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chumpchange
Joined: 24 Mar 2009
Location: Bucheon
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 Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: Is that how it is? |
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Alright, so I'm scouring job postings and working with recruiters trying to get myself to Korea, ideally in my preferred locations. I heard from a recruiter though, that the market has now become somewhat flooded with westerners jumping ship due to the economic situation in the west and trying their luck in places like Korea. I am also told by the same recruiter that what jobs there are seem to have a preference for women (which I am not). I heard about the 100 or so teachers being let go before even being hired through EPIK or GEPIK or whatever, which of course lends some credence to the recruiters claims.
Is this really how it is now?
Are there any tips for making myself a more desirable applicant that wont require getting my B.Ed (already got the 100+hr TESL course)?
And lastly, how long did some of you take in finding a job your first time taking the plunge? |
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Hyeon Een
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Is that how it is? |
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| chumpchange wrote: |
And lastly, how long did some of you take in finding a job your first time taking the plunge? |
I got a call about 18 hours after posting my resume here on Dave's. I went to Korea about 2 days later. This annoyed my new employer a little since he ideally wanted me to come about 12 hours later haha. I got my visa in Japan later, but this is not recommended. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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I've been here over four years at two jobs.
The first time I was jerked around by a recruiter (Footprints) for over a month before 'the scales peeled from my eyes' and I and applied using a second recruiter - I had a contract within 24 hrs.
For the second job, it was literally 3 minutes elapsed time between hitting 'send' and a phone call from the POE. |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Four months for me before anyone even made a hint of an offer. I had offered to go anywhere. But I am bottom of the barrel as far as Korean ESL Teacher desirability index is concerned.
As for making yourself more desirable: (if applicable)
-your picture: make it look professional
-your resume and cover letter
-your knowledge of Korea and Korean language
The next round of job offers for '10 Spring isn't too far away. We don't know what kind of surprises it has in store. |
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iggyb
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Taking a job with a boss who wants you to come now then fly to Japan to get your visa later is a very bad way to go about getting position.
Going to Korea using the tourist waiver and scouting jobs in person then going to Japan is a different thing altogether (and something I'm currently doing - but I wouldn't recommend it to someone new to Korea and the ESL market here).
--- I have noticed an increase in the percentage of jobs wanting females since I started the job search a couple of months ago.
The market is tighter than I remember from before - even with the massive growth in public schools. But, I still get the idea that if you are open to where you're willing to live in Korea and what level you want to teach, you can find a position - even without experience or a connecting degree... |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| wont require getting my B.Ed |
Does that mean you don't have a degree? Make sure you have the degree first, then come over. Also, try to get your finances in order before coming to Korea. If you come here, you will lose 20% of your income. So, it won't be in your best interest to try to pay off loans with some of the other 80%. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| If you come here, you will lose 20% of your income. So, it won't be in your best interest to try to pay off loans with some of the other 80%. |
 Most people who come to K-land to teach English have no income... and 20% of zero is zero.  |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| Quote: |
| wont require getting my B.Ed |
Does that mean you don't have a degree? Make sure you have the degree first, then come over. Also, try to get your finances in order before coming to Korea. If you come here, you will lose 20% of your income. So, it won't be in your best interest to try to pay off loans with some of the other 80%. |
Your logic is just whacky about finances and whatever else you are rambling on about.
Anyway, the OP is talking about getting a bachelors degree in education to be a more viable candidate for teaching ESL in Korea. They most likely have a degree in some field already.
Last edited by byrddogs on Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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chumpchange
Joined: 24 Mar 2009
Location: Bucheon
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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| No worries, I already have a B.Sc from a University here in Canada |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Most people who come to K-land to teach English have no income... and 20% of zero is zero. |
That was absolutely NOT my point. I was saying if they come to save up (with the premise they HAVE WORKED 1 month at least) then they would have income. That's why I mentioned 20%. Before you get 100% to have 20% removed, you have to earn the money. I WAS NOT referring to him getting off the plane and paying his loans (if he had any). |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Your logic is just whacky about finances and whatever else you are rambling on about. |
Ok, go ahead, make money in Korea and pay your loans off with 80%. I would prefer to use 100%. To each their own |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Your logic is just whacky about finances and whatever else you are rambling on about. |
Ok, go ahead, make money in Korea and pay your loans off with 80%. I would prefer to use 100%. To each their own |
Sorry, I'm not from Canada and I don't have loans to pay. You still make no sense; 80% compared to what? |
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blackjack
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: anyang
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Most people who come to K-land to teach English have no income... and 20% of zero is zero. |
That was absolutely NOT my point. I was saying if they come to save up (with the premise they HAVE WORKED 1 month at least) then they would have income. That's why I mentioned 20%. Before you get 100% to have 20% removed, you have to earn the money. I WAS NOT referring to him getting off the plane and paying his loans (if he had any). |
What?? |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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LOL, these sure are some weird replies today. Oh well, here goes my attempt to add common sense to the community.
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| Sorry, I'm not from Canada and I don't have loans to pay. You still make no sense; |
Who said you had to be from Canada? LOL, people from the US can get loans too.
| Quote: |
| 80% compared to what? |
Compared to 100%. If you are going to study, where would you want to study? Let's do the math.
Options in America
A) Earn $100, spend $100 towards tuition.
B) Go to Korea, earn 100,000 won, spend $80 towards tuition.
Options in Korea
C) Earn $100, spend 120,000 won towards tuition.
D) Earn 100,000 won, spend 100,000 won towards tuition.
I would rather do options A, C, or D. Option B comes with a 20% loss.
If you still don't understand it, I am sorry. I can't help you further. |
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blackjack
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: anyang
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
LOL, these sure are some weird replies today. Oh well, here goes my attempt to add common sense to the community.
| Quote: |
| Sorry, I'm not from Canada and I don't have loans to pay. You still make no sense; |
Who said you had to be from Canada? LOL, people from the US can get loans too.
| Quote: |
| 80% compared to what? |
Compared to 100%. If you are going to study, where would you want to study? Let's do the math.
Options in America
A) Earn $100, spend $100 towards tuition.
B) Go to Korea, earn 100,000 won, spend $80 towards tuition.
Options in Korea
C) Earn $100, spend 120,000 won towards tuition.
D) Earn 100,000 won, spend 100,000 won towards tuition.
I would rather do options A, C, or D. Option B comes with a 20% loss.
If you still don't understand it, I am sorry. I can't help you further. |
You do realise that 100,000 does not equal $100 right? Exchange rates change, it has not been 1 to 1000 for a long time. |
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