Korean Job Discussion Forums

[spikem]

Hey,

I'm a recent college grad with a BA in International Relations from a good private university. I didn't get to go abroad during college and I recently quit the job that I got right after graduating.

I have no interest in getting another job in the US. My brother (living in Beijing) recently suggested teaching in South Korea and his girlfriend (who did a year Fullbright in Korea) has some contacts in Seoul. I spent a year abroad in high school in Italy. I have no teaching experience but imagine I would enjoy it. I've always been a heavy reader and have a long background in theater (meaning I feel comfortable in front of people).

I'm wondering the ins and outs of getting a job once I get to Korea. How difficult it would be to get a job teaching if my original job application falls through. What to expect from Korean people and the difficulties of teaching elementary school Korean kids.

[Tobias]

The first thing to do is pull up a chair and start reading the innumerable threads and posts here. That will give you an idea as to what it's like to live and work in the land of sparkles. You'll also get a heads-up on what to bring with you if and when you do come here.

Let me think out loud here, and I hope you don't take it personally. You say you're a recent college grad and you've recently quit your job, a job you got after graduating. I wonder if this is a sign that you will have problems here. If you quit because somebody pissed you off at that job, well....maybe you should consider some other country. But that's just my opinion. Again, I'm not trying to be a smartass. Just a realist.

Know that the peninsula gets rather cold for its latitude. This, coupled with the won's taking a dump of late, would make me think twice about coming here now if I were indeed considering it. There are better-paying (in dollars) ESL jobs out there, and many of these gigs are in warmer climes.

Your background in theater will come in handy. You'll have to be a good actor and play the pretend game all too often if you come to SK. Here, perceptions, not substance, rules.

I'm about to finish up my second year here. I still like Korea overall, but, as with every place, there are little things I find annoying that I definitely won't miss when I fly the coop.

Good luck.

[afsjesse]

Read the forums to get a clue on what your getting yourself into before you catch the next rocketship to Planet Korea!!!!

Some things you should consider:

1. Do you want to work in a Public School or a Hagwon (Private School)?
I reccomend Public schools.

2. Which recruiting service will you use? I think ESL PLANET is the best.

3. What are you goals? If its the money, go somewhere else, Korea is not the bling bling place it used to be. If its culture, than your in for a load of surprises.

4. When will you come? Public Schools are hiring for March now, and they do so in September also. Hagwons hire year round.

Good Luck,
Jesse

[I-am-me]

Go to Japan or anywhere else to teach; come to korea to entertain.

[Tobias]

[oldtactics]

check out a few of the blogs on the korean blog list, they should give you a pretty good idea of what it's like to teach/live here.

www.koreanbloglist.com

[ChinaBoy]

I'm not sure who would quit a job they got back home in this economy. I sense trouble in the real world, but you might be a whiz at ESL.

[sojusucks]

With the faltering South Korean economy, try to work in Taiwan or even mainland China.

The economy will probably only get worse so really consider the probably continual decline before coming.

Right now, teachers in China are only making a little less than teachers in Korea. If the Korean economy continues to decline as predicted, then teachers in China could end up making more.

[PRagic]

Under 25
No experience
Unrelated degree
Not averse to providing entertainment no matter the actual job description
A pulse

OP, you're a PERFECT candidate for an ESL teaching job in Korea.

Your best bet is to pepper every single recruiter and job board out there with your CV. Also, get in clean-cut mode and get a few pictures taken.

Don't worry about your qualifications; Koreans aren't paying enough to recruit qualified teachers and they know it.

[spikem]

Thanks for the responses all.

First of all, I quit my job back in October. I quit because it wasn't even remotely related to anything I would ever want to do and I hated it. I realize it was a pretty stupid time to do so but I can't say I've regretted it.

Secondly, I have applied to work in an elementary school that is connected to a university in Seoul.

It seems that theres a certain cynicism about a green teacher coming to teach in Korea (though perhaps it is just because I am new to this community). I had gained the impression that Korea was a great place to teach english due to higher salaries, less stringent requirements and a good culture. Am I wrong?

[greedy_bones]

[the ireland]

take everything you see here with a pinch of salt, people just seem to love complaining on this site. I had a great time in Korea, obviously I had a few "what the hell is that about?" times but i get them back home too.

In your first post you mentioned finding a job when you get here...forget it, do it legally. get hired by a school at home then get your documents sorted out and get your visa from back home, don't try and teach illegally, and any school that allows you to do so will prob end up screwing you over in the long run.

Enjoy your time in Korea, it's a great place to be for a while!!

[D.D.]

[Bucheonguy]

Don't come here for the work. The money is not worth it all. Secondly, the job isn't rewarding. If you take the job seriously then you're going to crack, slit your wrists or just bail and go home.

Come here for other things. Come here because if you get a decent job, you'll have lots of spare time. It's also lets you see the rest of the continent relatively cheaply.

Honestly though, if you think the job will be good or the pay will be good, go somewhere else. I'm mostly just here for the social life now. The work environment is just fucking hell though.

[spikem]