Korean Job Discussion Forums

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:21 am Post subject:

It could be that they are screwing the teacher you are to replace by letting him/her go in his/her 12th month! So they need a teacher now. I don't buy training being the reason for an earlier start date as hagwons rarely conduct training. This is bait and switch. Don't go! Get a new job! Don't trust any hagwon or director for a minute. Many come off as good people running good schools, but often are fraudsters who only deceive parents, students, and teachers.

While violent crime is almost nonexistent in Korea, white collar crime is all too common. I can't count how many times I have had to correct my school director on money matters. She will try me to the end and probably will still send me packing with less money than is owed.

Korea sparkling at it's best.

ModernDayDrifter · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC USA

I have started my search for another school. I have yet to hear from the recruiter since I replied back to his, we need you here by Jan 2nd message. So we will see what happens.

I am sad that I have to wait 90 days now to find another job. Are there a fair a number of good public school jobs still around? After this ordeal with the private institue, I am leaning towards public schools...

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

Yes, there are plenty of public school jobs if you can muster the application documents and get the visa issuance. It should be no problem getting the necessary drug test outside of Korea which presents a big problem for me right now as I am still in Korea teaching for a hagwon and trying to get a public school position. I just about give up on it as there are many other ways to make $30,000 USD per year. Yes, it requires a drug test to land a public school job and then another drug test after you arrive to get your alien resident card or face deportation. The problem is that it's difficult to get drug testing for marijuana smoking in Korea though some say they found it in Seoul and Incheon. Most Koreans don't know what marijuana is and available drug tests only test for amphetamines while the Korean ministry of justice requires a cannabis test. This is a new law that went into effect 2 weeks ago.

Good luck to you.

ModernDayDrifter · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC USA

Thanks sojourner1 for the well wishes!

I did not have to submit all the new requirements this past time. But I had already sent off my fingerprints to the FBI for the background check just in case. So I have all the documents ready to be sent off whenever I find a new school.

I am just discouraged/ frusterated at this point. I know that it is the middle of the night in South Korea right now, where as it is during normal business hrs here in the US. I guess I expected to hear back from the recruiter yesterday before the end of business. I am just a bit stressed in approaching the situation with him, as well as my current work situation here in the states. I am just worried about the 90 wait now if I do not go with the current school. I do not know what to say to my recruiter to get out of this current contract. But, I do not want to get to the current school, it turn out to be horrible, and then have to wait a year to teach in Korea, ya know..

Ugh... lol..

lastat06513 · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:51 am Post subject:

If you don't use the VIN (visa issuance number), it is not held against you because you didn't utilize it to get your visa. So, if another school contacts you and the both of you agree to the conditions under which you will be hired, you will be issued another VIN in which you will get your visa.

Also, try your best to get hired by the school itself- recruiters in Korea are very notorious for lying to get people there.

Eslcafe is a good place to look for jobs, but you can also look for them at:

www.eslteachersboard.com
www.myenglishjob.com
www.englishspectrum.com

They also have good listings for jobs and depending on your qualifications, a good school should be able to pick you up easily.

Don't get frustrated with the situation and it is you who control your job search, not them.

Remember that and you'll be ok.

ModernDayDrifter · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC USA

expat2001 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Boodleheimer · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject:

lastat06513 · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

It is true, but there is always a way around the wait period-

1. If you find another school that really wants you, there will work their way around you getting another VIN.

or

2. Wait it out, yet in the meantime look for a better place that will accomodate YOUR arrival time, not the schools. As for getting a P.S. job, they mostly hire during a set time in the year and you do have to be there for orientation and training. You should consult the EPIK site for more info.

ModernDayDrifter · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC USA

Scarlet13 · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Changwon

regicide · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Location: United States

soju pizza · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

MODS! Make this a sticky!

ModernDayDrifter · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC USA

MarionG · Joined: 14 Sep 2006

Don't send your stuff to the embassy OR the recruiter. Wait for another job. ttompatz IS the one who really knows about the 90 day rule, but my understanding (but I'm not as well informed as tt) is that if you never "activate" the visa, it dies a natural death, or rather, it never came into being. And the only way to "activate" it is for the Korean embassy closest to you and have it put in your passport.

But again, doublecheck with ttompatz