Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HymanKaplan]

I had a nice long talk with the director of my school the other day. I was fired a week ago, officially for boring the children too much and risking losing students (I suspect there's a couple other things going on, but since I got my 30 days' severance and they've been very good about it, I'm fine with how things worked out.) The suggestion and the actual dismissal came from the foreign manager, and I hadn't actually spoken to the director since the firing occurred.

Any rate, she was very apologetic and asked if there was anything she could do to help me find a new job. She also said that Korean Universities hire for September and March, and suggested applying to one. For some reason, I'd thought that you needed either a load of experience or serious quals, and it really helped if you were on an F visa, but I don't know where I got those ideas.

But any rate, she told me that all that universities care about is a good recommendation from a Korean employer, and that if I apply for a job not teaching children, she'd give me that.

Thoughts?

HK

[Bibbitybop]

Your teacher is an idiot. Hiring has been completed for most positions at Seoul unis. Almost all want a Masters degree in hand and experience. Your teacher's letter of recommendation won't be looked at if your resume doesn't qualify you for the criteria listed on the job announcements.

[oldtactics]

If you're willing to move into the wild, there are small junior colleges in smaller towns & cities that are still hiring, no MA required, but it'll take a bit more work to find them. However, if this hagwon job was your first job in Korea, you'll have trouble as they require more experience.

Uni jobs are the top of the ESL heap for a reason, and people generally have to put in the time and move up to that level.

[Chet Wautlands]

Anyone have experience applying to a university while you are currently doing your MA?

[dodge]

[liveinkorea316]

[Feloria]

I just accepted a job at a Uni-but if I don't get my Apostilled CBC back from Wash DC soon, I could lose it.

Hey! Maybe you could take my job!!

Seriously though, most of the better Unis prefer a Masters degree, or lots of experience--

Good Luck!

[TECO]

[PatrickGHBusan]

sorry OP but you just got very bad advice-info on University positions.

You DO need qualifications
You DO need experience
You also do need references (she is right in that).

You also NEED to APPLY when they are HIRING and now they are not for the most part.

Good luck anyway.

[Feloria]

It is true that there aren't alot of Uni job postings right now.
There are a few--I applied for mine right here on 'Daves!'
There were TONS of postings for the winter 2011 term, though.
Every day there were at least 4 from November-January.
I guess it's just slower for the fall term??

[plato's republic]

When does the University hiring period start for March 2012 positions? How far in advance should I prepare my documents?

[Feloria]

I noticed that the positions started showing up here(on Daves), as early as October; but there was a plethera of them in November and as late as December.
It's probably because Korea's school year starts in March-thus the high number of positions posted.
As far as when to start getting your docs together?
I would say NOW, especially if you're an American.
The FBI CBC, and then getting the Apostille for it has taken as long as 5 months for some people--this is due to the extreme volume of requests the agencies are receiving.
The only problem with this is that many school/Universities want background checks that are no more than 3-6 months old.
My CBC is dated 5-11-2011, but I still haven't gotten it back(from the Apostille office).
So in essence it's already 2 months old.
Who knows how old it will be when I actually get it back--it's a 'crap shoot', I guess!
Getting your Degrees notarized and Apostilled is a story within itself--

Good Luck!

[michpottier]

I currently work at Korea University, and while it is true that many universities want a MA, it is not always the rule. There are currently a few instructors here without MAs, but with good experience and attitudes. While there are specific times when universities hire, they generally hire all year round. We have people coming and going all the time. The best recommendation I can make is just apply, apply, apply. They may say they want an MA, and years of experience, but when it comes right down to it, if they need someone (especially quickly), they will consider all applicants. Also, just a side note, it amazes me the type of graduate degrees they will accept. We currently have a person with a Masters in ancient ceramics!?

[plato's republic]

Forgot to ask: What documents are needed when applying for a Uni position? I presume a notarised/apostilled copy of BA/MA, and another notarised/apostilled CRC. Are University transcripts needed, either for immigration or the actual University itself? Anything else?

Thanks.

[sirius black]

OP, the 'better' universities with a name and higher salaries usually want a Masters and experience, and possibly some with prior uni experience. These unis are usually the national unis. They are public schools that each province has and they usually have fairly strict hitring requirements.

But there are tons of uni jobs going to people with no Masters. i know several. The difference is that sometimes the pay is bit lower than even a hogwon but its an entry. Also, these schools are often in small towns, etc. Many of these are private unis. Some are christian unis, small colleges or unis, even buddhist unis. Because they are private they have more flexibility in hiring guidelines.

Also, schools do most of their hiring for the start of the school year in March but they do hire midterm. My school hired a few for the fall semester.

The main problem in finding uni jobs is that most aren't advertised. Most uni jobs are word of mouth. Teachers tell their friends and that's how a good number of them get in. There are some that advertise, this site has a few but but you have to find the schools yourself if you don't have friends in them. Network. Make inquiries. Google.

Many people try to put a certain aura on uni jobs and frankly, most teachers can do most of them. Exceptions exist at some of the better schools but by and its not a difficult job and with plenty of perks.