Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cont Drwg]

Alright I've been trying for too long to get a job in and around Gangnam.
I may be a bit too late as I hear the rush has been and recruiters try telling me that Suwon/Incheon is 30mins away from Gangnam as I'll be living there anyway, hence needing to work there.
Every decent job in and around Gangnam seems to be ASAP or I get told that they want someone whos in Korea...
Which takes me to this...

The option I'm leaning towards is just flying out ASAP, telling all my recruiters the deal so they can set me up with interviews, and hope for the best.

I'll have a place to stay so thats no problem, and the way I look at it is that my only loss will be paying for my own flight.
If I was to come from my own country now and pay the visa cost, DHL/Fed-exing my documents, and deduct the cost of that from what I will be paying for my flight, the loss isn't that big of a deal whatsoever.
I have all my documents ready and think by doing this, I'll save myself a lot of time.

Could people advise me/share their opinions on this...

And also tell me how these ASAP positions would work... would they give me some compensation for my flight, pay for my visa trip to Japan (what would the cost cover, just the flight, or the visa and accommodation there?) or would I be entitled to a settlement that will cover my visa and some of the flight?

A recruiter told me lots of teachers do this and don't ask for any of the flight money back which I find hard to believe.

Cheers.

[WillTurnerinVanCity]

[Cont Drwg]

yes....but i've had my passport renewed since if that makes any difference...

[WillTurnerinVanCity]

[Cont Drwg]

Nice one, appreciate it.
I think its better than sitting around for weeks.
The demand for a male uk teacher in Gangnam doesn't seem to high, regardless of experience, qualifications etc.
I think being there in person would help a lot lot more.
As for the airfare, I worked out that sending my documents and paying for the visa would cost app. �100, a flight is �300, so my loss would technically be �200.
As long as a school would pay for my Japan visa trip, which I hear a lot do, thats alright. That would determine accepting a position really.
cheers.

[Cont Drwg]

i just read this on another post:

If you go to Korea on a toursit visa, then you also need to be able show proof of a round-trip ticket

is this true???

[ZIFA]

Let us know how you go mate.

If your search is limited to Gangnam you might be waiting around a while. If you cast your net widely then you should be fixed up pretty quickly i think. Job market is picking up. Certainly better than it was 5 months back.

[Cont Drwg]

Yea I will do fella...
I fancy my chances as I've seen a ton of ASAP positions there if thats anything to go by... i've been offered 2 in the past 2 days but I'd rather get there next week and take my chances and take my pick as both of these aren't the greatest.
From what the reliable recruiters I've been talking to have said, I really do fancy my chances.
I'll keep you posted.
Any advice on the visa question and coming to Korea without a return ticket would be highly appreciated.

[pattyb]

What if you have never held an E2 visa?

I was under the impression, although not advisable, that one could land in Korea (with all required documents) on a tourist visa and theoretically make a visa run to Japan in order to obtain a working visa.

Is this impossible to do?

IS there some NEW rule taking affect next week (or very soon) that would close the proverbial door on this option?

Thanks

[CPJ]

If you haven't had the E-2 visa before, then you have to go back home and get the visa there.

Americans can do a visa run to Hawaii so that is sort of a loop hole.

There is no more degree verification done in Korea.

So if you're a 1st time teacher in Korea and you come here on your own dime, then get hired. You will then need to fly back to your passport country and get the visa there. Then, the school will fly you to Korea.

[northway]

Americans make a visa run to Guam, not Hawaii. Flying round trip to Hawaii costs about the same amount as flying round trip to California, perhaps even more.