Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wanderkind]

"Too long / did not read" version: I was declined a teaching position and told finding one would be unlikely with university grades like mine...what can I do/where do I look?

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Long version...
Hi there, just joined the forum, prospective ESL teacher, very excited to 'meet' you all.

So, I finished uni after a 6-year grueling haul through a degree I really disliked, but felt obligated to finish. In retrospect, lots of poor life choices.

But I finished! Baaaaarely! And the light at the end of the tunnel, travelling to and living/working in Korea was next on my list, finally. I applied through an agency I had heard good things about, and based on my application and interviews, I was accepted! Blah blah blah, I select a position in Incheon, and the documents process begins.

HOWEVER, immediately I notice there is a cut-off for uni grades, which I am just short of (it was 62.5%, I'm like 61%, and incidentally 60% was what I needed to graduate, so as you can see, it was a narrow escape), and additionally, my transcript has more than its share of course fails. Truly, it was a rocky road. The agency tells me that none schools they deal with will accept me, and that MAYBE I could find a private institute (that doesn't screen grades) elsewhere that would. I'm not sure how to go about doing this though, because I can't figure out how to fish for an employer that doesn't screen grades without tipping that I have horrendous grades.

So, my question to this forum, is this...is my academic history an absolutely, iron-clad, insurmountable obstacle to finding a job in Korea teaching English? I can say honestly that my degree doesn't reflect my grasp of English (it was Biology), and that I snagged 99th percentile score on the written/verbal (I think it was just called English when I did it) SATs without studying at all. And I'm currently working on a month long TEFL certificate.

If there are schools that will take someone with my grades, or just don't screen for them, could anyone direct me to them? Or an agency in good standing that might help me?

Visiting / working / living in Korea has been a dream of mine for almost 10 years now, so I'm determined to claw my way in, obstacles or no!

Thanks heaps, any and all advice/input is much appreciated!

[LAtoSeoul]

Go the Hagwon route and you will find a job.

[Zyzyfer]

Most places (in my experience) do not screen your transcripts. Carry on, my wayward son...

[ttompatz]

[Weigookin74]

[Malislamusrex]

Short answer - don't worry about it.

I the UK 35% is a pass grade pass, 40% is a third class degree, 50% second class, 60% is a upper second class honours 70%+ is a first class honours and only 2 first class degrees were given when I was at uni.

So my score of 62% is in the top 20%, your score of 60% is maybe in the bottom 20%. Will anyone in Korea be able to tell the different... No chance.

[wanderkind]

Great, ok, well that's very reassuring.

As for pitching myself to potential employers, should I do a sort of shotgun approach and go with whoever doesn't have a problem with my transcript?

Should I even mention it to a recruiter?

I was really disappointed at having to switch agencies, because the first one wasn't going to charge me a fee, they just got took it from the school or board. Is this common? If anyone knows an agency that operates like this and is looking for people, I would LOVE to hear about them.

Anyway thanks again, what I've received so far and all future input is muuuuch appreciated!

[Perceptioncheck]

None of them should charge you a fee!

There are also lots of recommendations for recruiters here on Dave's, although it's usually a good idea to use a number of recruiters; that way, you have more job offers to pick and choose from. Just have a look at the jobs board here, or over on craigslist, and contact the recruiters with positions that look good to you.

Good luck!