Korean Job Discussion Forums

[acrocs]

Just seeing if anyone else has had this problem.

I have sent about 10 emails to agents seeking a position in Korea, with only 1 replying. In my email, all I have asked for is a coastal area, the city can be any size, and a bit of creative freedom.

I have 2 years experience in korea already, 4 years in other countries.

I guess I could be asking too much, but I thought schools were crying out for teachers!

[ttompatz]

[blonde researcher]

With a big increase of incoming applicants from USA etc, all the employers all over Korea are getting very picky, including EPIK and public schools.
No matter what your experience; if you fit the 'older' fatter' or less attractive group, or you are the 'wrong gender' that is not a young female with a North American accent, you may be out of luck with even getting a reply from a recruiter, especially so if they think you could be difficult to place or are expecting a salary over 2.1 million. EPIK jobs have driven salaries down, NOT UP in 2009.

I also know that someone with a previous 'left early' contract or a 'history' at a hagwon may not make the cut. EPIK definitely phones previous employers in Korea and a director is believed first, what ever the truth.
Be more direct in your approach and email again the recruiters you originally sent your resume to, to ask them to respond with a 'truthful' answer as to your chances.

[pangaea]

Kimnjoe recruits for Busan and may have positions available on Geoje Island. You might also try the yahoo group rhymeswithjeju and ask if anyone knows who to contact regarding a job on the island. I think there is a recruiter that specifically places on Jeju. You may also be able to get the email address for the EPIK contact on the island. I think her name is Ria.

[noobteacher]

Shane at Candian Connections is great and one of his major areas is Jeollandam which has a lot of coastal cities/islands where its harder to find teachers so may provide a little more teaching freedom than schools in larger cities. May be worth it to get in touch with him.

[Cayne]

Post your resume here and a few other places. Respond to job ads here that sound like they might suit you. You'll get more attention than you'll know what to do with, and have recruiters calling you all hours of the freakin' night.

I thought things seemed kind of hopeless what with the glut of public school applicants and what not, but it's evidently not as bad as people are saying. If you put a little effort into it and stick with it, you can find a decent job.

[acrocs]

Thank you for the information everyone. It seems the situation has changed a bit, last time I had agents calling me 5 minutes after I sent the email.

I am starting to find that applying directly to schools is resulting in more luck. And I will try some of those agents mentioned. I still would have thought that it would have been in the agents best interest to put forward as many names to companies as they could to increase their chances of filling the position.

[curlygirl]

[blonde researcher]

I have heard that a fair number of the popular location public schools offering GEPIK positions are hiring direct and going direct to agents and saying.... " only send me an applicant who has this ..this .. and... this.... The schools would certainly be giving this instruction to many agents to cover all bases and to get a selection of ' perfect people'!

This would mean that the school would only look at perfect applicants and NOT a bulk lot or resumes. Also if the school asks 10 diferent agents to find a perfect person, and if the job is in Bundang, then they will get what they are looking for pretty quick. BUT if the job is in a more remote GEPIK area and no subway is close by then the school may accept the fist and best person put forward.
I can imagine there are a lot of desperate recruiters going door to door in Seoul right now trying to get 'their' applicants placed first.
Hagwons would have to be working the same way, especially if they are in popular Seoul or Busan locations.