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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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ChrisHannah
Joined: 20 Jun 2008
Location: Daegu
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 Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. Daily I post our joint resume on several job boards, only to receive offers from China, Taiwan, etc. Those related to SK are really just massive-blast emails from recruiters who have obviously not read a single word on our post. Typically I try to respond with the information wanted (resume, photo, start date, age, etc) for every single one that comes my way. Normally I don't hear anything, and if I do, the person still hasn't paid attention to what our preferences are. Sometimes a phone interview goes well and they seem positive and that they'll get on the hunt, but then they drop off the face of the earth!
My girlfriend is at the breaking point and wants to start looking for other options that aren't teaching English in SK. But basically the only difficult thing is that we want joint housing or single for one and housing allowance for the other. We've got everything prepared...
What are my avenues to make this happen? It seems so bleak now... |
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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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| ChrisHannah wrote: |
I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. Daily I post our joint resume on several job boards, only to receive offers from China, Taiwan, etc. Those related to SK are really just massive-blast emails from recruiters who have obviously not read a single word on our post. Typically I try to respond with the information wanted (resume, photo, start date, age, etc) for every single one that comes my way. Normally I don't hear anything, and if I do, the person still hasn't paid attention to what our preferences are. Sometimes a phone interview goes well and they seem positive and that they'll get on the hunt, but then they drop off the face of the earth!
My girlfriend is at the breaking point and wants to start looking for other options that aren't teaching English in SK. But basically the only difficult thing is that we want joint housing or single for one and housing allowance for the other. We've got everything prepared...
What are my avenues to make this happen? It seems so bleak now... |
Chris, we're in a economic depression. South Korea is flooded with economic refugees fleeing the west. Never thought I'd ever see it happen. But that's just the case. All I can tell you is good luck. Jobs are out there, but it's like trying to find water in the desert. |
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shifter2009
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Location: wisconsin
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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| asmith wrote: |
| ChrisHannah wrote: |
I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. Daily I post our joint resume on several job boards, only to receive offers from China, Taiwan, etc. Those related to SK are really just massive-blast emails from recruiters who have obviously not read a single word on our post. Typically I try to respond with the information wanted (resume, photo, start date, age, etc) for every single one that comes my way. Normally I don't hear anything, and if I do, the person still hasn't paid attention to what our preferences are. Sometimes a phone interview goes well and they seem positive and that they'll get on the hunt, but then they drop off the face of the earth!
My girlfriend is at the breaking point and wants to start looking for other options that aren't teaching English in SK. But basically the only difficult thing is that we want joint housing or single for one and housing allowance for the other. We've got everything prepared...
What are my avenues to make this happen? It seems so bleak now... |
Chris, we're in a economic depression. South Korea is flooded with economic refugees fleeing the west. Never thought I'd ever see it happen. But that's just the case. All I can tell you is good luck. Jobs are out there, but it's like trying to find water in the desert. |
That didn't take long. |
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Juregen
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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| ChrisHannah wrote: |
| I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. |
Personally, I would never want to hire a couple. It reduces flexibility without any gain what so ever.
a couple of singles are easier to manage than a single couple  |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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| Juregen wrote: |
| ChrisHannah wrote: |
| I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. |
Personally, I would never want to hire a couple. It reduces flexibility without any gain what so ever.
a couple of singles are easier to manage than a single couple |
Married couples are ok but I've known a butload of BF/GF who started having relationship probs. Anything from mutual homesickness, dude shagging korean chicks, gal shagging other expat guys, etc..... When those things happen the working atmosphere is really bad. |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| OP - I thought I also should add that if you and your SO are willing to teach out in the boonies there's always plenty of gigs available. Forget Seoul, Busan, or Daegu. |
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Carla
Joined: 21 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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| ChrisHannah wrote: |
I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. Daily I post our joint resume on several job boards, only to receive offers from China, Taiwan, etc. Those related to SK are really just massive-blast emails from recruiters who have obviously not read a single word on our post. Typically I try to respond with the information wanted (resume, photo, start date, age, etc) for every single one that comes my way. Normally I don't hear anything, and if I do, the person still hasn't paid attention to what our preferences are. Sometimes a phone interview goes well and they seem positive and that they'll get on the hunt, but then they drop off the face of the earth!
My girlfriend is at the breaking point and wants to start looking for other options that aren't teaching English in SK. But basically the only difficult thing is that we want joint housing or single for one and housing allowance for the other. We've got everything prepared...
What are my avenues to make this happen? It seems so bleak now... |
It's better to apply to the positions you see advertised, not just post your resume.
Also, couples are not a bonus. We've had people on this board complaining that they broke up a week or so ago and that the school is "taking too long" to get them new apartments, even though they signed contracts for a larger double apartment. Now, I don't blame them, sometimes things happen. But from the schools standpoint, why put themselves in that position unless they are short teachers, which at the moment they are not.
