Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hank the Iconoclast]

Hi guys,

I just got my F-2 visa a week ago, after getting married early this month. Anyways, I'm at a loss as to what job to do next and my current contract is running out this November. I really want to study Korean and I would like to start my masters in 2010 or perhaps sooner.

Here are the things I have been thinking about:

1. Seoul - work at hagwons part-time and perhaps some business private teaching in the morning. I suppose this is an option but I am pretty fearful of going to Seoul and working in some crap hagwon. I don't have housing in Seoul and I would want that so I could bail if need be. Also, I would have little vacation.

2. Seoul - SMOE. I could wait around for a SMOE position and then I would have my foot in the door for Seoul the following year (hagwons, after school gigs and privates). This would give me adequate vacation and time enough to study.

3. Jochiwon - I can transfer to another school within my province. It's near Daejeon and I can teach at an age level that I like and reap the benefit of living in rural Korea (allowances) while being very close to three cities (Cheonan, Cheongju and Daejeon).

4. Perhaps another major city?

I am not asking anybody to decide for me but there are a lot of posters whom I respect on here, so naturally I desire input from the oldies here. I just want to make sure that I earn enough for my wife and myself to live on with some extra so we can go on some exciting vacations.

Thanks in advance.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

Or I could extend until the winter semester ends and find some better that starts in March.

[bassexpander]

Call some recruiters and try to line up some evening elementary school program job that pays hourly. Then find something earlier that pays PT too. It could be a full public school job... might be some company courses.

[harryh]

I'm doing different part-time gigs. The travelling between jobs and no vacation are disadvantages, but overall I prefer working part-time.

On Mondays I teach Kindergarden (two locations), Tuesdays I have an after school program, Wednesdays are spent in a hagwon, Thursdays I have another after school program, and study groups in the evening, and finally on Fridays I have an after school program and adult hagwon.

I get hourly paid, I don't have a single boss to deal with, and if I don't like a job I can quit, and it won't impact my income too much.

[gteacher]

I know a few people that are doing morning kindy and then filling their afternoons with other things. They make a decent income and have no worries if they need to leave one job.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

The part-time hourly jobs are definitely an option but I would have to get my own place in Seoul first. I want to get out of relying on a school for my housing, that's not for me. It's good for the short-term but not long-term. In addition, I like vacation and traveling. If I taught part-time like that, as you said, I would never have any vacations with the wife. That would kill me. heh

I am thinking I might extend my current contract until the end of the semester and then go after Seoul come March. Another reason is that I came into my current school mid-semester and it was very disorienting for myself and the kids. So if I go to Seoul in March, that potentially leaves me with public schools (more options in SMOE), universities, part-time gigs and what ever else is out there

Thanks again guys, this thread shows me there are still some top-notch posters on Dave's.

[gteacher]

If vacation is a priority look at the afterschool programs, when you negotiate with them explain that you are saving them a ton on visa costs, hassels and headaches and that in exchange for that you would like a third week winter and summer vacation. I know of one or two people who have done this. I did something similar a few years back.

[The Hammer]

Congratulations on you marriage.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

[Tathen]

Anymore advice anyone can offer?

I'm in a very similar situation myself. I have a F2 Visa, and am going to be ending my current job which I got during my E2 days in the next month or so. With that in mind, I do have enough money to get myself an apartment no problem.

Part-time jobs were what I was thinking of doing. Or an after school program + part time job(s). I'm really anxious to go into all this with a no-nonsense attitude, and won't take any crap from anyone.

I'll be moving within a few subway stops of Children's Grand Park most likely, due to the needs of my wife. I don't know the area overly well.

Anyway, anything I should keep in mind? I hope to get a job first before our move, but get my own apartment. Also, I aim to accept no bonus, or plane ticket money from a full time job if I take one, and instead pump up my monthly wage (I don't want anything to keep me in a job in case I don't like it).

Advice is welcomed!

~Tathen

[jbpatlanta]

I don't work in Seoul, but only part time jobs is the way to go. I work kindy in the morinngs, a middle school in the afternoons, evenings are adult business English or elementary kids study groups. Sometimes I teach some businessmen in the mornings.

If you want to maximize your income and don't care about vacations try business English early morning. These usually end by 9:00. Then kindy from 10:00 - 12:00. An afterschool program 1:00 - 5:00/6:00. Followed by evening lessons: businessmen, privates, or hagwons.

If you want some vacation time avoid hagwons. I don't work at any hagwons and I get whatever vacation time I want. Just tell the kindy, businessmen, privates, etc when you will be taking vacation. In my experience everyone was ok with it as long as they knew about it in advance.

If they pitch a fit when you take a vacation, just quit and after vacation find new students.

I would recommend saving the money for your own place quickly. Once you have your own place it is much easier to quit jobs and start new jobs.

I have found that about half of my jobs are long term. Some students I have been teaching now for over 3 years. Other students have a quick turn around. Especially since I have steadily increased my rates over the last 6 months as the price of food and gas have increased.

If you go the part time route be prepared to have your actual monthly income vary a bit.

Good luck and congratulations on the marriage.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

[whatajerk]

I am also an F-2 visa holder not is Seoul searching for a job in a couple months and I have found this discussion helpful. It has nudged me into the going with the idea of getting my own apartment for my family. however im still interested in working full time at a hagwon. i like the idea mentioned about not asking for the airfare bonus and just raise up the price. If I do that, what would be the reasonable wage to ask if im paying for my own housing for six hours of work? im guessing 2.8-3.0.

[caniff]

What I did:

1. Moved to Seoul
2. Got a tutor's license
3. Registered my own business (to get a tax ID #)
4. Used recruiters to set me up with gigs teaching at companies (since I didn't have any contacts in Seoul having previously lived in Ilsan)
5. Built a good relationship with students at said companies, then convinced them to pay my company directly rather that to the recruiting agencies.

Today: no boss, no paperwork (other than sending out invoices) and interesting classes with cool, accomplished people. My schedule is somewhat disjointed at times, but the money is good.

I am also a freelance writer and editor working for a couple of publishing companies.

This process took a little while, but I'm happy I went this route. Others might prefer a regular gig at one location. To each their own.

[whatajerk]

What kind of rates are good for part time gigs at hagwons. do you charge by the hour?
and again, anybody got a good idea on what to charge for 6-7 hours of work a day at a fulltime hagwon job if you have your own apartment?