Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jknoblock]

I am finishing up teaching at a Hagwan down in Naju. It is about 3.5 hours from Seoul by Express bus. I talked to my employer, and have agreed to extend my contract for two months till June 15...at which time I will be flown home as agreed on before. I am in the process of looking for jobs in the Seoul area for next September teaching at a University.

My qualifications are: I have a Masters Degree in Economics, 4 semesters of college teaching experience as a grad student, 150 hours of TESOL, plus my 14 months at a Hagwan.

I have several questions for anyone that can help me:

1) Will I be able to find a University Job in the Seoul area for September 2010 by June 15? If not, what would my best course of action be?

2) If I do find a job by the 15th of June, is it wise to leave the country for 2 months and then come back like I am planning to do?

3) When do jobs for September begin posting?

4) Any advice on references?

5) Where do you start looking?

6) Because my current job is so far from Seoul, how flexible will the Universities be on interviewing with me? Will the give me an early Monday morning interview or better yet, a Saturday interview?

7) I've heard you need a big deposit for key money to live in Seoul. I'm just now getting out of debt, and don't have that kind of money. What's the solution?

I've been reading the importance of networking, and I'm doing what I can in that way. Any other advice that you think would help is welcomed as well.

I know this is a lot of questions. If you could answer any, I'd appreciate it!

[seonsengnimble]

[teachingld2004]

Universities most likely hire only if you are in the country. And many hire at the last minute because people back out.

These days so many people are looking for jobs, that interviews are done in person.

Universities may not pay for your airfare, so what you can do is when you get your ticket to go home, turn it into a round trip.

It can not hurt to send resumes out now and say you would like to start in September. Request an interview now. They may remember you when they are looking to hire some one.

[Milwaukiedave]

I'll take a crack at answering in terms of my own opinion:

1) Will I be able to find a University Job in the Seoul area for September 2010 by June 15? If not, what would my best course of action be?

It is possible to find a job by June 15th, whether that happens or not really depends on too many factors to give you a clear answer. I would advise applying to as many universities as possible early on (see below) and watch the deadlines very carefully.

2) If I do find a job by the 15th of June, is it wise to leave the country for 2 months and then come back like I am planning to do?

If you find a job, you'd probably need to be back toward the end of August as most universities have department meetings prior to the term starting. You would also would need to take care of anything having to do with your new visa before coming back to Korea. I'd make sure after you are offered the job, the univerisity hiring you is aware you will be gone for a few months.

3) When do jobs for September begin posting?

Early to mid April as of last year. I would start looking around the second week of April, especially given the fact you need to get a job before mid June.

4) Any advice on references?

Make sure you have soild references of people that will stick up for you when asked about your personality or teaching abilities.

5) Where do you start looking?

I look at the Korean job postings on Dave's ESL, but as someone else pointed out networking can help too.

6) Because my current job is so far from Seoul, how flexible will the Universities be on interviewing with me? Will the give me an early Monday morning interview or better yet, a Saturday interview?

It really depends on the university and their scheduling. All you can do is ask. I found some are more accomodating then others.

7) I've heard you need a big deposit for key money to live in Seoul. I'm just now getting out of debt, and don't have that kind of money. What's the solution?

I think this one was addressed well by someone else. You are right, most universities in Seoul will only give a housing allowence. Even that is getting meager.

[PatrickGHBusan]

As a former University Teacher and as someone who was on a few hiring committees at the university...here goes

1) Will I be able to find a University Job in the Seoul area for September 2010 by June 15? If not, what would my best course of action be?

Theoretically you could find a job but if you are not in country when applying your chances of landing a University job in September are low, especially since you focus only on Seoul, thereby limiting your options.

Best course of action: apply while in country.

Also not that September is not the peak hiring season for Universities. They tend to hire for March and do son from November to January for the most part.

Best course of action part 2: land a job in September at a hakwon or PS, aplly from Korea for next march at numerous universtities.


2) If I do find a job by the 15th of June, is it wise to leave the country for 2 months and then come back like I am planning to do?

If you land a job before leaving then great. Leaving the country is not an issue but note that many universities will not pay for airfare.


3) When do jobs for September begin posting?

Now until late spring for the most part.

4) Any advice on references?

If you want your hakwon experience considered you need a reference from the employer. Otherwise, the university may just choose to ignore the experience.

Other references should include one academic reference, a professor from your old Economics Department for example.

5) Where do you start looking?

You look up a list of Universtities and apply directly to them by sending them your resume and a cover letter. No need to wait for ads to do this.

6) Because my current job is so far from Seoul, how flexible will the Universities be on interviewing with me? Will the give me an early Monday morning interview or better yet, a Saturday interview?

The inverview will be at the Universty's convenience. It is basically up to you to adapt to this. If you have work issues you can discuss this with the representative of the university and try to schedule the interview at a more convenient time but note that you are not the only applicant and that many universties get flooded with applicants with all that this implies.

7) I've heard you need a big deposit for key money to live in
Seoul. I'm just now getting out of debt, and don't have that kind of money. What's the solution?

1- Expand your search to places other than Seoul...they are cheaper

2- Yogwans, some universities offer dorm stay for a set period...