Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lesigh]

Hi everyone,

After weeks of poring over every thread here, sending out over 100 cover letters and resumes, filming a video intro and cold-calling some of the bigger hagwon franchises, I am getting pretty discouraged.

Short of getting plastic surgery � la Michael Jackson to make myself as white as possible, I was thinking of making a trip over to Seoul and looking for a job in person. Am I crazy? Will this actually work? I figured that the lovely Korean people would have a harder time saying no to me in person when I go to their recruiting offices, and I interview well, when actually given the chance...

No wine with my cheese. I know; I suck.

Thanks in advance!

[Troglodyte]

Some background info would help in giving an answer. How many recruiters did you actually write to? What country are you from? What country are you in now? Have you had an E2 visa before?

If it's your first visa for Korea, you may need to apply for it in your home country or current country of residence.

Most schools use recruiters now.

[lesigh]

I have sent out applications to at least 50 recruiters. Most have not answered. I am working with about 10 of them, only about 5 of them really actively.

I am an American, but I am currently based in Europe, which I did find made some of the recruiters delete my emails. As they put it they thought I was in a "3rd-world country" lol. However, the recruiters have told me that I can use the consulate here, but I'm down for a visa run to Japan or Guam too.

I have all my documents, but I am waiting of course on the FBI CRC. I am hoping that that's why they won't bother with me. A few were kind of enough to tell me to contact them after I get my docs in order, which should be by May *fingers crossed* ...That or April/May is just not prime hiring season.

[nahanni]

Recruiters are lazier today than ever. Without your crc, most will shrug you off.

But yes, it is always better to be in Korea for the job search. You have the chance to visit the school and talk to current teachers to increase your chances of having a successful year. Downside is you have to pay for the flight and likely one month of daily accommodation / expenses before securing a position.

As Trog mentioned, if it's your first E2 then you usually have to apply for it in your home country or current residency ... Guam may be an option ... check it out.

Despite what some will say, you don't have to be in Seoul to have a great year.

[lesigh]

Hi Nahanni,

Thanks for replying. I've heard with the first E2 that for the home country interview, the in-person requirement can be waived...I've heard that there have been skype video interviews instead.

Anyway, what you wrote is more comforting as I've already bought my ticket to go and start the job search. I've had offers outside of Seoul, but I am only considering Seoul at the moment for personal reasons so: Seoul or no go.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Well OP you provided some plausible explanations as to why this is taking so long.

First you do not have your CBC in hand. This will lead many recruiters to flat out turn you down because why go through the hassle of getting you interviews if the possibility remains that your CBC comes back with a criminal record?

Basically this is why most people will advise applicants to have all their documentation in hand BEFORE they start applying.

Other possibilities are that you are based in Europe but I doubt this holds much weight. It could also be how you presented yourself, what you demanded in terms of placement (if you were ultra specific perhaps some recruiters prefered not to deal with you).

The Seoul or no go comment will limit your chances of landing a job through a recruiter....

Now you have decided to fly over and that can be a good option. I would now strongly advise that you use the time you have before flying over to do your homework!

Research Seoul (since you are bent on going there only) and figure out a gameplan before you leave. Find areas you think will be interesting and locate hakwons there. Prepare all your docs and have them IN HAND when you travel.

Have some money to last you for a month because that is the minimum time you will have to go before your first paycheck. Basically you need to havr the funds to house and feed yourself for that first month a bit more.

Best of luck.

[mike in brasil]

Geez, I think what you're doing is too risky.

Gone are the days when you could just jump on a plane and get a job in Korea. That abruptly stopped about 5 years ago.

Chances are you weren't getting answers/offers you wanted because you didn't have all your documents ready to go and you weren't in your home country. Recruiters only want to deal with applicants who have everything in hand for the visa and ready to come to Korea.

If you're coming to Korea and you still don't have all your documents, then you are taking on even more risk. You better have some deep pockets in the event that the unthinkable happens. It sounds like you haven't worked in Korea before, so get ready to have to go home to get the visa... it's a possibility.

I would include Busan in your job search. Seoul is alright as far as Korea is concerned, but some might argue Busan is better.

[lesigh]

Thanks for the replies, Patrick and Mike. I definitely won't go to Korea without my CBC first, but I am considering that it will be easier to just be there in person with my documents.

[lesigh]

Thanks for the replies, Patrick and Mike. I definitely won't go to Korea without my CBC first, but I am considering that it will be easier to just be there in person with my documents.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[lesigh]

I have been to Seoul before so hopefully I won't experience any difficulting adjusting, and I definitely have my nest egg prepared for several months.

That being said, is there a method for finding jobs once in the city? I was planning on contacting recruiters, but would it also be possible to drop off resumes at hagwons and just hope they're hiring?

[luckylady]

try applying directly to schools; recruiters are only half the pot

mention you've been to Seoul before and liked it very much

don't say you don't have your FBI check yet unless interviewed and asked to send over your documents; hopefully by then you'll have it in hand

don't specify Seoul per se, go ahead and interview elsewhere by phone just so you can start getting used to how an interview might go w/a Korean hakwon boss and/or a recruiter

mention some of your hobbies, just to round out your experiences and send along photos of yourself with students in a classroom, on a field trip, something fun (*in fact, this is crucial to getting noticed)

be sure and highlight on your resume anything regarding speaking, writing, journalism, or other potential assets which contribute to your talents as a teacher

again on the "Seoul only" approach - keep it to yourself, get the interview first, get used to negotiating and discussion, then, if necessary, turn it down for not being in Seoul or "close to Seoul" but only if it comes to that point - you haven't got anything going for you yet so you aren't in a position to turn anything down - and I agree, Pusan is also worth considering

good luck!

[luckylady]

forgot to add - would also not recommend coming to Seoul first if you haven't lived there yet - even just a visit really isn't all that much experience. not only that, but while many schools do prefer hiring someone "in country" what is often unspoken is this is also because those teachers are already experienced and don't need a lot of guidance as to where and how to do things.

just my opinion, but I think it makes you (and anyone else who does it) look quite desparate to arrive in a foreign country looking for a job before actually having one. and things have changed in Korea, a lot.

[Troglodyte]

[PatrickGHBusan]

I agree with Trog, the reason for the lack of response is that you do not have your CBC.

What luckylady said is (sorry) terrible advice! Do NOT fly over to Seoul without your CBC in hand!