Korean Job Discussion Forums

[macattack123]

I've noticed that a lot of information out there is American or Canadian based. Probably because the majority of teachers in Korea are actually American or Canadian. Maybe im wrong though? I'm sure there's a lot of teachers from Australia as well. I was wondering how many brits were out there either in Korea or planning to go to Korea?

I would like to know things for UK nationals like:

What happens to our pension? We pay it, we aren't allowed to claim it back so does it go into our UK pension fund??? How much goes in? The full 9% or just the half we pay???? Hoe do we find out that it's going in?

Can we claim back tax?

It's harder to find a job in Korea if your not from the US or Canada. From experience i've been turned down for jobs purely based on the fact that im NOT from the US, been asked to sound more American for phone interviews etc etc......

Has anyone else had this problem?

Maybe someone has other questions??

THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!!! Happy Halloween......

[Bog Roll]

There are so many factors that get you hired - what do you look like? male or female? Do you have a face that looks as if it has been hit by a frying pan? Are you fat? Are you white? What kind of British accent? What kind of job do you want and which part of Korea do you want to live in? Public School or Hagwon?

Being British means if you want a job on Hauendae Beach in Busan then it is more than likely you are going to be disappointed.

Moreso than in the good old days. (last year we are talking about)

[highdials5]

[macattack123]

Bog roll, im sure your right.

There's probably many qualities they are looking for. I'm lucky with having a frying pan free face.

I'm sure there's a large portion of hopeful teachers out there that are perfect candidates and others that do actually look like the back end of a bus with absolutely no teaching qualities what so ever.

All i know is that i was told from many many recruiters that the schools liked my resume but wanted someone from America or Canada because the accent is desirable. I even had someone ask me to sound more American as the director likes American movies and the way they speak....OH RIGHT!!!

I have a job now and they are fine that im british because my accent is bland, reflecting on that i should probably take offense???

This post isn't really anything to do with USA V OTHER COUNTRIES, it's about finding more solid answers for UK folks.

So back to topic....

Does anyone know what the deal is with pensions and all the other fun things we need to know???

Im just jealous as i don't get to claim pension back, rubbish!!!!!! So where does it actually go (if it's paid in the first place)???? In our pension pockets, the schools or into Korean government pocket???

[SSA]

Ive been told that the UK and Korea have no agreement regarding the pension. So a UK resident in Korea will pay pension and a Korean resident working in the UK will pay National Insurance. Neither are transferred or refunded upon exit. I would also like clarification on this however because I have read elsewhere that it can be added to your UK pension. (Sadly I do not think this is the case)

[PigeonFart]

My boss also asked me to talk like an American...

Me being from Bow in East London kindly said, "What d'ya mean you Japanese mug, i come here on a plane you kunt."

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

^^^ Lol

I'm from Hampshire so don't really have an accent. Most Koreans are surprised that I'm English because they expect me to have some gnarly accent lol

Never had a problem getting very good jobs.

[scotty12347]

I've got a second interview later on today but apparently they're a little concerned about my accent and my recruiter asked me to "speak less British"

[supernick]

[Scouse Mouse]

[Murakano]

[PigeonFart]

You're correct Supernick. I just didn't want to write it too phonetically cos some readers wouldn't be familiar with the cockney accent. So i spelled it out for our colonial cousins.

p.s. That person from Hampshire.....you really DO have an accent. EVERYONE does (yes, that even includes my american cousins). Someone with an Australian ear would instantly recognise you as being English.

As for the speaking less British, he probably just means that words pronounced like "graawwwsss" and "baaawwth" (grass and bath) sound strange to him. Or maybe he's talking about your vocabulary (sidewalk/pavement, elevator/lift). Just speak slower and ENUNCIATE every word. That counts for so much in comprehension.

[Bog Roll]

[scotty12347]

[davyteacher]