Korean Job Discussion Forums

[J Leach]

Hi

I have read elsewhere regarding job search for those already in Korea that self-introduction through door-knocking, "cold calling", as it were, is quite sufficient, and the use of an agency quite unnecessary.

Can anybody give their opinion on this?

Apologies if this is an oft-repeated question (!)

...


Just some background to my situation: I have previously taught in a Hagwon in Seoul; with some knowledge of the language; and due to be in Korea again within 1-2 months.



kind regards


Jabes


P.S. For those who would support the method, may i also request any advice on etiquette...

...aside from the usual formalities of Korean greeting and introduction~


cheers~

[FDNY]

It might work , but there are a lot of ossible things that could go wrong:

-you walk into the lobby only to find the secretaries speak no English whatsoever
-you manage to get past the secretaries only to find the management speaks no English whatsoever
-you get NO airfare
-you arrive right after the school has just hired someone
-they ask you for your apostiled docs, do you have them?
-after a few weeks you get nowhere, now you are out airfare and hotel money

[ttompatz]

Hagwan or PS?

IF you are looking at banging on the door at a PS, look for the English room unless your resume/cover letter is bilingual.

If it is bilingual, drop it off with the principal.

10 public schools and you should get at least 1 interview.
25 and you will land a job.
Best time is mid-late Feb. They won't have been assigned a FT from EPIK/GEPIK yet so their options are open if they are looking to obtain or replace a FT.

For a hagwan, finding a job that way is hit and miss at the best of times and depends as much on what the director had for breakfast as anything else.

.

[J Leach]

Good advice. And good warning(s) --- I wouldn't call myself bi-lingual at all!


(though i have a hell of winning smile... )


As for preparedness, I have all the necessary documents ready, except the bilingual RES.


Further comments greatly welcome.

cheers

[J Leach]

pardons

if an agency is must, any suggestions of a good one for those already there?

Am quite prepared to fund my trip (there) and support myself for the period prior to beginning work~

[jammo]

Exactly how I found my current job. Wore a suit and knocked on all the doors around my area.

I found a job on my first day of doing this

[lifeinkorea]

Just get a goshiwon, and try to work out a deal for the school to reimburse you something. It doesn't have to be the whole airfare, just the goshiwon costs and a little extra.

[emmajuno]

I'd advise against Kevin Ralph from Tiger English. He completely strong armed me into a position in a city I didn't want and I've since met someone else here with completely the same experience with him.

I'm not saying that it's not my fault for taking the job but I think a good recruiter shouldn't do that. However, I've heard that many recruiters do.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Door knocking can be successful and holds several advantages. It does take prep work and some planning in order for you not to waste your time.

The basics:

Do some research before you start knocking.

That simply means hit the net and find out about areas where schools are located, try to find out about these schools before you go there. If you cann find the name of the person who receives applications, even better.

Prepare your docs

You seem to have that covered but I would add that you need a solid cover letter, to have contact information that makes you EASY to reach and to tailor your resume so it fits the place you are applying to.

Add some of your work as a teacher if you can (some sample lesson plans or perhaps a pedagogical philosphy one pager if you can). That shows you are serious right off the bat.

Dress for the part.

Dress up when you visit schools. Not necessarily a suit and tie but at the very least dress pants, a nice dress shirt and a jacket. If you are a dude, clean shaven is the order of the day unless you sport a beard then trim is the word.

Once you drop off you docs, CALL OR EMAIL THE SCHOOL a couple of days later and ask if they had time to review your documents and if they have any questions. This means that when you drop off your docs, you get some sort of contact information.

Doing that you can find work in a reasonably short period providing your application dates also jive with hiring season for the places you apply.


Good luck.