Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BBBrown]

I am planning on moving to Korea from China. I am currently teaching English in Shanghai, and although I can see myself continuing down this path for some time I would like to explore some other options for expats in Korea.

My initial plan is to save up some money for my initial move to Korea, and once I get there sign up for a few months at a University to study Korean...mostly to make my goings about a little bit easier. while I study Korean I would search around for work. I have seen a few posts for jobs at radio stations or as copy editors at entertainment networks and such, is there a way to find more of these positions or something for foreigners at big Korean international companies?

Does anyone have any insight as if 1) this would be a good idea and 2) where might I look or have the best chances at finding non-teaching expats jobs?

Any suggestions would be great!

Some tidbits about me:
1) U.S. citizen
2) male
3) B.A. from UC Berkeley (humanities, Sociology)
4) M.A. from Concordia University (International Studies with Education focus)
5) 26 years old
6) currently a head teacher at my language company

[skim234]

You would need to have a visa that is NOT an E-2 (the standard visa for English teachers in America) and you would need to be sponsored by your employer.

This might give you a disadvantage over English speakers who already have visas, to where companies don't want to through the paperwork hassle. If you have connections, perhaps you can find a place that is willing to pay you under the table.

I take it that you do not have Korean ancestry? If you do, you'd qualify for an F-4 visa which allows you to do any kind of work.

[frankly speaking]

I wouldn't suggest applying for a copy editor position unless you have done it. Can you really edit 150 pages a day, everyday? Most copy editors are work horses. It is not an easy job. You have to be fast and accurate with grammar and know journalistic style writing. The other downside, is that a lot of the time you will just be teaching the staff writers better writing skills. So even though you are an editor, you will be doing a lot of teaching. At least that has been my experience in other countries.

There are opportunities, but you really need to know someone. Most people that I know who have great jobs in Korea have connections.

I would suggest making some friends before coming over. Try to have some contacts that will be willing to help you get established.

[naturegirl321]

I was short listed for a writing job in Korea. I was told that I needed to prove five years full time work experience in that field. I couldn't.

[Smee]

Concerning writing and editing jobs in Korea, I touched on that topic in a post last month:

http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2009/11/korea-tourism-organization-hiring.html

Basically, they're hard to get because the line in front of you is long. There are tons of people with experience, with experience in Korea, and with experience in Korean who are competing for these jobs. As I recommended, get started with some volunteer stuff with local papers or websites and build up some experience as you work in Korea as a teacher. Then after a few years of working hard and producing good work you might know enough people to do it full time.

[PRagic]

You'd be qualified to teach English at university in Korea, but as another poster inclined, there's a waiting list comprised of people already here and waiting to pounce.

You could give editing a shot, but from the looks of the jobs on the link provided above, why bother? The jobs just aren't worth it unless you plan on going after higher paying jobs in the future. It would appear that you have to choose a vocation and then build your experience and credentials. From the sound of the OP, you're well on your way to a career teaching. That works!

[rocket_scientist]

Hi - if you are ready to step from the passive "get a job" phase to the active "make a job" phase, you can look for markets for Moldova or Ukraine Kimchi. Last I heard most Kimchi in Korea comes from China. I think Moldova Kimchi would do quite well.

We have ship it all on the train using intermodal methods, ie refrigerated semi trailers.

The cost of local production must be low enough to offset transport costs assuming import tariffs are the same.

It looks like I have to talk to someone named Vasily and he likely wears an expensive leather coat and drives a Lexus. I'll get back to you.

[rocket_scientist]

The Chinese competition

[some waygug-in]

Another option would be to marry a Korean and become a partner in business with your spouse.

That's not something I'd recommend unless you are really sure you want to.

I know some mixed couples that run restaurants, bars or their own private tutoring business.

[hogwonguy1979]

the major publishing companies (Oxford, Cambridge et al) have foreigners working in their offices here, mostly they go out and do teacher training on the companies materials, present at kotesol etc. some sales work in getting schools to adopt books etc

hard work and not a lot of vacation time considering what most univs offer. I do know one person who worked at Oxford and wound getting promoted and transferred to their nyc office so there is potential

[l-i-v-i-n]

I applied for a corporate teaching position while I was at home in North America a few years ago, but I was rejected because I was not in Korea at the time for an interview. Three weeks later they offered me a non teaching/ non academic position without even a phone interview. (not engineering either) I still have an E-2, but I have renewed with immigration twice with no problems. The Korean Consulate in my home country questioned it initially, but nothing ever came of it.

I also know non-technical fresh graduates with no work experience that were granted E-7 visas. I think it depends on how powerful the company is that you are applying to, i.e. , how much they want you and how much they can push immigration. I still think its risky to come over here shopping for a position like that. Better to secure something before arrival.