Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nickyb]

Hey guys, just wondering if it is generally a good idea to just go to SK on a one-way trip, stay at a hostel or wherever, and try to negotiate/check out various schools in Seoul/Busan? (as opposed to try and negotiate from home)

I'm a 26 y/o male, finishing my BS in finance in December, have minimal teaching experience, and was thinking of just flying to SK in late Jan/early Feb and carrying out my plan of teaching English for a year. (possibly with my brother doing the same thing as me)

Any advice for me? What is the average salary I would probably be able to negotiate when there? What cities do you guys recommend and why? What forms would I need to bring with me? Also, would I be able to get a job right away or does the school year start at some other time in SK? Thank you very much in advance!!!!

[Kimchifart]

You'll most likely find it almost impossible to get the person in charge of the hiring at no notice. It might happen, but I would think you're chances are better by paper applications. You're going to get visa hassles doing it that way too.

[northway]

You have to get the visa in your home country, so you'd have to fly to Guam once you got here. You might be able to find an ASAP position (I did), but considering that people with experience who are already in country are having trouble finding jobs, it might be a risky road to take at this point.

[DeMayonnaise]

They might not even let you in the country, either. Ameircans get 90 days on a tourist visa, if you have a return ticket. If you have a one way ticket, and no visa, the airline back in the states probably won't give you a boarding pass.

[goingtothecountry]

[Kimchifart]

You'll get in the country, but you'll be screwed when you get here.

[youtuber]

Where does your negotiating power come from? No teaching experience, unrelated degree, oversupply of teachers......in short you will not be able to negotiate. You will take what you get.

You will have the advantage of checking out the schools. However, overseas hires sometimes get better benefits than in-country hires. Not logical, I know, but true.

Because of your lack of teaching experience or qualifications, and because of the huge oversupply of teachers, I think it would be a very poor choice to just fly over to Korea and expect to find decent employment. Save your money and time.

[northway]

[nickyb]

ahhh alright i gotcha, maybe i wont be just going over there on a whim. ill just try to attain a job from home. i know this is off topic, but what do you guys think about the JET program? is that feasible? or is it dying?

[PeteJB]

I've had that question a few times in Japan, too. Airlines are so nosy about your business. Leave it to immigration, clerks.