Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jgrant85]

Can anyone suggest some reliable recruiters? I'm looking to teach in a public school preferably, but if not I'm willing to teach in a hagwon. I'm looking to teach in or close to Daegu, but I didn't know if there's any recruiters that deal specifically with that area. I'm also in South Korea already, so hopefully that'll give me an advantage in getting a job.

[ironclad80]

*bump*

i'm wondering the same thing. i'm dealing with a few right now
but each seems just as good as the other. all i have to go by is
who has a nicer webpage design. of course that's not a very
reliable way to make a job decision...

[PRagic]

Make decisions in advance pertaining to:

1) What age group you want to teach? Decide.

2) What type of school at which you'd like to teach (institute, public...)? Decide.

3) Where in Korea you'd like to work? If there's only one place (e.g. Seoul or Pusan), then so be it. Decide.

4) Know how much you should make. Decide what you're comfortable with. 100 thousand won a month one way or the other isn't going to make you happier if the employer isn't up to snuff. Decide.

5) Know what type of housing option you're willing to go with (single, roomies, provided by school, housing allowance...). Decide.

6) Know if you can deal with split shifts. DEFINITELY DECIDE! Most will tell you to avoid splits at all cost.

7) Know when you can start.

Know if you need a pre-paid plane ticket and a salary advance when you get here.

Get your documentation together.

Now:

USE ANY AND ALL RECRUITERS OUT THERE! Put your resume up on job boards, too. Create a separate e-mail address to handle all the incoming crap you'll have to sift through. Be sure to let the recruiter or contacting entity (usually a school or hakwon) know up front and in advance the decisions you've made.

Don't be talked out of the decisions you've made in advance. If you say you want to work in Seoul, then stop them dead in their tracks if they try to get you to go to Pusan or 'close to Seoul'. If you say you want to work in Pusan, but they try to pressure you into a job 'close to Pusan' or a 'place similar to Pusan', move along. You want to teach adults, but they're pushing jobs teaching kids? Next!

Don't be pressured into making a final decision faster than should be considered reasonable. Remember, your employment situation is going to shape your experience here.

[ironclad80]

[PRagic]

You should always get the private e-mail and contact numbers for current and past foreign teachers if possible. If they won't give you contact information, that's a warning shot across the bow right there.

There ARE jobs out there teaching adults. However, there are more kiddy franchises and startups. Look into Pagoda, Wall Street, Chung Moon, and Sisa. Again, just tell the recruiters to get back to you when they have something YOU want.

Mind if I ask why you want experience teaching kids 'for the future'? If you're planning on being a teacher down the road, go with a public school and teach kids while you're here. If nothing else, that will provide some credible experience for the resume (at least to the uninformed). I've never taught at public school, but many on Dave's have. Look around for threads on the issue.

[big_fella1]

[ironclad80]