Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GZ]

Hi, I am applying with my boyfriend and we have a friend in a Northern Province of Seoul. We haven't managed to find any positions (couple or separate) in or near Seoul and we have been looking for over a month. We have an offer in Cheong-ju City but we are a bit disappointed that it is so far out from Seoul and from our friend. Does anyone know what the job market is like now andif we turn down this position how likely is it we will find something nearer Seoul? I am sure there are good things about living in a smaller place but being a bit older (I am 32) I am a bit worried the ex-pat scene in Cheong-ju will be small and quite young as opposed to somewhere so huge as Seoul. Does anyone have any thoughts? The job is in a Hogwan 10 - 7pm for 2.1M a month. We have to decide today. Any thoughts would be appreciated from those who have been around a bit and know the market right now. #Thanks

[yellowdove]

10-7 for 2.1 mil is gonna be long hours for that pay. But, the school might be amazing as far as work load and availability of materials, which makes the job easier. Have you talked to other foreign teachers who work there to find out what the job is like?
Having a good job will make living in Korea much easier then being in Seoul.

As far as being close to Seoul, it's what you make of it. If you lived in Seoul, how often would you actually end up seeing your friend?
It is easy to make friends in Korea no matter where you live, as long as you're willing to put yourself out there. It helps that you'll be going with someone else, makes it less lonely. And you're really not THAT far from Seoul, you could take a bus and be there in a couple of hours. Korea isn't that big. Plus, you'd be close to Daejeon and Cheonan, which are both good cities (I love Daejeon, and there's an older crowd there as well, check out the Daejeon Peeps facebook group).

Anyways, good luck in your search, only looking for a month isn't that long of a time, especially when the schools all just started a new school year. Hagwons hire all the time, but some prefer teachers to start the end of Feb/beginning of March.

[modernseoul]

Have a of friends who live in Cheong-juand really enjoy it, I thnik its about 2 hours away from Seoul, so not bad.

Its only been a month which isn't a point to give up on Seoul. However Seoul is highly competitve and finding a good couple-newbie role will take time.

Best advice is to go with your gut, if its not right now then move on. If you like the school and package go for it and enjoy your time in Cheong-ju.

[teachyou1004]

As long as it's not shinsegae/oxford lanuage school downtown, you should take it. The year will fly by and you'll have thoroughly experienced a great area of the country. Also, you'll be better off getting a job up north.

[FDNY]

Wait and get a position in Seoul. Seoul is EVERYTHING in Korea if you are looking for half decent lifestyle options. I have met so many expats in Seoul that absolutely loathe going back to xenophobic, backwards and boring small towns in the South.

[12ax7]

[Dog Soldier]

CheongJu to one of the Seoul Bus Terminal is 1.5 hours.

[yellowdove]

Take everything FDNY says with a grain of salt. FDNY ALWAYS posts Seoul is the best and you should choose nothing else. There is more to Korea then Seoul.

[plchron]

[Kimchifart]

[12ax7]

[allan of asia]

some people really like living in the sticks, but I would only live in Seoul or Daegu, or if I hd some good people there, Gwangju. Just my opinions. Busan is a bit like a washed out cheap version of Seoul by the sea. I dont think it has much of a character of its own. Daegu to me at least has been way more fun on visits.

Seoul is not EVERYTHING in Korea, but as it is so small in geographical size, there is only space for one MAJOR city, so yes Seoul is the centre of a lot of things, but not the be all and end all of life, unless you fancy travelling abroad a lot, and you would have to get to Incheon...

Daegu has a great expat scene - I am TOLD the scene in Gwangju is sort of cliquey and you are either accepted or not! (someone please tell me I am wrong!)

Good luck in your search. If you reaaaaly want to work in Seoul , hold out! You could probably find a job easier as you are a female and your partner comes out with you with documents in hand and in country get a job soon after!

[emmajuno]

It depends what you want, really. There are expats of all ages all over the country so I wouldn't let that misconception affect your decision. Smaller places do have tighter foreign communities which makes it much easier to make friends and people are much more willing to help you settle in, etc.

Also, Korean transportation is very cheap and convenient. 1.5 hour bus to Seoul will be no problem. You could go every weekend if you really wanted to. I lived in Jeolla-do and it took 3 hours by bus and I still made it often enough to meet my friends in Seoul.

The only problem is that the pay sounds terrible for those hours. Most kindy hagwons are only 10-6 and they usually offer 2.2

[12ax7]

[lithium]

A place is only as boring as one lacks imagination and the friendliest and most open-minded people don't always hang out in bars.[/quote]

Deep thought OP has deep thoughts.