Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Empty_Seoul]

I apologise if there is a similar topic on this already, but my search came up with nothing. I also apologise for the length of my post but really need some guidance from all you bright people on here.

Hoping someone can help me out here. Are there any schools that do 6 months contracts and if so, how would I go about finding them? I'm signing up to a few recruiters at the moment but fear if I tell them I'm not sure I can work a full year, it'll be hard to get accepted.

I'll give you a bit of a background into why I'm asking in case anyone has any advice. I have previously spent just over 2 years working in South Korea and had a great time there. Then I went to the UK for two years on a working holiday. My UK employer told me he was going to sponsor me for a work visa but never came through, leaving me in limbo as I was depending on the job to move forward in my career. I came home and took a break, finally deciding I'd like to go back to studying and academia.

I'm currently studying for a Masters degree by distance (should be finished around Feb-Mar) with the goal of completing a PhD in Helsinki. I'm looking to gain admission in 2012 for the purely selfish reason that I want to start pursuing my chosen study and career path when I turn 30 ( I turn 30 in Nov. 2012). I spent my 20's completing my degree, volunteering and working overseas on and off. Whilst I regret not accomplishing more in my 20's, I can recognise that I had valuable and interesting experiences and look forward to moving forward with a fresh start in my 30's.

If accepted, I would start my PhD in August next year. Due to frivolous spending whilst in Korea, then a boss and other toxic people I knew that took most of my money from me, I'm not left with much savings left. In the period between now and August next year, I'm wanting to save as much as possible in order to not have to worry too much about money when in Finland and focus on my studies. (They have research and teaching positions available where I could possibly earn a bit of extra rent money). When deciding on my options, I realised that I quite enjoyed working in Korea and thought it would be an enjoyable experience to go back there, soak up as much culture as possible, finish my Masters, hone my teaching skills and save money. I feel it would be a good way to spend the last year of my 20's. I'm also considering investing so I have some rainy day money.

Here is where the problem is. If I was to take on a year long contract starting September, I might not be able to see the contract through to completion and it would be unfair and dishonest of me to take it on to begin with as they would realise I had never planned to complete the contract and could keep money that was owed to me. But then if I'm able to secure a 6 month contract. that leaves me with 4 months where I'm not earning any money and would pretty much be floating around.

If anyone has any advice on what I could do, I would greatly appreciate it.

[koreatimes]

September to August would be 11 months. Why not just do that? You would have saved as much as you could, and the school would be more than happy to let you go, knowing they wouldn't have to pay airfare or severance.

You would be owed pension along the way.

[shifty]

Get a normal E2 one year contract. Say you intend to work for 9 or ten months and then want to abscond.

In return waive airfare and severance as per verbal agreement, notwithstanding what's in the contract. Koreans prefer to deal like this in any case, by word of mouth and dislike fiddling with contracts. They are the contract, in their view.

Mention also that you are not interested in pension or med insurance. Don't highlight this one too much, since they most probably weren't intending paying you that in any event, so no big deal.

It's a win win situation. After 9 months they are often tempted to fire you to save on severance and airfare, but here they're getting you without the associated unpleasantness.

You're hot property, you!!

[CentralCali]

[shifty]

[Mr Lee's Monkey]

Shifty cannot speak for "most hagwon owners", and his advice is terrible.

Playing fast and loose with the benefits proscribed by Korean law, advertised by recruiters, and expected by a lot of foreign teachers creates problems. The mercenary teachers from abroad who come to Korea and bend or break the rules for personal gain are the single biggest reason there's so much horsesh*t associated with hagwon jobs. If self seeking turds weren't allowing directors to get away with noncompliance, I think there'd be a lot less of it.

If you take Shifty's advice, some would contend that you are "Part of the Problem", not "Hot Property".

[bluethree]

On a similar note, is it a good idea to be upfront about this kind of situation when applying to PUBLIC school jobs? I have decided to renew with my current school, but since I'm applying for JET there is a small chance I'll have to leave in July 2012.I've been upfront with them about this and I should hear if I can stay this week or the next.

But if that doesn't pan out and if I have to find a new public job, should I just not say anything? I'd like to stay in Korea longer and don't want to go 10 months without a job until I hear about my JET chances.