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Coming back to Korea. So... what's the smart move?
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Chet Wautlands



Joined: 11 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:28 am    Post subject: Coming back to Korea. So... what's the smart move? Reply with quote

Hey all! I'm a long time "lurker" but this is my first time posting. I've tried searching... no luck with that function as per usual. Smile

So, I'm a Canadian who taught in Korea for a year (near Busan). My contract finished at the end of August and I came back to Canada where I've been on vacation for the past month and some. Nice times. Now I'm looking to come back to Korea. I really liked my old hagwon... great boss, paid on time, free dinners, little perks, it was all good. However, I'd rather work in the Seoul area this time out.

I'm ideally looking for a job that pays standard but has a better schedule. Before I worked 3-11. I'd prefer a job that has about 6 hours a day and preferably earlier in the day so that I can take martial arts classes and such. So...

Is it better for me to fly myself out there and look around for a good position? That's certainly an option for me if it will help. Are there any good links to updated information on this? I'd be worried about doing it with the new VISA regulations.

Also, does anyone or has anyone ever had a job where they worked 6 hours a day and had no issues with pay/severance, etc?

I'm sure you've seen this a hundred times... a dude wants a job in Seoul and doesn't want to work too many hours. Any advice for that dude?

Thanks in advance guys!
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losing_touch



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:34 am    Post subject: Re: Coming back to Korea. So... what's the smart move? Reply with quote

Chet Wautlands wrote:
Also, does anyone or has anyone ever had a job where they worked 6 hours a day and had no issues with pay/severance, etc?


I haven't reached the stage where I get severance yet, but the last 3 teachers who left my academy have gotten their severance. I fully expect that I will get it too. I work for 5 hours and 20 minutes per day with two 10 minute breaks. I am there for less than 6 hours. I am in Ulsan though!
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vexed



Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Location: Daegu

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My advice would be to cast your net far and wide:

    Sign up to lots of different recruiters

    Post your resume/cv on the 'Jobs Wanted Board' here

    Go to big chain school's websites and apply direct

    Search through the multitude of job sites


Remember to persist, negotiate and don't take the first thing that comes your way. There are good deals out there, you just have to search for them.
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plynx



Joined: 03 Jun 2008

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

vexed wrote:
My advice would be to cast your net far and wide:

Go to big chain school's websites and apply direct

Search through the multitude of job sites[/list]


Remember to persist, negotiate and don't take the first thing that comes your way. There are good deals out there, you just have to search for them.


i would only agree with the last two pieces of advice. DON'T go through a recruiter - unless you're applying for the public school jobs during the hiring season. apply directly through the schools and you're the one in control. that said, you won't have trouble finding a suitable job if you do your research carefully. good luck!
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Hanson



Joined: 20 Oct 2004

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Is it better for me to fly myself out there and look around for a good position?


This would be ideal to find that great job, but you'd have to fork over your own dough to pay for the flight... You may be able to negociate getting that flight money back, but no garantees...
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Chamchiman



Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Digging the Grave

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Coming back to Korea. So... what's the smart move? Reply with quote

Chet Wautlands wrote:
Is it better for me to fly myself out there and look around for a good position? That's certainly an option for me if it will help.


I would never do it any other way.

I took my first two jobs in Korea from overseas, but I've taken my last two while on the ground here and will never do it differently again. For me there is no substitute for being able to go to the school, have a look around, meet a few teachers and get a feel for the position. That said, it's up to you to decide whether you want to fork out the money.

Also, as you mentioned yourself:

Quote:
I'd be worried about doing it with the new VISA regulations.


you'll have to be absolutely sure you've got all your document ducks in a row before coming over. Other posters might be able to help you out with what you need.

Good luck.
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Juregen



Joined: 30 May 2006

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just have all the documents ready when you come over so you don't have to go back.
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Chet Wautlands



Joined: 11 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey! Thanks for the great replies! So quick too!

Okay, so, I figure I will fly myself over. I'll probably do a bit of sight seeing. Does anyone have an updated link to what paper work I should bring over? Is it different if I've already had and E2? Surely I don't have to interview here in Canada (to get my E2). Any links?

