Korean Job Discussion Forums

[twospoonsmv]

[mimi belle]

Recruiters want to work with who their clients are asking for, as well as what is easiest for them to place. Just look for a different one if that's what you are getting. There are recruiters who have been telling people not to bother if they're over a certain age. I guess the general theory going around these days is that if you're good-looking and young, you'll get placed sooner. If you're wondering why the preference? Hagwons (after-school cram programs) offer private lessons that parents pay for voluntarily. It seems that some mothers prefer their kids to learn from westerners who "look" western.

Do you have all your paperwork together? In case you didn't know, there's a lot of paperwork you need. (Diploma, criminal record check, etc.) If you have yours ready, that seems to help too.

If you're interested in going through EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE then I think they are taking applications now for early 2011 placement. These are public school placement programs. If you want to go this way, look into Korvia. They seem to have a decent rep. (I believe you can also apply on your own.) One thing to know - I think you cannot apply to the same program through different recruiters or you'll be disqualified. For example, only apply to EPIK once. You can apply to different programs though. FYI, SMOE is for public schools in Seoul. GEPIK for Gyeongi which is the province outside Seoul. EPIK is for the rest of korea. But look into this yourself. You'll find other threads here with more info.

If you need a job sooner, then you probably do need to keep trying different recruiters or look for job listings on your own.

[twospoonsmv]

[hondaicivic]

[rookieglobetrotter]

I'm part asian american and have worked in PS for almost 2 years. I am a bit tanner than the average korean but some still think I am Korean and for any racist ones I ignore them or give them a whatchalookinatfool look.

I know and have seen other asian americans in the PS orientations so that would probably be the best bet. I haven't taught at a uni or a good hagwon although (I would like to try) so I can't really speak from that position.

I think if you get everything really early, show that you are flexible on your apps, be organized and have all your docs in multiples and in order. The picture is also very important you send, I heard even Koreans like lighten their pictures lol. But anyway yeah just be open-minded, flexible, and have a good attitude so it looks like you work well with kids and you have a good shot. Honestly if I learned more Korean (which I am slowly doing) I could prob fit right in here like a local.

Then again I am not sure how the job markets are looking here but doesnt hurt to get apps in early. I'm looking to go back to the US when the economy recovers too, anyone know when that will be, haha

[jizza]

I know for a fact that there are Asian-Americans teaching English in Seoul, many of whom aren't as qualified degree-wise as you are. Heck, there are black Americans here teaching English. What makes you think you can't?
(Not that blacks can't, just that they're probably discriminated against even more than South Asians are and yet they're still here doing fine)

Go for it, OP. You may face discrimination at some places but if you really want to work in Korea, just be persistent and make it so.

Be super-prepared, flexible, and present yourself well and you'll find something eventually. Goodluck.

I'm Asian-American btw and have worked at an academy for >1 year.

[Caffeinated]

Lots of Asian-Americans at the public school orientation, including gyopos and Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese descent from what I could tell.

[le-paul]

my two pennies worth,

i know a guy who is chinese/english - school love him
a girl from thailand - school love her
a girl from taiwan - everyone loves her (including me)
and ive know a few korean/americans who dont seem to have had any problems other than they got paid a bit less (cos of a visa or something which i didnt really want to delve into).
A Cambodian/american girl - she was just another girl with the same problems as all girls
etc etc.
in short i dont think any of them had it any worse than I do on the whole.




these are just my observations/experiences of meeting asians from outside of korea.

[grant gerstners]

I'm Filipino-American. My father was European-American and my mother is from the Philippines. I got a job through JJ recruiting. I was told I would enhance my chances of getting a job if I was willing to work in a rural area, which is exactly where I ended up. I considered my age the bigger obstacle (I am almost 48 years old and I arrived in South Korea early in June).

I know a Vietnamese-American in her 20's from Philadelphia working at a Hakwon in Gwangju.

You shoudn't have any problems getting a job.

[kissdisap]

My wife & I are Chinese-American and are currently working with SMOE. Met a lot of other Asians at our orientation - Vietnamese, Koreans, Chinese, Filipino, etc. I don't think you'll have any problems...

Then again, my only experience is with the public school system. I'm sure the hagwons will have different hiring requirements...

[millyfrend]

It's probably better for you to teach in South Korea. Sometimes bad things happens like the economy and you take it as a good thing. Think positive. You get a job in South Korea, you get to try new food, see new people, experience things you wouldn't experience in the U.S.

Everyone is different, so opinions and views are different. The only way you will know for sure is if you try it yourself.

[natalia930]

I'm getting the impression that race isn't a super big deal if you are working in public school...I'm shooting for a hagwon job, I'm also half Filipina half Caucasian - anyone have stories out there about being biracial and working (or failing to land a job) at a hagwon?

[twospoonsmv]

[northway]

[natalia930]

Feeling anxious/discouraged. Have teaching experience (though not english - don't a lot of environmental ed/science teaching in classrooms) - is this going to count for ANYTHING? Or should I just photoshop my hair so its blonde -_-