Korean Job Discussion Forums

[minos]

So I was talking to my paents and they were telling it's still pretty bad. They haven't researched it, but they said staying here was the best thing unless I wanted grad school. I'm pretty comfortable here, but I'm curious how bad it is back home.

[debb199]

Where's back home?

[RMNC]

I was laid off and unemployed for something like 6 months when I went back. Not even worth it right now.

[mission_weasel]

Still pretty terrible.

I have been back home in the U.S. for over a year now. I got lucky and found a job working for family protective services. Benefits are good but they are talking about cutting back because the state and federal governments are over their budgets. We have 100% medical now but they want to cut it back to %80 because of the budget cuts. We also have an indefinite hiring freeze in our office. We used to have 12 -15 new hires every two months (our office has particularly high turnover).

Public schools in Texas just laid off a couple hundred teachers and cut out a lot of non-basic courses that were considered expendable because of the afore mentioned state budget problems. Teacher retirement and other benefits are also being cut back. If you want to teach in Texas you will have a very difficult time finding a job with public schools. If you do manage to find a job it will most likely be in a super low income ghetto school with unruly students.

Other college educated friends are working in retail, and crappy call center jobs. I have friends that work in customer service for GM and they make about $11.50 an hour. Friends in retail are making $7 - 10.00 an hour plus some commission here an there.

There are openings for highly specialized positions like occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiologists etc. However these jobs require graduate degrees and relevant experience which the general population wouldn't qualify for.

It is possible to find a job if you are assertive and know how to job hunt effectively. Networking as usual is the best way to find any decent paying job.

[Yaya]

Seems the safe way to go back home is to get a career requiring additional school or training or open your own business (except a restaurant since they have the highest failure rate).

I remember that in the 1991-92 U.S. recession, many were saying the American dream is over. I doubted that back then but I'm thinking that the U.S. is no longer the place where every immigrant wants to go given falling living standards and the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

If you want to resettle in the West, I'd say the sooner the better.

[minos]

[decolyon]

It's not grand. I hear horror stories from friends/family all the time.

I hear one of a few different stories.

1.) Are my friends from high school that started work right after. While they can find employment, it often pays little, is hard labor, and doesn't have much in the way of benefits. One guy is working 60+ hours a week just to make ends meet.

2.) Friends that have a BA, but because there are so many people after so few jobs they end up waiting tables or answering phones.

3.) I know a guy that had a very legitimate MBA from a well established university. He often heard that he was "over qualified" and his degree would demand too much salary.. much to his objection. I kid you not, he took his MBA off his resume and found a lovely position managing a McDonalds.

4. ) And last, my friends and family that owned their own business before things went bad, and survived, are doing quite well actually. Now, they don't employ many others, usually it's just them, their spouse and maybe a friend. But their businesses are booming. Their customers look at them surviving the crash as a sign of real strength and quality and have doubled up on them when they can afford to. Mind you, these are essential businesses like shop owners, repair men, and various health care providers. Still though, that seems to be the market to be in.

[Died By Bear]

Imo, it's still bad overall but it's improving for those with skills and experience.

'Improving' is still a long way off from 'pretty decent' which is what it was like back in 2006.

If you're a recent college grad w/liberal arts degree, forget it. You'll be working in food service or a call center. They are always hiring.

Hope this helps.

[Captain Corea]

Would this not greatly depend on where 'back home' is??

[creeper1]

[sirius black]

Generally speaking its bad but how bad would depend on what region or state you were in as well as qualifications. Run of the mill jobs for your typical BS holder is difficult. A few jobs were mentioned that are in demand and I'll add nursing to that as well.

[bcjinseoul]

I'm just surprised more people aren't open to sales jobs. Become a polished, professional businessman, stay upbeat, do your homework, build a network, learn to talk to people and build rapport...anyone who really wants financial success can have it.

There are plenty of B2B account executive type sales jobs selling all kinds of products and services, be it office equipment, software, pharmaceuticals, medical and dental devices and equipment, security systems, uniforms, chemicals, lawn care products, payment procession and solutions...perhaps someone who likes teaching and traveling should consider being an admissions rep for a career college or a travel agent. Also, you have significant financial reserve and can afford to live without a base salary, there's always B2C direct sales, which have the highest risk but garnish the highest reward, like being a financial advisor, insurance salesman, mortgage loan officer, Realtor, or new car salesman.

I taught in Korea for a number of years and am currently working at a telemarketing call center, BUT...I'm looking for a better sales job in a B2B environment, and have a second interview with Ricoh (the printer manufacturer) just around the corner.


I can't speak for other nationals, but as an American, my country is the most entrepreneurial in the world. And like I've read in 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad,': "If you can't sell, you'll never own a business that sells." If more young people today would consider sales jobs and eventually the possibility of creating their own business, a lot more jobs could be potentially created, as it is the business world that should create jobs, not the government (which has grown much too large in America).

[lithium]

[PatrickGHBusan]

In Canada, it really depends what your experitise and field of work here.

It also critically depends on where you settle as well.

If you are looking for teaching jobs, you will have a very hard time in Canada now, except for a few select areas and specialisations.

The Federal Public Sector has put on a hiring freeze and is cutting back in numerous departments by not replacing those people that retire or leave.

Its a tough job market out there.

[nero]