Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Isehtis]

I've been looking for a position for about three weeks now I've posted my resume on two sites and contacted lots of recruiters and jobs on Craigslist, I get the initial reply that they've got me on their system and they'll contact me shortly. One recruiter set me up an interview with a school, didn't get a call, the day after I got an email from the recruiter that they'd decided to go with someone with more experience.

I'm white, British, graduated from a decent Uni, 22 years old, my photograph is me in a shirt smiling against a white background, wouldn't say I'm particularly bad looking or anything, definitely no piercings/tattoo's/menacing glare...

I've got no teaching experience or teaching qualifications so I guess that works against me, but on the plus side:

Willing to work almost anywhere, somewhere *near* Seoul would be nice but I'm open to others.

Willing to accept lower wage positions- I figure in my first year there who cares about saving money?

I've worked with children before as a scuba diving instructor. (Don't know if that'll actually count for much mind)

I have my documentation assembled, visa form is ready but obviously I can't fill it out till I have a contract.




So help me out here, is there something that I'm missing or are things really this bad nowadays? I've read that there's fewer and fewer jobs there but I find it hard to believe I'm literally getting nothing... Maybe someone could suggest a good recruiter (God knows how many I've emailed my Resume to...) or even an open position? Or is it an option of flying to Korea *then* getting a job? Sounds a bit risky to me but I'm desperate to get out there.

[Konglishman]

[oldfatfarang]

Tourism is flat - worldwide. The economic recession is really hurting (my business in particular).

TEFL is a far better choice at the moment.

[creeper1]

The above posts are to be ignored. Anyone know how hard it is to get a residency or investment visa in the Philippines?

With regard to your problem OP, don't come here if you have never had an E-2 visa before because your first one must be issued in London. You must be home to receive it.

To get a job, you have to be flexible. Consider ANYWHERE. Look at hagwons. Apply directly. Bother recruiters. You'll get something eventually.

[northway]

I'm starting to get the feeling that all these people wondering why they aren't finding jobs are coming up short because they don't want to work at hagwons and/or are demanding Seoul only. I work at a school that really isn't bad, about a half hour to Samgakji, and we just got two new teachers.

[Isehtis]

I've read other threads like this and all of them had a pre-requisite for a job, either working with a certain age range or a certain location. I'd prefer to be within a few hours travel from Seoul but really I'm happy enough elsewhere.

I've read the posts from a year or so ago when people were getting jobs hours after posting their resumes, so I'm not sure if it's just a fallen market or if there's something wrong that I've not realised yet...

[schlotzy]

Are you sending them a resume, cover letter and photo when you apply?

I don't mean to be a jerk, but maybe you've put something bad in your resume/ cover letter without realizing it?? (In the sense that it would be something you wouldn't know was strange without having already been in Korea.)

And yeah, the market is flooded. People here, including myself, have teaching certifications and/or masters degrees with years of experience. Don't expect to get the first job you apply to because it might take a bit longer now. Wait it out and just keep applying You'll get something eventually.

[LDJS]

Same here.

Been here 7 years and have a TEFL. that means no ps want to hire me now and recruiters are only offering me interviews with very rural ps or semi rural haggie jobs. and it;s tough just to get those interviews. I've had several email promises for thos einterviews but no actual interviews yet...

Last year I was turning down offers I had so many...

These days my inbox is bare...

Recruiter asked me do I want an interview witha school in Gyeongi do. After I replies she said 'the job has moved to Kyeonsanamdo.

Well no it didn't, you just bagged a 23 yr old NA blondie for pennies and now you're offering me your crap that said 23 yr old blondies don't want.

I've been told it's due to a HUGE INLFUX of new recently graduated applicants. Bearin mind S.Africa has around 25% unemployment and a recent grad from there is more than happpy to work for 1.9....

[Radius]

[creeper1]

Look mate, DON'T come here without a job. See my previous post. No you aren't doing anything wrong. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A DEPRESSION.That's why the market is flooded. Be patient.

If you can't be patient then try China.

[AsiaESLbound]

Wow, I guess I'm lucky to have scored a job earlier this year. Times are increasingly rough. It's definitely a bust when we were expecting a boom after 10 lousy years to start the 21st century. And I was expecting an upturn by 2010, but it seems things are only getting worse around the world as pessimistic as that sounds. Those looking for jobs in Korea are sounding like the experience I had back home for years where you apply to many jobs, get auto responses, and it goes nowhere. At times, I was ready to throw my computer out the window for it didn't seem to work like talking to people, but so many companies put this barrier up by making it where online applications are the only way to apply. It only works when there's a job to fill and the timing is right. Timing is critical in making your application and that's often a big cloud.

Keep trying plan A. I found it takes more than 10 attempts to get what you want. Do include photo, nationality, age, and gender even though you wouldn't apply for a job in that fashion back home.

[cert43]

Iam sorry to say this so bluently: but you guys are doing this all wrong.

If you want the job that badely,then why don't you call the rectuiter/hagwon yourselves( most ads list numbers) and they do get prob. hundreds of applications a day. They prob don't have time to go through EVERY single resume, (let alone make dozens of phone calls) to all these applicates.

It doesn't cost much ( 12 cents/min via skype),won't take but prob ten minutes..and hell, it sure beets WAITING around fir them to call you.

[caniff]

[cert43]

i]Jee-bus[/i]....., just walk away from the keyboard right now before it starts to fight back.

Ouch.[/quote]

or??...you might could just say thanks for the advice..?
That was so kind and thoughful of you.

Geez..is right!!

[soundnin]

i am totally beating myself up right now. OP, i'm in the same boat, completely open minded to location, student age group, salary, etc. but i can't find anything (been emailing for about 3 weeks now as well).

i'm beating myself up because last year, when i first started thinking about moving to korea, i actually got a position pretty fast in bundang that i was satisfied with. i had to defer due to my work here state side. when i finished my work here, the position was no longer available.

whoever says china is a good alternative is right. i sent out one email to a school in china in these 3 weeks (VS at least 100 for korea) and got a phone interview and contract offer within a week.