Also, people always say to avoid the recruiter... how is this done? I look at worknplay and the ads are almost all from recruiters. Is there a secret to it? How have you guys done it? Let's hear some success stories!

I'll bring you maple syrup! Wink

Again, thanks for the quick replies.
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losing_touch



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chet Wautlands wrote:
Hey! Thanks for the great replies! So quick too!

Okay, so, I figure I will fly myself over. I'll probably do a bit of sight seeing. Does anyone have an updated link to what paper work I should bring over? Is it different if I've already had and E2? Surely I don't have to interview here in Canada (to get my E2). Any links?

Also, people always say to avoid the recruiter... how is this done? I look at worknplay and the ads are almost all from recruiters. Is there a secret to it? How have you guys done it? Let's hear some success stories!

I'll bring you maple syrup! Wink

Again, thanks for the quick replies.


Provided you do not have a black mark on your immigration file (i.e. overstay), you should be fine with the visa run to Japan.

You will need your degree, CBC with apostille, and sealed transcripts.

Look at the jobs on offer. There are plenty that aren't from recruiters right here on Dave's.
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vexed



Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Location: Daegu

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

plynx wrote:
DON'T go through a recruiter - unless you're applying for the public school jobs during the hiring season.


Recruiters aren't all bad. They can do a lot of legwork for you and find you jobs that wouldn't necessarily be advertised on job sites. You just have to remember to be careful with them. And, at the end of the day, they're services to you are for free, so you might as well see what they have to offer.
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seoulteacher



Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

losing_touch wrote:

Provided you do not have a black mark on your immigration file (i.e. overstay), you should be fine with the visa run to Japan.

You will need your degree, CBC with apostille, and sealed transcripts.

Look at the jobs on offer. There are plenty that aren't from recruiters right here on Dave's.


Losing_touch, my last contract in Korea (E2) ended Feb 2007, and there are no blacks marks on my Kn Immig file (as far as I know Smile ).

A - E2 visa
Would your above advice apply to me? ie. If I came out to Korea now - without a job offer
(i) could I simply do a visa run to Japan after I receive an offer and E2 visa papers are prepared?
(ii) Or would I have to fly back to Canada to have the Korean Consulate interview me there for the E2? I asked this question a month or so ago of the Kn Consulate in Vancouver & they said I'd have to fly back to Canada (but I've heard that Kn Consulates have been known to give erroneous/conflicting instructions on visa procedures, espec. when the new regulations had just come out).

B - C4 visa, then E2 visa
If I fly out to Korea now
(i) could I then get a C4 (camp/short term) visa thru a trip to Japan?
(ii) Or would I have to return to Canada to get the C4 visa thru the Kn consulate in Vancouver?
(iii) After the C4 ends (in Feb 2009), could I roll it over - with only a trip to Japan - to an E2 to start March 2009? (I have an E2 job offer to start March 2009).

Hope I'm not asking too much (my #-ing will hopefully allow simple yes/no answers, by #).

Any info/help appreciated!
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losing_touch



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

E2 visa - Yes to Japan .....

I have no idea about c4
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seoulteacher



Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

losing_touch wrote:
E2 visa - Yes to Japan .....

I have no idea about c4


Hmm...then the search continues,
thanx!
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CPT



Joined: 25 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you overstayed your visa, would you know it already? As in, when you left and handed in your ARC, would they have mentioned something and/or given you some trouble?

I got one of those stay of departure things, and left on that date, so I'm hoping everything is fine, but I'm coming back soon and will have to do a visa run, and this is the point where I worry about every little thing.
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Chet Wautlands



Joined: 11 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CPT wrote:


I got one of those stay of departure things, and left on that date, so I'm hoping everything is fine, but I'm coming back soon and will have to do a visa run, and this is the point where I worry about every little thing.


I'm in the exact same situation. I hope it all goes well...

So, CRC, sealed transcripts, diploma, passport, underwear.

Has anyone done this recently? I'd love to hear of someone who's come over here (on a tourist visa) and landed a job since the new regulations came into place. If you've done this, tell us how you did it and how well it went!

Thanks again for the help guys. It's reassuring to hear real people talk about this instead of reading websites with questionable information.
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