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Grimda
Joined: 15 Aug 2009
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 Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:52 am Post subject: Want to move to Korea... Where to start? |
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Hello all, I am very interested in moving to Korea, but I don't really know where to start. I am from the US and have a BA in English. Is Berlitz a reputable company to work for in Korea? I've read some shady reviews of Berlitz in other countries, but the Korean branch seems pretty trustworthy.
I have about $10,000 dollars saved up, so moving to Korea and looking for a job after would be an option, but I would prefer to have a job and housing lined up before I moved. |
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Carla
Joined: 21 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: Want to move to Korea... Where to start? |
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| Grimda wrote: |
Hello all, I am very interested in moving to Korea, but I don't really know where to start. I am from the US and have a BA in English. Is Berlitz a reputable company to work for in Korea? I've read some shady reviews of Berlitz in other countries, but the Korean branch seems pretty trustworthy.
I have about $10,000 dollars saved up, so moving to Korea and looking for a job after would be an option, but I would prefer to have a job and housing lined up before I moved. |
Ok, you've never had a E-2 before. So, unless you get a job with SMOE (Seoul public schools) you have to have an interview in your home country for your first E-2 visa. Right now the job market is really tight, with people with expience and are currently in Korea not finding jobs. So, moving here first is an all over bad idea. Look for a job, find recruiters, and take the time to read up on rules/regulations/etc. Hope this helps. |
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sigmundsmith
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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Don't come over here (for your first time anyway) without a job lined up.
Like the other poster said the market is tight. It's an employers market at the moment.
But since you have no experience but an English degree you would be an ideal candidate for most hagwons - even moreso than people here with experience. They can pay you the low rate then. |
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climber159
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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| If you have never worked in Korea before do not come here before signing a contract and obtaining your visa. According to government regulations you must obtain your first E-2 visa from within your home country and interview (either in person or via SKYPE) with the Korean consulate assigned to your location. I have heard of a few instances where immigration has let this rule slide, but DO NOT bet on it. DO NOT believe a recruiter or employer who tells you otherwise. Once again...have your contract and visa in order before you goo to Korea. |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| climber159 wrote: |
| If you have never worked in Korea before do not come here before signing a contract and obtaining your visa. According to government regulations you must obtain your first E-2 visa from within your home country and interview (either in person or via SKYPE) with the Korean consulate assigned to your location. I have heard of a few instances where immigration has let this rule slide, but DO NOT bet on it. DO NOT believe a recruiter or employer who tells you otherwise. Once again...have your contract and visa in order before you goo to Korea. |
It is possible. I have done it. I obtained my first E-2 visa in Bangkok a year ago. Oddly enough, it was EXACTLY one year ago today! There is no trick. Immigration doesn't let anything slide. There is a verified procedure to do it. It is clearly laid out on immigration's website. It involves having your degree verified by the KCUE. It isn't that hard. Another poster recently did it and had his first E-2 visa issued in Japan by following the same process. |
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Forward Observer
Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Location: FOB Gloria
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Grimda
Joined: 15 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the help! I'm starting to draft a cover letter now, what kind of information would be best? Should I include that I speak French and Spanish, or will that be irrelevant? I lived in the Caribbean for a year, should I mention that? Before I decided on English as a major, I took a class called Into to Teaching, but that is really my only experience with teaching. I've always worked in restaurants.
Sorry to have so many questions. I've been reading all I can about it online, but I know that the job market is rapidly changing and would prefer information that is up to date. |
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alphakennyone
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Location: city heights
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Grimda wrote: |
Thanks for the help! I'm starting to draft a cover letter now, what kind of information would be best? Should I include that I speak French and Spanish, or will that be irrelevant? I lived in the Caribbean for a year, should I mention that? Before I decided on English as a major, I took a class called Into to Teaching, but that is really my only experience with teaching. I've always worked in restaurants.
Sorry to have so many questions. I've been reading all I can about it online, but I know that the job market is rapidly changing and would prefer information that is up to date. |
I'd say your language ability is irrelevant. Use your Caribbean experience as a sign that you can handle being abroad/homesickness/culture shock/etc. Highlight your teaching class, and if you're going for a hagwon, highlight your "customer service" and social skills.
Don't be too upset if they don't read the whole thing over too closely though. |
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DCJames
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Want to move to Korea... Where to start? |
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| Grimda wrote: |
Hello all, I am very interested in moving to Korea, but I don't really know where to start. I am from the US and have a BA in English. Is Berlitz a reputable company to work for in Korea? I've read some shady reviews of Berlitz in other countries, but the Korean branch seems pretty trustworthy.
I have about $10,000 dollars saved up, so moving to Korea and looking for a job after would be an option, but I would prefer to have a job and housing lined up before I moved. |
Don't come here please.
Thanks. |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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Other language experience irrelevant? 
Heck no... if the school is worth their salt, they'll value that. Especially the ability to speak multiple languages! That implies the guy knows what it's like to work and learn a 2nd (and a 3rd) language. It also implies that he probably has a knack for language.
OP -- what kind of job do you want? If you want a public school job, then the main hiring season won't start for another month or two. |
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oshiete
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Want to move to Korea... Where to start? |
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| Grimda wrote: |
Hello all, I am very interested in moving to Korea, but I don't really know where to start. I am from the US and have a BA in English. Is Berlitz a reputable company to work for in Korea? I've read some shady reviews of Berlitz in other countries, but the Korean branch seems pretty trustworthy.
I have about $10,000 dollars saved up, so moving to Korea and looking for a job after would be an option, but I would prefer to have a job and housing lined up before I moved. |
I knew some people in Korea who worked for Berlitz. They didn't have any complaints but moved onto university positions after a time mostly cause working for Berlitz meant working a lot of hours...and a lot of those were at odd times (late evenings, early mornings etc...)
Line the job up first so you don't waste cash over here waiting. As you may or may not know apartments here are expensive. If your job doesn't include accomodation you will need lots of $ for key money.
It's always good to have $ too in case you need to get out on account of a bad job... |
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