Korean Job Discussion Forums

[japanguy]

I am presently living in Japan (outskirts of Tokyo) and I teach at a high school and also do evening / weekend work for another company. I make excellent money and I enjoy life in Japan. In Japan, I have been lucky and also fortunate. I have only been here a total of 15 months this time around and another 12 months 4 years back. Despite not having being here that long, I have been able to land some really good teaching positions and I currently have an income that most teachers would kill for.

Based on simple economics, it seems reasonable to say that with all things being equal, one could likely make a better living in Seoul than in Tokyo. While the cost of living in Seoul is tremendously lower than that of Tokyo, the basic salaries do not differ nearly as much. The other very appealing thing for me is that after visiting Seoul a couple of months ago, I found it very interesting, exciting, and in many ways similar to Tokyo.

I am making another trip to Seoul next week for a one-week vacation. Before leaving Japan, I was hoping to send out some resumes and possibly line up a couple of interviews if possible while I am there. Primarily, I am interested in university teaching positions as well as Business English, and TOEFL / TOEIC type teaching.

If any of you could advise me as to what are the best sources in terms of job searching in these areas in Korea (Seoul in particular) it would be greatly appreciated. Websites, newspapers while in Seoul or online, special publications etc... As far as this type of thing goes in Japan, I am very up-to-date. As far as Korea goes, I am a complete novice. Your help is really appreciated.

Thanks, japanguy.

[wylde]

how much cash ya earn in japan bro?

[japanguy]

I usually gross between 620,000 and 680,000 yen a month. I net about 90% of it (maybe a bit more) after taxes.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[J.B. Clamence]

I agree with UrbanMyth. You would most likely end up making about a third of what you are now, and any extra work you try to take on would be illegal. Money isn't everything, but I just wanted to make sure that you understood that coming to Korea would entail a huge paycut for you. Sure, living is cheaper here, but not so cheap as to make it worthwhile giving up 400,000 Yen a month.

But if you are willing to take the cut, check out Dave's ad listings. There's a whole separate page available just for Korean jobs. This is the season for lining up a university job (semester starts in March).

[Derrek]

If you have a good gig in Japan, by all means STAY in Japan.

Korea is hit-and-miss at best. And Japan is a lot more fun, I hear.

[japanguy]

Thanks for your replies. I am aware of the fact that in Korea the visa situation is MUCH better for the employer as opposed to the employee, unlike Japan. In fact, I have been lucky here too in that I was able to return to work in Japan -- at a new job and after a 2 year hiatus -- on the same visa I had renewed in the spring of 2000! I just had that 3-year visa renewed in March for another 3. I am also aware of the fact that the salaries are lower as well as the cost of living. However, it seems to me that in South Korea, if I could realistically earn 3-4 million won a month, it would carry one much further than 5-6.8 hundred thousand yen does in Tokyo. ESPECIALLY if accommodations were paid for by an employer.

Yes, the visa situation is quite sticky as far as Korea goes. Don't get me wrong, I certainly would not leave my situation here -- just give it up and leave -- without something firm and good in place in Seoul. It is just that as March approaches, I am nearing the end of my f/t high school job and I am likely to drop it and take on some other positions instead. If I work hard as I have, it will probably keep my income similar to what I earn now. There is a possibility that my income could drop some, at least for a while. However, by making a move, it will allow me more free time because now I have too much commuting and not enough free time.

Even if I went to work in Seoul this March -- and things didn't work out -- I would still have 2 remaining years on my Japan work visa and I could put it to good use fairly quickly if I returned.

So I really need some assistance with resources. I am aware of Dave's listings on this Cafe. I am wondering if there are any other / better websites -- particularly for university / college, TOEFL / TOEIC, and Business English positions. If you'd like to email me privately, please do so to: [email protected]. Other wise your posts are appreciated.

[Mosley]

With that salary, even in Tokyo, it seems clear you'd be bonkers to move to Seoul. The only thing you don't have going for you, it seems, is free time. You must be pooped!

[Kalhoun]

You must be in an interesting spot. Do note that getting a uni. gig in Seoul isn't so easy. Landing one outside of Seoul might be a little easier. (They are interviewing and hiring at this time- not the best time to be applying, though you may get lucky.)

One rule of thumb that has emerged concerning money is that- if you enjoy spending money, going out and having fun, then Seoul is good. If you're good at saving money and don't go out much, don't spend much, then Tokyo is good.

I'm wondering, with the Yen's "slight" devaluation, might this be changing? Just wondering. anyway, all the best to you.

Kalhoun

[japanguy]

Kalhoun made a really good point about money as far as saving or spending go. Korea is a great place if you like to spend and Japan is a great place to earn. Too bad you can't live in Korea and work in Japan at the same time! It's like Canadians who work in the northern U.S. but live just over the border in Canada. They spend most of their U.S. earnings in Canada (ie) rent / property, vehicles, groceries, etc... However, they still have to pay Canadian taxes. You see, it isn't that bad for those athletes who play for Canadian pro sports teams. They live in Canada but get paid in U.S. funds... While their taxes are much higher, they are still spending A LOT less than they would if they were in a big U.S. city.

[Mashimaro]

[japanguy]

I would say lucky is being in the right place at the right time while fortunate is having an MA degree and some good knowledge of the system here. Lucky is getting many different jobs offers and fortunate is being able to get good jobs out of those offers. Does that make sense?

[bibimbap]

it is not reasonable by any stretch of the imagination that you will be making 4 million won a month on teaching gigs in your first month in korea - no matter how much experience you have elsewhere.

there is currently a discussion elsewhere on this forum about how many hagwon principles prefer teachers with NO experience, because they are much easier to exploit.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Juggertha]

honestly, I can count on one hand the number of pp i know here that make that amount of money in Korea. ALL of them have been here for years. Often its not what you know but rather who you know.. or just how good lookin' you are