Korean Job Discussion Forums

Wanda · Joined: 21 Jan 2012

I am a 47 year old female and my husband is 63 and recently retired. Our long term plan has always been for me to find a job that will afford us the ability to travel and live abroad after his retirement. I applied with two recruitering agencies in hopes of finding a teaching position in South Korea (Reach to Teach and Aclipse). The recruiter with Reach to Teach told me last night that no recruiter will work with me because it is too much trouble to deal with someone who has a dependent that will not be teaching. I knew that being older might make it difficult to find a job but is this information accurate? Is there any point in me trying to go through a recruiting agency? Is it really a big deal that he is older and retired? My husband is in great shape and more active than most 30 year olds. I understand the concern of having a spouse who is not working and the potential for getting bored and wanting to leave but this is not the case with him. I am trying not to get discouraged as this has been a dream of ours. Any information will be appreciated.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:32 am Post subject:

You will need to be patient because your case is well outside the main group of applicants for teaching positions in Korea.

Now, do you have teaching experience? Qualifications in teaching? That would help your application profile a lot. If you have no teachign experience, considering your age and the fact you are bringing a retired spouse with you then it will take longer for you to find a position.

I assume you have a BA, otherwise you cannot even get the E2 visa in Korea.

As for recruiters, you will need to contact a few considering your situation as an applicant. You can also try and contact schools directly.

Good luck.

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Do you have over $100,000 USD in the bank? You and your husband might be able to get a D8 visa (investment visa) and open your own "consulting" business or something. You'll probably need a lawyer to navigate this process though if you were even interested in going that route. You'd then have a lot more freedom in terms of employment (you could "subcontract" for any number of schools) and your employer wouldn't own your visa. And it would give your husband something to do during the day! I'm not very familiar with the ins and outs of this visa. So I'm not sure if it will work for you. But it might be worth looking into.

As for the rest of your post, the trick with recruiters is to use as many as you can. They don't care about you, you are just a commission to them. Likewise, you shouldn't really care which one finds you a job. As long as it is a decent job, in a place you want to be, it shouldn't matter who gets it for you.

Another thing is try the public schools. GEPIK/EPIK/SMOE. Their next hiring season will start this spring for the fall term. And are usually more open to this sort of thing.

If you find that your husband is blocking your job opportunities, you might want to wait to disclose him until later. You do not "need" an employers permission to register your spouse with immigration. Sure, you'd probably want to let them know about it but their permission is not required by immigration to my knowledge.

Age is a HUGE social issue in Korea. Korean people over 60 (40-50 for women???) are considered virtually un-hireable for any worthwhile job. By that I mean, many people that age have a very hard time finding or changing jobs.

Believe it or not, I think the marriage issue will work in your favor here. Although the general social rule is a bit looser when applied to foreigners, if you are a single woman over 35 it is a major red flag to most employers.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Wanda · Joined: 21 Jan 2012

To those who responded- thanks! Yes, I do have a degree and I have 8 years teaching experinece as well as a TESOL certification. Let's say I don't tell the recruiter that I plan to take a dependent and I find a job and he follows me later, would it be best if I ask for a housing allowance instead of the school giving me an apartment? Or, is it ok to have him come along afterwards and stay in the apartment they provide?

Man... I am glad I found this website! I lost all kinds of sleep last night wondering about this.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Age and Dependents

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Wanda · Joined: 21 Jan 2012

Ok... It sounds like it will be a non issue if my husband joins me a few months after I have settled into my job. What would be the best way to address the subject of my husband staying after he has arrived? Is it necessary for me to disclose to my employer that he is staying or do they really care as long as I am doing a good job and fulfilling my contract? Our biggest fear is that my husband stays and I get fired because he is living in the apartment with me. Can this be grounds for being dismissal? Has anyone heard of someone being fired under these conditions?

Thanks in advance for any feed back.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

LindaYee · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:22 pm Post subject:

Hi Wanda
My husband and I have had recent, direct experience of what you are asking about. If you would like to PM me (I haven't made enough posts to initiate contact!) I could have a long chat with you. All has worked out well for us, would love to share our experience.

Wanda · Joined: 21 Jan 2012

Hi Linda,
Like you, I have not posted enough to pm yet. However, I really want to hear your story. Maybe, for the time being, you can give me some basic information. You have no idea how much I appreciate your offer to share your experince. Everyone has been great in responding to my post and I truly want to be well informed about the situation. Anything you can tell me through this post would be great for now.
Again, thanks so much.

Wanda · Joined: 21 Jan 2012

[quote="LindaYee"]Hi Wanda
My husband and I have had recent, direct experience of what you are asking about. If you would like to PM me (I haven't made enough posts to initiate contact!) I could have a long chat with you. All has worked out well for us, would love to share our experience.[/quote

Wasn't sure if you would get the post if I did not add what your posted. See the above post. Again, thanks.

LindaYee · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:15 am Post subject:

Hi Wanda. We have been here for 10 weeks. I am 55 and my husband 59. I was offered a contract with a hogwan. They said to bring my husband, they would arrange the visa etc. He accompanied me on my E2 visa. Once we arrived he started looking for work (slightly different to you, we both wanted to work here). Sadly there was nothing for him here in Jinhae and he is now working in Busan (happily). Because of his hours and commuting issues I resigned from my current position on 1st January, giving 7 weeks notice. I now have a new contract in Busan, and I start at the end of February.
My position here in Jinhae is available if you are interested. The owner prefers mature teachers. I teach kindy/elementary 10.30-6.30.
We have a lovely apartment which is larger than average and very comfortable for a couple. If you want to see my contact details and the job ad you can go on koreabridge.net - the post is Teaching position in Jinhae.
Hope we can stay in touch. Regards Linda

Wanda · Joined: 21 Jan 2012

Zulethe · Joined: 04 Jul 2008

Just wanted to say good luck to the OP. I love hearing stories about older people wanting to teach in Korea because I think they have a lot more to offer than the younger generation straight out of college.

I first came to Korea in 1993, straight out of college, again in 2008, and I will try again in about 10 more years after I have banked some good money.

My experience in 2008 was much, much better.

Again, good luck OP!