Korean Job Discussion Forums

[comeonyo]

ok...this is starting to get to me and I have been following the topics on this board for awhile. I have been following tips and overall, I learned a lot from this forum. However, after 3 months of searching for the right job....I just cant seem to get any offers (besides 2 that I was not interested in). I know I shouldn't be picky, but I would like to have some say in where I wish to work. Correct? or am I just being plain selfish and stubborn?

I have applied to many places...directly to hagwons and to recruiters, yet, I received no replies. The 2 other choices were for a place in Gimpo, in which I was not fond of the area. The other was ICEV, which had many negative comments.

So tell me...is it because I'm a gyopo or because I have no prior teaching experience? I just think this year will be my last opportunity to work in Korea because I will be going back to school for a program next year. Then...I might start my new career and I will never have the experience to teach in Korea.

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

Between the two possible explanations you are proposing, it's probably more that because you're a gyopo that you're not finding luck. Experience would matter squat if you were the coveted blond hair-blue eye combo. Add in the shitty international economy into the equation, dumping plenty of unemployed people (read: "English teachers") into the job market and bingo! You've pretty much answered the question.

[cert43]

No, they would have to pay you more because of you have Kyopo status.
New Career? Assuming your are probably are bilingual, you should be able to something more corporate related ( LLC, Accounting, Administrative, Medical Proffessions) or hell..even cosmostology..( you know Korean Fields)..but def,not ESL.

and if you not bilingual,I guess you'll get stuck teaching "English"with
all the blond haired people. lol. Actually,I am really surprised this question got asked..as most Kyops are already fully aware of this factor ( and how the darker hair preference works in MOST international industries (espically those based outta Asian countries). I mean c'mon think about it...really. What you want that "look" in your corporation dealing with your high-profile clients?

[comeonyo]

well, im not trying to start a career in korea...im going to enter a program in the US next year...so far the time being, i just want to teach in korea (something I have wanted to do). If I do not teach this year, then its most likely never.

[dirving]

[cert43]

But,you are a Kyopo.... ( Half-Korean)
It is not like you actually need to go abroad to experience
Kimichi ( your childhood 'staple food").
This is your motherland..aren't there unknown privileges?


If you really want to teach,I would suggest privates or hagwon managment..

[comeonyo]

oh yea...like im going for the cultural experience......

jkjk I just want to go for a year...think about it...if you're 23 an you have 1 year left before going back to school, wouldn't you want to spend that 1 year going to another country? For me, it's Korea and why not do something that I have wanted to do for awhile? plus, make extra cash and have fun...I already have a job here in NY, but I'd rather go to Korea during the 1 year I have left before going back to school.

[cert43]

I guess..not sure if someone was a Kyopo

why they would waste thier time in a US-based company? You can def

make more in Korea.

NY is as good as/better then Seoul ( well,depends on the area,I guess)

and doesn't Asiana have an office based outta NY?

www.koreadaily.com/ -You might find something here ( had good luck with some Korean companies in Atlanta)

[dirving]

@comeonyou: Worknplay Korea; pusanweb.com; daveseslcafe.com; Korea Herald; Korea Times; and the Chosun Ilbo. I should also point to the fact that nearly all of the recruiters in this country and the seven eligible Western nations send me vacant teaching positions lists all the time that have lots of adverts that state: "Gyopos only!"

No offence intended, but most of the Gyopos I've met can not communicate well in English and should be students of English as opposed to trying to teach this language. More than a few directors and agents are hip to this fact.

A lot of Gyopos are just plain bad news. Many, many of them are very racist troublemakers who hate Whites and Blacks; too, too many others are druggies, gang members with very serious criminal records, or only come here to party and to have sex with Korean women.

I'm not suggesting that you are one of these types. It's possible that the agents and/or directors you've run into have had too many poor experiences with people like the aforementioned to ever again be free of prejudice about this ethnic group. Just a thought, and keep trying!

Take care.

