Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ZeroGravitas]

I'm a 24 year old graduate currently living in Cardiff with my girlfriend, and we have decided that we would like to move to South Korea to teach ESL. I've spent the last week trawling the internet looking for any information I can get my hands on, but I still have a few questions, and would really appreciate some advice from people who have worked and lived in South Korea.

Owing to the fact that we already know some people living there, we have decided to try and find work in Seoul, and want to share an apartment. Is this a realistic goal given the amount of people trying to find work in Seoul? And if it is, what sort of time-scale should we be expecting before we find a job?

We haven't submitted any applications yet, but I'm looking at Korvia recruitment at the moment, and they seem like the best way for us to go. Are they as good as they look?

And on a less serious note, I've heard that beards don't go down too well in south Korea. am I really going to have to shave it off to find a job? Im willing to do what it takes to find the right job, but I must admit I'm rather fond of my facial hair

Anyway, hope one of you can give me the answers im looking for, thanks for reading!

[SeoulNate]

There are quite a few couple positions in Seoul at any given time which are advertised in a number of different locations. IMO you should apply to any such job, or any job that looks like it may have two openings at the same school; you never know, they just may want to hire a couple.

As far as the recruiter goes, I would not trust them completely with finding you a couple position. My girlfriend and I came back for our third year and the best advice i can give you is to not sick with one single source. Look here, on craigslist and various other sites. Don't worry about using only one recruiter; talk to three or four different ones if it will improve your job searching.

On the beard, it will be hit or miss. Some schools will tell you to shave it (or maybe not even look past your picture as an applicant) others might not care too much one way or the other. However, ALMOST all Korean people you work with, and the management, will not really approve of it, even if they allow it. My advice, shave it and send that picture to the schools, then let it grow back after you get here.

[vincentmiser]

Good advice.

Also, some recruiters will tell you 'You are only allowed to use one recruiter'

This is bollocks. You can use as many as you like. They only get paid when they find you a job. If they are slack, they miss out. And don't be afraid to say no. VERY important.

There are some postings that say 'couples welcome'

[fugitive chicken]

I was sort of recruited through KorVia. I did a TESOL cert in Thailand with American TESOL Institute and they collaborated with Korvia to help me find a job.

They were alright. I got a placement right away and they were fairly professional about it...however, communication between the recruiter and the school was a little iffy. Another friend who went the same way I did arrived in Korea and her school wasn't told she had arrived, so she stayed at another mutual friend's place while her apartment was readied.

I would say make sure your recruiter is communicating with the school and keep on them for that, and if at all possible talk to the school personally. rspecially if you go the korvia route. but definitely look into other options as well. when a school expresses interest, look into it and make sure its a good school that wont screw you over. I was recruited into a public school, and that has good benefits and if your school tries to pull something on you, you have help.

Also, if you work at 2 different schools, one school takes care of the apartment while the other pays you the monthly rent as required in the contract...if you wanna make a little more dough.

[thegreg52]

I've heard good things about Korvia, but I don't think they'll get you one apartment. They'll get you a job working for the Korean government, most likely GEPIK is you want to be in Seoul. All of the couples I've seen come here have different places. You can only get a single apartment to share if you're married. The couples, however, are always placed very very close to each other.

[Hardy Boy]

Take the plunger.

And follow these three tips:

1. Make sure you dont get the shaft.

2. You may have to use it to loosen a blockage but if you can't take that *beep* then just try to flush it down the toilet.

3. When a plunger is ineffective, there are chemical substitutes that can corrode so use sparingly unless absolutely needed to get past the *beep*.

[luckysharms]

I wanted to get a shared apartment with my girlfriend in Seoul initially as well. We were told by our recruiter that only married couples can share an apartment in Seoul, so we got stuck in Incheon (it's not as bad as most people say it is).

As for the beard - I've only had compliments when I don't shave for a few days. Some people will say I look "tough", but it's meant in a good way. I guess it depends on the school and the admin.

Good luck!

[SeoulNate]

[seoulsucker]