Besides the fact there there are a lot of teachers on the market right now, the school semester is starting and all the public school positions have already been filled, so that in normal circumstances, this is not the best time to look.
I suggest you give up the idea of teaching together and try for different schools near each other. But that's just my opinion. |
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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| xingyiman wrote: |
| OP - I thought I also should add that if you and your SO are willing to teach out in the boonies there's always plenty of gigs available. Forget Seoul, Busan, or Daegu. |
I live way out in the boonies. There are about 15 white guys in my town. |
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zipper
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Location: Ruben Carter was falsely accused
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Why are you guys so desperate to work in Korea? There are other places to teach English, and widen your cross cultural and global experience as well. You sound so desperate to work in South Korea that you are willing to do non teaching related work. Is it that bad where you come from? How embarrassing. |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| zipper wrote: |
| Why are you guys so desperate to work in Korea? There are other places to teach English, and widen your cross cultural and global experience as well. You sound so desperate to work in South Korea that you are willing to do non teaching related work. Is it that bad where you come from? How embarrassing. |
But they don't pay what Korea does and with the free apt and such. Trust me, I'd be back in thailand if I could make there what I'm making here. |
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kabrams
Joined: 15 Mar 2008
Location: your Dad's house
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Help! Couple can't find jobs! |
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| ChrisHannah wrote: |
I've become very frustrated with this job search process. My girlfriend and I are currently searching high and low for positions teaching English in SK but it's just not happening. Daily I post our joint resume on several job boards, only to receive offers from China, Taiwan, etc. Those related to SK are really just massive-blast emails from recruiters who have obviously not read a single word on our post. Typically I try to respond with the information wanted (resume, photo, start date, age, etc) for every single one that comes my way. Normally I don't hear anything, and if I do, the person still hasn't paid attention to what our preferences are. Sometimes a phone interview goes well and they seem positive and that they'll get on the hunt, but then they drop off the face of the earth!
My girlfriend is at the breaking point and wants to start looking for other options that aren't teaching English in SK. But basically the only difficult thing is that we want joint housing or single for one and housing allowance for the other. We've got everything prepared...
What are my avenues to make this happen? It seems so bleak now... |
Why are you sending out a joint resume?
I think it would be better if you both applied as singles, then asked to be put in the same area. I have only seen this happen with public schools, though.
You can then use the stipend they give you en lieu of the housing and get a pretty nice apartment together that is close to both schools.
I know several couples who have done this and they are quite happy. The housing allowance is more than enough for a two bedroom apt. outside of Seoul.
Don't give up. Good luck to you!
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E_athlete
Joined: 09 Jun 2009
Location: Korea sparkling
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| try finding a specific recruiter and tell them your situation and go from there. |
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zipper
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Location: Ruben Carter was falsely accused
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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| xingyiman wrote: |
| But they don't pay what Korea does and with the free apt and such. Trust me, I'd be back in thailand if I could make there what I'm making here. |
Yeah, I hear ya, but the ways things are going here, I wouldn�t be surprised if schools in Korea stopped offering free housing and air flights someday in the near future. It seems that benefits for most public schools are marginally shrinking with increased winter and summer camps. Schools lately have been hiring less experienced teachers just to save money. I would do what kabrams suggested earlier. Apply separately, and try to work at schools nearby each other. Then you could share the housing allowances.
By the way, I enjoyed Taiwan, China and Thailand. I am heading back to China or Taiwan in a couple of months or so, because I like the cultural experiences of those countries as well. |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| zipper wrote: |
| xingyiman wrote: |
| But they don't pay what Korea does and with the free apt and such. Trust me, I'd be back in thailand if I could make there what I'm making here. |
Yeah, I hear ya, but the ways things are going here, I wouldn�t be surprised if schools in Korea stopped offering free housing and air flights someday in the near future. It seems that benefits for most public schools are marginally shrinking with increased winter and summer camps. Schools lately have been hiring less experienced teachers just to save money. I would do what kabrams suggested earlier. Apply separately, and try to work at schools nearby each other. Then you could share the housing allowances.
By the way, I enjoyed Taiwan, China and Thailand. I am heading back to China or Taiwan in a couple of months or so, because I like the cultural experiences of those countries as well. |
Public schools are so overrated. It's kind of like the stock market. Little risk - little return. I say find a good hagwan (might take a few tours) and stick with that. You'll get better benefits in the long run. |
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zipper
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Location: Ruben Carter was falsely accused
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| xingyiman wrote: |
| Public schools are so overrated. It's kind of like the stock market. Little risk - little return. |
This is a gem!  |
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