Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Soju808]

I am a recent graduate with a BA degree, I lived in Korea before and I am perfectly comfortable there (I can speak Korean pretty good, and am very comfortable with Korean Culture). I also teach English as a Part-Time job as of right now.

However, I applied with numerous Korean companies and majority have not responded to me, and even the one's that did, I get weird phone interviews where they dont' really even ask me any real type of interview questions such as

Why should we hire you over the other applicants?
What do you think makes a good teacher?
How can you benefit us?

It feels like I don't even get a fairshot. Should I go back to school and get my teaching certificate? Would that help a lot? I know I am at a disadvantage also because I am Asian-American, however, English is my native language.

It is just kind of frustrating because I studied abroad in Korea and it was probably the best experience of my life, and I really want to go back.

I am not a quitter, and I am going to continue to pursue my goal of teaching English in Korea. Is there anyone on here who could offer me any advice.

Thanks

[Zaria32]

Your comments about no real interview questions are not surprising..it's the same experience that most people have...I think that the interviewers just don't know what to ask so they sometimes even ask silly questions..."are you a soccer fan?"

What do you mean by Korean companies? Do you mean recruiters?
If they aren't responding to you, it could be an Asian surname...but being Asian will only reduce the number of jobs available to you, it certainly doesn't mean you won't get one..you will. If you mean companies other than recruiters, well, don't even try.

No, a teaching credential will not help. What WILL help is a very professional looking resume, a very professional looking photo (wear a suit or sport coat, clean shaven, plain background, neat hair etc) and a not over the top self presentation...i.e. I wouldn't gush about your love for the Korean culture, nor mention that you speak Korean, unless you are asked. They want you to be FOREIGN.

Be pleasant, friendly, but not overly friendly, nor too laughy...be a bit dignified on the phone.

If you are Korean-American, then look for jobs advertized for Gyopos/Kyopos.

Be VERY familiar with the E-2 visa regulations (the new ones, went into effect 12-15) so that if asked you can explain exactly where you are in the process of getting all the necessary paperwork. If you don't know about the regulations, you can learn about them on here.

Good luck.

[moosehead]

i was asked what religon was i on an interview here - when i expressed my surprise and explained how in the u.s. it's illegal to ask such a personal question, the director then asked me if i belonged to a satanic cult??

wtf? so i don't want to talk about my religon that means i'm a satan worshiper?

i laughed it off and said "no, i'm not" and he said well then maybe the tom cruise thing? i said scientology? he said yeah that.

i said no, not that either.

so if you don't want to talk about religon youre either (1) a devil worshiper or (2) a member of a cult



why did you want to come over again?

[Soju808]

Thanks Zaria

Unfortunetly, I am not a gyopo either. I am Japanese-American (probably even worse for me, knowing the history between the two countries).

I believe that I have a good resume and a good professinal looking photo. I also had a lady who looks over resume's for a living go over my resume, and she gave me the thumbs up as well as a few of my professors.

Hmm, question about knowing how to speak Korean and loving Korean culture. Would it be better if I left it off of my resume that I can speak Korean? The hardest thing for me to do is to lie about something, especially if I am going to be hiding one of my strengths, which is foreign langauges. Actually, I just don't like lie period.

Anyways, I really thank you for the advice.. ^^

[Soju808]

[idonojacs]

moosehead:

[Zaria32]

Not mentioning that you speak Korean is NOT lying...is it lying if you don't mention on your resume that you're allergic to dogs? Or that you don't like redheads? Or than your favorite card game is Solitaire?

Say on your resume that your love of languages is something you'd like to share with Korean students, and help them love other languages as much as you do. IF asked what languages you speak, laugh softly, then say, well, English (any other languages you speak) and some Korean.

Yes, being Japanese-American (especially if your surname is clearly Japanese) is a drawback, but it won't stop you from getting a job. Get a jump on things by being able to say, on your resume, and again on the phone, that you have all the documents necessary to comply with new E-2 visa requirements.

Although hogwons hire all around the year, public schools are hiring for the start of the new school year on March 3. The new regulations mean that there's going to probably be a shortfall of teachers greater than there usually is...you'll be competitive if you are E-2 visa qualified, ie ready to get on a plane.

And DON'T jump on the first offer...compare the contract to contract guidelines posted here. If you don't do that, you may very well find that your opinion of Korea declines dramatically...

[CentralCali]