Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smartwentcrazy]

So I'm a gyopo. I've been looking all over the place in search of a job, and have yet to find a desirable position. I want to be placed somewhere near Seoul, which includes Gyeonggido... So far, I've had no luck in placing a teaching position in any of these areas. What's the deal? I understand that Seoul is unlikely at this point, given the semester for most SMOE schools have already begun. But, not even a position near Seoul or in Gyeonggido?! What does this mean? It's not like I graduated from a no-name community college... I graduated from a top ranked university, have 1+ year of teaching experience, and possess a genuine desire to teach.

Yet, I see all these under-qualified applicants getting placed in top tier positions in Seoul. This may sound a bit ridiculous, but I attribute the fact that these applicants are Caucasian with blonde hair and blue eyes that they are offered the best teaching positions in Korea. I, on the other hand, am on the other side of the spectrum being Korean-American. Not only am I put on the backburner by recruiters, I'm not even considered by some schools! The thing that really irks me is that many of these so-called 'teachers' are only going to Korea to pay off debts, make some money, have a nice little vacation in Korea, and bail back to their respective country. I, however, truly want to teach for a living, and teaching in Korea would provide me with some invaluable teaching experience for the future.

What would any of you do in my position? Are any of my gripes about being Korean-American true, or is it unfounded hearsay? If any of you have some tips on landing a job in Korea as a gyopo, I'd really appreciate it. So far, it has been really discouraging.

[Carla]

[Epicurus]

IMHO your problem is basically one of timing.

all PS positions have been filled and SMOE recently had to withdraw contracts for a 100 teachers they had already hired.

Some of those people were then placed in willing private schools.

Remember that Seoul and immediate Gyonggi area usally overflowing with applicants. If you don't mind some rural areas in Gyonggi, there used to be always something available, but those dynamics have changed this year with the big increase in supply of willing teachers.

I can't speak for how the situation is playing out in hogwans and it's at hogwans where you'd more likely be discriminated against.

However, there are also many prime positions specifically reserved for gyopos especially bilingual gyopos.

if you truly graduated from a truly top school you'd have a good shot at one of those graduate test cram institutes, and being a bilingual gyopo would work in your favor.

I also happen to be a blonde/blue eyed Caucasian, but I'd be willing to bet all of your savings and then some that for e.g. I went to a better school than you did, so since you list that as one of the things that should make you more attractive to an employer, it delights me to inform you that you lose on that front.

Also, many of us do have a desire to teach. That Korea and uninterested Korean students sometimes suck that desire out of us is a different discussion for a different day.

[smartwentcrazy]

[soviet_man]

[Carla]

[I'm no Picasso]

[andrewchon]

You're #3 gyopo can't-get-a-job-in-Korea within 24hours. Join proudman and Intae. We'll have to start a sticky.

[morrisonhotel]

[meangradin]

[jyoo24]

I'm a gyopo as well and I think your best bet is to come to Korea and search for a job. I came to Korea in mid/late July, started my job search in early August and have had interviews with 3 different schools and received offers as well. But, I'm picky when it comes to salary/benefits so I chose to reject them..

If I were you, I would come to Korea (hopefully you have family you can stay with here while you're on your job hunt!), contact Bonnie from OK Recruiting (she's awesome), and apply for a F-4 visa.

It's true that some schools don't even consider us because we're gyopos, but there are also some schools that hire gyopos pretty much exclusively!

Good luck!

[Epicurus]

[pie eater]

[jyoo24]

I think he/she means that graduating from a top ranked university isn't the only nor is it the most important factor in the hiring process..

Maybe?

[Epicurus]