Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RBJfaraway]

I've been entertaining the idea of teaching ESL in Korea as a first timer for the last week or two. I've been spending literally all my free time researching and reading about the prospect of doing this.

My initial impression was that the demand was severe, that they needed teachers sooooo bad. The more I apply and look for jobs -I kind of had my heart set on a public school position- it really seems like an employers market. SMOE/GEPIK in particular seem incredibly competitive, and apparently SMOE isn't even accepting entry level (i.e. just bachelors degree) applicants right now. Obviously, I'd like to do a contract in or near a city first, before considering moving out to the sticks. I want to be able to make some English speaking friends my first year there, or I'll go nuts.

It is important to note that the research and planning that I am doing now is for a possible move to Korea in March 2010 (at the earliest). The upside is I'm a noob and will work for cheap and do what I'm told, the downside is I'm a noob and there's people already there who want the job I want.

Where's the best bet for a rookie to get into Korea next spring? Any pointers? Help me out, we could be coworkers. Thanks in advance for being patient and forthright with the new guy.

[ChinaChao1]

Wow, no one answered you... I think that means you need to refer to old threads. Put your resume out there and talk to recruiters. Ask them questions. Find out. I thought I did my research early but I was wrong because I was trying to find the right job and that takes thorough questioning and probing as though you are going to take the job tomorrow. So read up on old posts and good luck.

[Demophobe]

[Suwon4AGT]

RBJfaraway,

Most everyone here has been in your position at one point. ChinaChao1's point about many existing threads about the current Korean job market is valid. But I will add a few things here.

If you have the time to do the research, get your resume out and MAKE CONTACT with recruiters and schools, the more you do that, the more likely you can land a "better" position. But, by and large, the market for 20-somethings with a BA looking for a good time has dried up considerably. The employers, especially in Seoul and other popular destinations are becoming way more selective and stingy.

If you have no teaching experience, only a BA and no certifications, you might need to take that first crappy job in the sticks. I think it will depend on how many more college grad western economic refugees keep flocking over here. But, you never know. Networking, making contacts, and good looks (if you have them) can make a difference.

[cruisemonkey]

The market is not saturated (unless you want to work in Seoul... and that's debatable). This term, in my province alone there are (as of Friday, September 4th) sixteen unfilled public school positions:
Changwon Elementary10/30
Haewoon Mid. 10/1
Gusan Elementary12/9
Gohyeon Mid. 10/14
Yangju Elementary10/20
Yangju Elementary10/20
Sinyang Elementary10/29
Bogoang High10/21
Weolcheon Elementary10/20
Dangye Elementary10/10
YeongO Elementary11/26
Samsan Elementary11/18
Hail Elementary
Hoam Elementary10/1
Gaya Elementary11/5
Haman Girls' Mid.11/12
Gohyeon Mid 10/1

While supply has increased, the (lack of) demand is an artificial construct designed to do two things: keep salaries static; and the wagooken 'in line'.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

Apply through EPIK. I'm a first timer and just started this semester, and I only have a BA.

[asmith]

It's getting saturated. But it's not completely dead. We are in a depression. Things are tough all over.

[otnemem]

My girlfriend and I are recent graduates with no certification or experience. Further, we had the added baggage of tyring to find a couple position, which are less common, and schools prefer to take married couples, since they think there is less of a chance of a breakup and the problems for the school that would follow. We had to settle a little, and take a position just outside of Seoul (in Goyang) instead of in it, at a Hagwon that seems to be pretty decent, judging by the contract and the rave reviews of the couple we are replacing. We managed to get this offer in relatively short time, without all our documents. We had a couple other leads/offers from schools further out from Seoul, including Dogtan and some other school in the sticks.

So basically, no, the market's not saturated. If we could get jobs I don't see why anyone couldn't, unless perhaps your older. That being said, you may have to settle a little bit, and not be in the ideal location within Seoul. Compared to the current job market in the states, Korea is much much better.

[gaffe]

[RBJfaraway]

Thanks for the responses. In retrospect it was a dumb question, because I'm going to find out the hard way soon enough. I don't need to be in Seoul, but I want to be in a decent sized city so I don't get too lonely. I'm a typical economic refugee, but I feel like the living in Korea aspect of the job will weed out some of the competition. I have a genuine interest in being there and making a career out of it, if it suits me.

Cruisemonkey, thanks for the info. Are you in Changwon? I've heard good things about that place.

Drugstore Cowgirl, I've applied through EPIK. Where'd they put you? How are they? How do you like it? etc.

Demophobe, you made me hungry.

[cincynate]

Don't worry about the big cities. I am in sinchang, and met tons of foreigners in my first week. They're everywhere, and they stand out like sore thumbs. Be careful when going through Epik/Gpik/SMOE. They hire more people than they need and tell the extras a day before they are supposed to leave 'nevermind', screwing them out of a plane ticket, etc.
I would apply through a hagwon. The public schools have too many teachers.

[RBJfaraway]

Oh I'd be so pissed if a bought a plane ticket for nothing. I am open to anything as long as the contract looks good and I can check up on the school. Part of what prompted me to start this thread was reading about the 100 or so people who got cancelled on at the last minute. This was an indicator to me that it was definitely an employers market.

Thats good news, hopefully people are friendly enough. I just wanna have a good crew to go grab some drinks with after work. That will be the difference between good experience and a bad one for me.

[CPT]

Sounds like you will want a hagwon. At a PS, you will be the only foreigner at the school.

I don't think there's any shortage of hagwon jobs, but you must be very careful with them. Do your research on the specific school, talk to one or more of the foreign teachers there to get the real scoop. If the school won't let you, it's not a place you want to work.

[rickig]

If you want to make friends with english speakers I think a hagwon is your best bet. If you work at a public school usually you are the only english teacher in the school. Unless you go to an orientation. They are not always when you first come to Korea. My orientation didn't happen until like 6 months after i've been here.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]