Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kwangjuchicken]

[Scott in Incheon]

Inha University had some interviews last week and has a few today as well. They should be making their decision sometime this week.

[Kwangjuchicken]

PS: I just noticed my post started page. 13. Well, I just gotta be me

[jackson7]

I had interviews with Kyungwon, Inha U (Business Admin. Dept.), Inha Tech, KAU, CUK, and Sookmyung Women's U. I know Inha Tech, KAU, and Sookmyung have made decisions (I received offers from them). Don't know about the other three, however. I received all offers within 24 hours, so I had the luxury of making a contract choice rather than turning down a school and rolling the dice on a future offer. It was a tough decision, though, as each school offered very similar compensation packages, and provided their own advantages/disadvantages. Good luck to everyone in the uni process this term, and remember that there will likely be some late ads coming out in December/January (and some as late as February!), so don't give up, and keep those resumes/cover letters polished and ready!

J7

[Poker]

[jackson7]

Thanks for the congratulations. As far as qualifications go, I have an M.S.Ed. in TESOL and three years in Korea split evenly between a hagwon and a uni. I also spent another year in mixed teaching/admin positions at the American University of Iraq. I speak Korean (learned here) and just received notice of my first article being accepted for publication. I'm awaiting acceptance (fingers crossed) to several applied linguistics Ph.D. programs that will allow me to do most of my research here in Korea while only undertaking 1-2 month residencies during summer and/or winter vacations.

Interviewing: In my case, I've always found that if I get an interview, I've got a great shot at the job. On that note, I believe teaching demos should showcase you, not the material. I've been on the other side of the interview desk, and we looked for candidates that could present, hold attention, and were coherent in their speech (you might be surprised how many prospective teachers talk in circles peppered with 'umms' and 'uuuhs'). Smile. Be nice. These seem like simple things, but I've met a lot of interviewees recently that were downright mean. I imagine they weren't offered jobs. Being nice and smiling is especially important if some or all of your interviewers speak less than great English.

Qualifications: You can't usually get an interview without these. Be working on them whenever possible. Ever notice those sections on university applications that are left empty? In my case, it was "publications." I've been working to fill that with at least one item, and now have. Join professional organizations, gain certifications, publish, get a graduate degree (or two), and attend conferences. Conference attendance won't just be something you can use to bulk up your CV (if needed), but it will offer you chances to network, which can be very helpful in the uni hunt in Korea. Networking without qualifications, though, can be tough, and won't likely land you a job at the best unis (my experience prior to gaining better qualifications).

The last thing I'd recommend is to be here. I came back and spent 2 months here on a tourist visa in order to be available for interviews. I was lucky that my salary in Iraq allowed me to do this, but I do think that it's very important. When I applied for September positions while still in Iraq, I received only two phone interviews (which don't allow me to showcase my interview strengths) and many, many rejections stating my residence outside Korea as a major negative.

Life in Korea is good, but it's great when you work at a university (and stellar when you work at good a uni alongside great people, teaching wonderful students). Put yourself in a position to get a handful of interviews and you'll likely find yourself enjoying Korea more than you ever had before!

J7

[swashbuckler]

[Hugo85]

[sundizz]

[jackson7]

You can find very high quality journals in which to publish here in Korea, as well as abroad. For both publishing and professional development (including graduate education), I would say that your first step is to join KOTESOL and TESOL. Both of these organizations can offer assistance and point you in the right direction.

There are so many quality graduate TESOL degrees these days (both distance and residence-based), but I recommend doing your homework. Are you more interested in the theory or practice? Perhaps you'd like a program that combines both (my preference).

A friend of mine is doing his MA in literary linguistics while another is doing translation studies. Both of these will certainly help them land (or for them, move up in the uni world) uni jobs in Korea while also allowing them to pursue fields in which they are most interested. Research and compare a handful of programs before making your final decision, and most of all, enjoy the journey of graduate school and your final thesis!

J7

[Seoulman69]

Today I received an email from Kyungwon Uni asking me to submit a video interview. I had earlier received an email from them saying "thanks but no thanks."

[hogwonguy1979]

[Seoulman69]

[Thiuda]

[Milwaukiedave]

Beware of Namseoul University....The staff will screw with you and they will give you crappy dirty housing.