Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ironclad80]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Korean job scene. Initially I've had my sights set on Japan and spent the past three years studying Japanese, earning my CELTA and the past year I've been applying to jobs in Japan with no luck. I know the job market there is quite satured and I'm strongly considering Korea as an alternate choice. At least for now...

I've heard the hagwon from hell stories and I want to take all measures possible to avoid a situation like that but I'm not sure how.
From what I gather, job postings in Korea differ very much from schools in Japan. For example, sometimes I see a job ad such as Position #1, #2, etc.. but never any mention of the school name and when there is a name I never see a website.

I know EPIK would probably be a safer bet, but I want to be the sole teacher and not an assistant. I do know some people who are quite content with their hagwon jobs. Was it luck or are there ways to research?

Would going through a recruiter help ensure an honest employer?

Thanks, any feedback is appreciated! Please point me in the right direction..

[xingyiman]

[Zaria32]

I worked for two different hogwons and was happy and well treated at
both. Neither tried, in any way, to take advantage of me or treat me
other than with respect. I left both schools with mutual respect.

I relied on my own evaluation of the manager/owner, and did not consider working for anyone who would not talk to me on the phone,
several times. People are pretty much the same the world over, although there are, of course, massive cultural differences. But what I mean is that
jerks are pretty much jerks in any culture, and the devious and dishonest are pretty much that in any culture. You can tell the difference...

[ironclad80]

Thanks for the very detailed advice xing and zaria. I'm a pretty easy going person and it's unlikely I'd initiate any problems unless I wasn't getting paid or something.

So how did you guys find your jobs? Just checking the job board here?

[WoBW]

I honestly don't know why people keep banging on about how great public school jobs are.

I worked in Korea for several years, and the one public school job I had was the worst job I ever had in Korea. It was misery. They fired me for having two days off when I was in intensive care in hospital with a brain hemorrhage

I'd take a hagwon anyday over a public school. Yeah, you get more holidays at a public school - you usually don't have to work weekends, but you have to deal with an army of kids. I'd much rather be in a room with a handful of adults than 30-40 kids, whatever the money and holidays.

If you are new to teaching, don't bother with EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE and so on. Go to a hagwon. They're not all bad.

[lilred]

Most of the jobs posted for Korean hagwon jobs are from recruiters so they don't tell you the names of the schools because they want to get their commission. Just tell the recruiter what you want and they can be pretty accommodating trying to find the right school for you. It's okay to get offered a contract and turn it down if it's not what you want. Just don't sign a contract or start the visa process then change your mind or you'll be screwed. I worked for YBM ECC for 4 years and it was fine. I never worked in Japan but I think Korea is great!

[xingyiman]

[xingyiman]

[Carla]

I work for hagwons, I like the hagwons, and I've never had a problem with them (except 1 creepy guy, but there can be a creepy guy anywhere).

Now, don't get me wrong, there are some bad hagwons, but there are bad public schools too. It's just the luck of the draw.

I can say this from observations, hagwons are the two ends of the spectrum, while they can have some of the worst jobs, they can have some of the best jobs too.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[son of coco]