Sincerely,

Dirving

[comeonyo]

thanks dirving

u do have good points and i can certainly understand a few things you said about the stereotypical view of a gyopo.

[toph]

@OP

Well, I'm a gyopo also so maybe I can help...

First, continue to apply directly. Don't waste your time with recruiters UNLESS they are working for jobs that are gyopo-only. Second, look for jobs that are gyopo-only/F4 visa-only (some might say gyopo/F4 welcome/preferred). Don't even look at other jobs, cause those hagwons are most likely going to favor a white-American over a gyopo any day. Third, this is up to you...but I recommend getting a TEFL cert. This will open up more hagwon-jobs, and will get you more $$$. There are really cheap options (ITTT is pretty popular here on Dave's, but I didn't use it so I dunno). Lastly, get an F4 visa. This will open up more opportunities to work at hagwons that want gyopo, and will greatly help you when you actually get to Korea if you happen to run into any problems with your job. (FYI, check to see if you're eligible for an F4 here: http://www.chicagoconsulate.org/en/sub03/sub03_01.php). Just scroll down to the F4 section.

And the best way to look for gyopo-only jobs is by looking for them online. There are tons of esl-job posting sites online (e.g., www.esljobs.me, www.jobs.justlanded.com, craigslist, etc). Just look for them through google, and when you get to the site search keywords like "gyopo" or "f4". Here's a site that I'm using right now: http://esloutlet.com/koreajob.php Also, Dave's lists jobs as well. Just search for "gyopo/kyopo" or "f4/f-4" in the job post.

Oh, and just cause you don't have experience doesn't mean anything. Most teachers that come to Korea don't have any experience. I don't have any experience, and I'm almost 99% sure that I'm going to get a job. So don't worry about it....just continue to do your research, and you'll find a job. Also, if you have family in Korea that will help as well. I'm personally getting my F4 and job in Korea...I'm not even going to bother using job-sites anymore. It's all too much of a hassle~~

[toph]

Forgot to mention...but with the gyopo jobs you should also be sure to get ALL the accommodations a regular foreigner would get in their contract:
1. housing/housing allowance*
2. pay of at least 2.0mil (which is still low with a hagwon job, but it's good pay nonetheless)
3. severance, pension, national insurance
4. no weekends/Saturdays**
5. round-trip ticket
6. vacation time...

*This depends on you, cause you may have family that you can live with so you might now need housing.
**Again, depends on you, cause you might not care about working on weekends.

[dirving]

Toph's advice is superb. The F-Series visas are the ticket to making a decent living here. See if you are eligible for an F-4 Visa as this will allow you to greatly increase your monthly income and quit working for a crooked employer who should be known instead as a slave driver. Trust me, they are a dime a dozen over here.

You could attach posters to streetlights, apartment message boards, and the like for tutoring gigs. They are a somewhat common way for Koreans who can communicate in English to supplement their incomes. You could make as much as 60 to 70 k for an hour teaching a child in his/her home. Hell, if the kid's buddies want to join the class, then charge an extra 20k per student. Even high school dropouts who have Korean ancestry and a fake degree make good money as English tutors. Crikey, I wish that I were of Korean heritage and could get an F-4!

Good luck!

Dirving

[comeonyo]

I am eligible for F4, but is it possible if i can apply in Korea? or will i need it when i apply for jobs?

as for the TEFL (sp?), I rather not get it because I am not trying to make education as a career.

thanks guys for the help

[ThingsComeAround]

OP- you could come here early especially if you have family with the F-4 visa. If you are male, try to check if you are in the country register (try to avoid army service)
TEFL cert gives you a pay bump. Go for it, and try to get a higher salary.
If you apply for public school your odds at finding a job may improve. I know many Gyopos in my city, in public and some surrounding hagwons- CANADA is right about the blond/blue eyed demand. That is what moms want. In public school, the co-teachers+principal make the call and they'd rather deal with a Korean face 99% of the time.

dirving said some pretty ignorant stuff earlier. Sorry bout that poster but that happens on Daves from time to time