Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chonga]

I have an Irish father and Korean mother so I'm what the Koreans call me a "Kyopo." So heres the situation...

I am a native English speaker, 24 male, lived in the states my whole life. I know a tiny bit of Korean only from what my mother taught me. I recently visited some family in Busan and wanted to go back to spend some more time there and do this by finding a job teaching English at a public or Hogwan. I figured this wouldn't be a problem as I am a hard worker, love kids, and found my stay in Busan rather pleasant.

Then I started getting responses from big recruiters to the tune of "sorry, we have no positions in Busan." or "I will let you know if anything comes up in the future."

Now let's remember that I only contacted them because they said they had positions available in Busan. So I was thinking, what is going on? Then dug deeper to find out my picture shows a hint of my Korean side. Most people in the states mistake me for Hawaiin or half of something they aren't sure what.

So I realize that this is a hurdle and I'd really love to teach in Busan. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations? Any schools that except "my kind?"

Thanks in advance for any help! Any apologies if this has been discussed before, it is a very large forum and I don't have the opportunity to look for it other than a quick 5 min search.

[Adjumas Cheekbones]

Are you fat or ugly? could be a different reason...

[PRagic]

Float your CV to ever recruiter in the universe. Tell them where you want to work and what age group you'd like to teach.

Post your CV on every ESL board you can find.

Create a separate e-mail account to help avoid the stream of crap that may come your way.

The upside for you is that you'll get the magic F4 visa. You could actually just come over, hang out in Pusan, and shop for a position somewhere. You won't need a separate visa.

The downside is that some institutes don't provide housing or benefits for Kyopos. They save that stuff for the E2s as they have to provide it in those cases.

Good luck. Don't let a few idiots get you down.

[smartwentcrazy]

Do you hold at least a bachelors at an accredited university/college?

[chonga]

I have a double major - BS in Finance and BA in Economics (3.81 GPA) at an accredited university in the states (PA)

And no I am not fat nor ugly. I used to model tuxedo's for a department store here on the east coast in the states (Boscovs, if anyone has ever heard of it).

Thanks for all the responses so far! Appreciate it!

[NaD00D00]

It doesn't make a difference. I'm half and they treat me like any other foreigner.

If you want to teach in Busan, then that's probably why. Getting a job in major cities like Seoul or Busan right away is difficult. Just keep trying/waiting it out and you should be able to get a job eventually.

Oh, maybe you should have your family in Busan help you find a job?

[Insomnia]

[Adjumas Cheekbones]

[chonga]

Haha, perhaps it is the Irish part.

Thanks for all of your help and encouragement guys. I really appreciate it.

I think I will ask for my family to help me out as well. I'll keep patient as I have a good paying job at the moment in the states and in no rush.

Any suggestions as to what they should look for or ask?

Thanks again!

[aphase]

I'm also half korean like you, but i haven't had trouble getting jobs based upon my appearance. Maybe you look more korean? But I don't think it would matter.

As for having your family help you out, if they are anything like my family they dont' have much of a clue about the English teaching industry.

My recommondation would be to come here, get your F4 visa, and then just go look for some jobs yourself. You could work full-time at a hakwon, which sounds like what your trying to do, but I would probably recommend just getting several part-time jobs instead.

Also, one of the posters above who said that they only provide housing for E2's, thats not true. I've had housing provided my first two years I worked here at two different places.

The only disadvantage that I can think of is that sometimes a potential employer just looks at my visa status (which says F4) and assumes that I'm a gyopo, when in fact I don't really look korean at all. They usually say something like "oh this job isn't for F4 visa holders".

[Toon Army]

[chonga]

[chonga]

[digsydinner]

are you pretty much decided on teaching at a school? as you probably know, you have the option of going the private lesson route...which can be a whole lot more lucrative. i know an f-4 holder who doesn't speak korean very well but has a nice loudmouth aunt who does all his marketing and sales. perhaps you've got one in the family too??

[chonga]