Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FredDaSked]

Hi everyone. I haven't been on since I left Korea in October of 2010. After almost a year, I'm contemplating hanging a sign on my door once again that says 'Gone To Korea'. The reason range from what I'm doing now in the US to what I miss about doing what I was doing as a FT in Korea.

I plan to be a lot more prepared this time, so I have to ask the following question: Is it better in the job search to disclose in detail that I've been a teacher in Korea before, or prepare my resume and all as if I haven't day one's worth of experience with the country?

I mean, to make employers--and recruiters--think I don't know what it's all about and then negotiate based on what I do know seems an advantage. Is it?

Of course, it's all a moot point if records are checked, I guess. Does anyone actually check those things for veracity anyway? My experience in the process tells me that a CBC is more important than an employment one (EBC, let's say). In fact, lack of FT experience is leverage if you're a hagwon owner, isn't it?

I'm not trying just to deceive for no good reason. I just want to gain the my own leverage as a returning FT. Gotta explore all avenues, you know.

[sulperman]

What do you see yourself gaining from this strange, strange plan? An extra 100k a month? An extra couple of spoons?

And what exactly do think you know that would allow you to be a negotiating wizard? And why would it be better if they didn't know about your vast knowledge of hagwon hiring practices?

Your idea is bad. And dumb. And weird. Drop it.

[FredDaSked]

[oldtrafford]

What the hell you going on about?!!! Wouldn't you use your teaching cCredential from back home as a way to find the 'right job.' My persona THOUGHTl is this: why the hell would a qualified teacher contemplate working in the EFL system that is Korea, which in my humble 6 years experience is shockingly bad hence why I will be leaving in the near future. Wouldn't IT be better for your sanity and your wallet to apply for international schools, and not just here but in other parts of Asia. PPlaces that are much better than Korea, say like Thailand, Hong Kong, or Japan. Your post confuses me, and like the previous poster I find you, it [b]WEIRD!!! and CONTRADICTORY!![/b]

[marsavalanche]

lmao what a clown op is

[thegadfly]

If you are a certified, experienced teacher, you should be looking for a job where experience and credentials are sought and renumerated...and such places do NOT value "newness." Therefore, you should not pretend to not have experience.

"Schools" that put a premium on young, inexperienced bodies to toss into the classroom as "teachers" are not going to pay you anything close to the 2.7 a month you claim you made before...and I have a hard time believing that you do not know that. If you are earning that much, it is likely due to your experience and credentials...therefore, you would want to present ALL of your experience and credentials....

[DaHu]

Maybe the OP is going to get a bad reference and wants to leave that off. Therefore asks if people will know he's worked before.

And yes, I was told by a place that they found out I worked here before when they went to apply for the new visa. They were told about the past ones.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[TECO]

[AsiaESLbound]

I think it's a misnomer to believe teaching experience and some maturity aren't valued over there. There are many jobs and recruiters specifically advertising for young people with no experience, but I can't stop believing there are good schools looking for experience teachers. I would bet that it's more likeply you get better job through your experience. I wouldn't hide having done a one year contract, but a new job of any sort is always a new experience.

[silkhighway]

I don't think it's 'newness' that is valued, it's youth.

[TECO]

[thegadfly]

[PRagic]

If you're just going to work for a crapwon or a public school, then definitely put the experience in Korea on your CV. As another poster suggested, this might fetch you another 100,000 won a month.

Seriously, why wouldn't you put in-country experience on your CV unless you're pretty sure you're going to get a bad reference?

Stick with the big picture: send out your CV to any and all recruiters and take the job with the most reputable employer who offers the best employment package. OK, sure, so being the 'most reputable employer' where crapwons are concerned is kind of like being the tallest midget, but if you just have the 4-year degree and need to come back to work, you don't have much leverage at all.

Good luck to you. I've known more than my share of people over the years who have 'had it up to here' with Korea, left, and then returned after they discovered that they did indeed have a decent deal in Korea.

Words to the wise for those following the thread:

1. Don't make a move 'back home' until you have a job lined up. Your will burn through the whopping 5-20K banked in your first year or two in K-land pretty quickly. Even if you have understanding parents with a finished basement and a fridge without a pad lock, you're still going to need a car, insurance, and other necessities.

2. If you even think there is a possibility that you may want to work in Korea, whether as an English teacher or in another vocation, work on improving your degree level and skill set in advance while you're here. 20-30 years ago, you ran into a lot of opportunity here simply because there weren't that many westerners here. This is not the case any more.

Option B here would be to have a solid plan to enter a degree or training program back in your home country, and to then act on that plan using the savings you built up over your first year or two in K-land. Knock it out and get back into the game pronto.