have a surprise awaiting for you!
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Lostone7



Joined: 08 Jun 2006
Location: SE Asia

PostPosted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks Bibbitybop for clearing that up Very Happy
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