Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CtotheB]

So basically I'm looking to get a job in Korea next summer. I want to get ahead of the game and start early. What are my options? From what I understand, the best way to do this is to start talking to recruiters and schools now and to get your paperwork in order.

About me: I'm 23, I finish my Bachelor degree next spring. White male from the USA.

Firstly, can anyone tell me a little bit more about the paperwork aspect?

Criminal Background Check- State? Federal? Country? FBI? Which do you need and where/how did you get yours done?

Two references letters- Two letters basically stating how you're a good person, kind, good at teaching, responsible, etc. Right?

An apostilled copy of your degree- This one I'm not so sure of, I know that just means essentially getting it notarized, but how does one go about it?

Sealed transcripts- Literally a manila folder with your transcripts/degree audit from college in them?

Passport- Going to get this soon, how long does it take?

And I've got my head shot and resume +cover letter sorted out.

Is there Anything I'm missing?


Second, I've applied to several recruitment agencies, but haven't heard back from them yet. What other ways can I be getting ahead? I fear these agencies will never get back to me and I'll be stuck next Spring trying to scrape the bottom of the barrel for any job that starts in the summer.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[J Rock]

I'll leave it to the pros to tell you about all the documents your going to need but as for contacting a recruiters ahead of time it's probably just going to frustrate you. Planning out ahead of time in seems like the logical choice but these recruiters like to work fast. They make money by placing you in a job, so if you contact them and say your looking for a job in 8 months I feel like they would just blow you off until the time came.

That's just my opinion with these people other people may have had other experiences.

Good luck

[smjstevens]

J Rock has it right. I'm in Korea now, looking to find a new job starting in January, and the recruiters won't even talk to me because I'm trying to plan 4 months in advance. In addition to that, all your documents have to be less than 6 months old, so planning too far ahead may actually hurt you more than anything. If you really want to get a leg up, start reading up on teaching techniques (there are several great books specifically about teaching children in Asia) or start learning Korean. Even basic skills really help when you get here, and 8 months is enough time to become basically proficient if you work at it. Order your documents, especially your background check, about 3-4 months before you plan to arrive and start talking to recruiters 3 months or less before you want to be here and you'll be golden. Most schools don't post openings more than three months in advance anyway.

The only exception to this is if you want to do a government-run public school program (EPIK, GEPIK, etc.). They have certain dates every year that they place people, and they start the process about 6 months early. But if I recall correctly, they place in March and September. If you want to come in the summer, see above.

[ttompatz]

[jrwhite82]

Yeah, no recruiters will help you now. You're way to early.

Things you should do now. Start researching info about Korea. Troll these boards. Although you will hear a lot of horror stories on here, there is a lot of good advice to be learned. Most people that come to Korea have great experiences. Most people that come on Dave's have had bad ones. Don't let the Negative Nancys sway your decision to come here. Read the boards, learn from others' mistakes, that's the best way to use the info on here.

Get your passport now if you don't have one.

Wait until the end of Spring/early summer to do your CRC.

Does your university give you your diploma on the day of graduation or do you have to wait a few weeks like most schools? That is what is going to hold you up the most.

If you want to work at a public school you might miss the Summer mass hiring session unless you get your diploma really fast. They usually want you in country from early to mid August for these positions. I think the application process starts in May for these positions, but I might be incorrect on that.

That means you might have to wait for some positions to open up in whatever random public schools are out of sync with the mass hirings or wait until the following winter to get into the next mass hiring process.

Your other option is to work at a hagwon (private institute). There are 1000's of these schools and they hire year round.

[CtotheB]

Thanks ttompatz, great advice as always. I appreciate you for gracing my thread with your wisom. I've been reading these boards for about 2 years now, so I feel like a vet even though I've not actually even been to Korea, so please excuse any ignorance I may show. It's been a goal of mine to teach in Korea after school to pay off my debt and take in the world, like most others. I'm even taking Korean classes for my last two terms at University to get a little boost before I go over.

Allow me to say that I'm aware the market is tightening on Korea, so I figure any head start I can get will be a big help in the end. That's my cause for concern over the documents/recruiters/everything.

I'll make sure to follow your guide to the letter. I graduate in March 2011. I'm just applying to recruiters to get my name in their systems and to make them aware that they've got a warm body to send to a contract that seems fit for me once I'm all ready with my documents.

I'll be sure to have everything prepared, keep my eyes on the job boards and on here, and make sure I don't miss the plane to Korea.

[SandyG21]

Apply for the passport now - it can take awhile to get it - especially in the USA.

[creeper1]

Learn basic Korean and learn how to eat with chopsticks. Anything more than that is wasteful.

[ddeubel]

Have you considered a video introduction? I just blogged about an easy way to make a video intro

It is super simple and you basically only use audio but iwth your own picture/pics. My blog post walks you through it.

I know how hard it can be too, to find ALL the jobs. Jobs posted everywhere. You can see my twitter to get all the jobs in one place and stay informed.
http://twitter.com/eltjobs over 80 sites in the feed and hundreds of jobs daily.

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[CtotheB]

Thanks ddeubel, I'll bookmark it and be sure to use it once I am prepared with all my documents. I'll also head over to Kinko's and the post office tomorrow and get my passport ready.

[gogophoto]

[Weigookin74]

Dye your hair blonde, get your skin pulled tight, get a sex change to female, and forge your passport. Tell recruiters you are a blond haired north american female who is 23 years old.

[northway]

Employers aren't going to give you the time of day until you're within the 2-3 month window of opportunity for employment.