Korean Job Discussion Forums

legume85 · Joined: 22 Dec 2009

Hey everyone,

Does anyone know if there are 6 month contracts available in Korea, and which schools/recruitment agencies offer them? I'm contemplating possibly starting a 6 month contract in August or September, so I'm trying to get some info about them now. I want a school either in Seoul or around (Incheon, Suwon, etc).

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

You might get a 6 month hogwan contract, but you won't get any benefits like airfare, pension, severance pay.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Haven't looked in detail, but noticed when browsing the London Korean Embassy website, that there is the 'TALK' program for gov schools that offer 6 month contracts. 1.5 mil per month. Maybe worth checking that. Alternatively, sign for a year in a job and quit after 6 months.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

legume85 · Joined: 22 Dec 2009

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm actually already in Korea - on an E2 visa working, so airfare wouldn't be an issue. I'm thinking of relocating within Korea, but not sure if I would be able to commit to a year contract. I'll have to look around.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

legume85 · Joined: 22 Dec 2009

Thanks for the info ttompatz. Yes, August is when I would switch jobs. I would be breaking (with notice) my current contract, so I would need a LOR, I'm assuming? I figure that having an E-2 visa and already being in Korea would play in my favor. Do you know of any Hogwans in particular that hire 6 month contracts? Or is it a matter of letting them know that during the hiring process?

broken76 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

Pretty much no school is looking for a 6 month contract but schools are willing to hire for 6 months. Since you won't need airfare into the country you should be able to negotiate outgoing airfare since you'll be working half a year. Overall I'd also try to negotiate severance pay based on the time you worked so 2 weeks pay instead of six months.
I would also add a clause that would allow you to finish out a year with full benefits if both you and the school agree to it later on.
It's doable, but again it's also something you'll need to really talk to the school about. Overall it won't cost them any more or less to hire you for six months and considering when you'll be finished even if you only do six months you'll be finishing up as the school year ends which should work out fairly well for the school.

LikeFrostOnRoads · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

I'm in a related position... so my question is... how exactly do you find these jobs if they aren't being advertised?

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

magnolialove · Joined: 21 Mar 2010

I'm pretty sure CEPIK does 6 month contracts. There are a handful of recruiters who hire for them, but you might have to do some digging around to find them.

TheChingu · Joined: 08 May 2010

Anyone have any experiences with extensions?

I was thinking of extending my contract with EPIK, maybe 6 months. I'd rather not commit to a full year as I'd like to do some traveling abroad or maybe get a job up north and experience Seoul

Any ideas? Are hagwons my only choice? I've heard EPIK doesnt place into the Seoul area.

LikeFrostOnRoads · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

Should I avoid explaining my interests to the recruiters? Or should I avoid recruiters altogether?

pikachun1 · Joined: 09 May 2010

i actuall think there are contracts where they pay for airfare and the rest. really rare though.