Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vaticanhotline]

I've been trying to get a job in Korea for the last few weeks, and I haven't been exactly lazy about it. Problem is, every time I even get a sniff at a job, it falls through. I realise that half of the Western world is looking to get a job in Korea, but I'm fairly sure that it shouldn't be this hard to find some kind of decent job that doesn't involve working in a hogwan for 70 hours a week while living under a bridge in some godforsaken place just north of the DMZ. Just for the record, I have a BA in Theology and English, an MA in English, and I've been studying for a doctorate in English for the last two years. I've also been teaching English in a university here for the last two years. Now, I do have long hair, but I've been told (by a friend who lives in Seoul) that it shouldn't be a problem, and I have had a few interviews where it didn't arise as an issue (unless this is one of those Confucian things where people don't mention it in order to save face). Any advice?

[sigmundsmith]

I would suggest getting a hair cut - male Koreans are not know for their long hair. You placed another post here about the same topic. So to give greater insight to your situation (as someone else said) tell us about you: race, age, gender.

Also, where and what jobs have you been applying for?

Then maybe some maybe able to give a better overview of your circumstances.

[vaticanhotline]

Yeah, sorry; the first time I posted the internet told me it wasn't working, so I thought it hadn't gone up. I've been applyng for everything I can apply for. Seriously.

[sigmundsmith]

Yep get a haircut, suit and tie (if you dont already have one) and yes, the korean mentality is that they only want to learn from N. Americans (I dont know why as more and more koreans are now studying in Australia/NZ due to cost) so with the influx of recent graduates from there you are competing against them.

If location is not a problem I would look at rural locations - public schools sometimes have problems looking for new teachers.

Also, try using many different recruitment sites (job posting sites). Yes, some jobs are posted on multiple sites.

See about applying directly to a company or school without using a recruitment company.

[gaffe]

If you want to teach adults, long hair shouldn't matter (I had it way past my shoulders). If you want to teach kids, get it cut.

[DCJames]

[bassexpander]

It's mostly timing. Late summer is the worst time of year to find a job in Korea. Universities have already hired, and public schools are just beginning, so they have hired. Hagwons are often going full-bore and already have staff in place with the knowledge that their business will go back to normal about now.

Things will open up again in a few months.