Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading every post possible while at work to get some clear information on working in Seoul.

Firstly I am worried at the thought of even moving there now after reading peoples posts on working conditions and job opportunities!!!!

I am currently working in the property law/developer field atm after landing a kick-ass position so they say with a good (completely stuck up) company after graduating from university last year! (So i dont mind hard hours as I work at least 60 hours a week atm, havnt had a day off in the last 6 months except for 2 public holidays so working hours really dont scare me)

I did an exchange year in the middle of Taipei few years because I did a minor in chinese while studying and am fairly fluent now (BEST TIME OF MY LIFE THERE), but unfortunately (or am I lucky???) I met a girl a few years back who is korean. I tried hard to stay away knowing it would require a move at some point and as it turns out I am wanting to ask her to marry me! but before I make that decision I thought I would move with her to Korea and get to know her background, the culture, her family (ask her dad) learn a bit of korean, and really not force her to stay here.......................

So there is the story but now I am freaking out. I just started taking TESOL which is drop dead easy but is this enough to get a good job in Seoul. People are saying they take into account what you look like...I am young (23) fit and i guess fairly attractive, but a young male is what they look for???

Also I just saw on the job post EPIK said for jobs going for next FEB you need to apply now???????????? really because I wont finish my TESOL for another 3-4 weeks but I need a job in SEOUL when I go!!!!!

Also I speak chinese and have obviously learnt good strategies considering I am white and learnt fluent chinese within 3-4 years, will this help in an interview for a job?

Last thing, I have my older sisters wedding on March 26th, I most want to go to Korea (well anytime haha, I would easily leave this job for anything) but I saw Feb or Sep are the teaching periods, Sep seems to late and Feb I could only go if I get at least 5 days off to go back to Australia for my sisters wedding? going on how strict people say the private managers and the public schools are would this be a possiblity or would I get fired?????

Sorry for the long jumble of words and sentences I am at work and cant think properly with work stress but I really want to make sure I can work in SEOUL........

Any ideas on any points I made??? and any places I should search for jobs to get something within the SEOUL region by subway? I don't mind paying for people to find jobs for me?

Thanks heaps

[tanklor1]

I hope that everything works out. I'm just going to pass along one piece of information.

This is a very small country. You can usually get between any two cities within 4 or 5 hours on the bus.

I know this because I've done it multiple times. If you can't get into Seoul it wont be the end of the world.

Also Chinese, while looking good on a resume, isn't really all that useful here unless you've got Chinese friends. The characters are taught in school but pronunciation and grammar aren't.

Also don't limit yourself to Public schools. There are many fine private schools out there that are certainly worth a look.

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

Thanks for the reply,

So public schools only take intakes like EPIK etc in Feb, Sep but private schools are whenever???

Also I understand Korea would be small and don't get me wrong I would love to live somewhere else though I will be living with my gfs family so work would need to be within a distance that I can travel on a day to day basis....I work in an office on the coast here and our infrastructure is slower than our pop growth so it takes an hour to drive so I am comfortable living Korea an hour from work...where could I work up (area or city) if I live in Seoul centre and travel by subway or bus under 1 hour?

[tanklor1]

Private schools and Public schools hire year-round. The major hiring seasons for Public schools are August and February but there are many of them who hire teachers out-of-sink with the yearly routine.

If a public school goes with the "farm system" (Smoe/Gepik/Epik) they don't actually hire the teachers rather they are sent one from corporate. Many schools would rather hire their own teacher so they look for them on their own because it gives them an actual choice.

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

few thats a sign of relief!!!! so i am guessing I know I sound a bit new here! EPIK etc are like the Jet program (that japanese one). So i can apply for jobs anytime! I think I might try the private schools since people on here seem to bag them out a lot it might be easier to get a position! I am not concerned about a bad boss! couldnt be any worse then my current money sucking boss here!

[imoscardotcom]

try planet people recruiting, if you're interested in using a recruiter. most recruiters give you the "no, there aren't any jobs in seoul but I have a lovely position only 4 hours away!"
but they were different. found a seoul job for me (in the off season, too!) in about 1 day.

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

Cool! thanks for the Advice! I will give them ago ! probably not for awhile and try those 'Farm ones first' because they seem to expect really early applications......

is there an option of paying them more and they will help you more??? or is it a service where the employer pays them?