Korean Job Discussion Forums

[conceptualkay]

Hello everyone!

So my goal is to be on my way to Korea in September 2012! I'm determined to find a helpful recruiter and good hagwon. I think with hard work and asking the right questions It's possible!

Perferred location: Busan, Daegu, or Seoul
Grad level: Elementary school


I wanted to start this post to link up with other people who are on the same path as I am.

I figured it would be a good way to share resources, information, questions/ concerns and make potential friends!

[YTMND]

[northway]

[amcnutt]

If you want to be in Korea by September, you had better start getting your documents together ASAP! The whole process of getting your documents and getting a job can take about 3-4 months (at least it has for me both times I've gone over). First get your documents: criminal background check and notarized copy of your degree. Once you have these, contact a recruiter.
Use a few recruiters. Don't rely on one. I had a terrible recruiter a few years ago, and I wish I had had more options then.

[comm]

[matty022]

[soomin]

[Squire]

I didn't have to interview. I lived about 6 hours drive from London, which is about as far as you can be within England, so I didn't have to go. No Skype interview either

[ttompatz]

[megulala]

I guess a lot of users here are so used to people asking the same sort of questions, they just jumped in with the typical responses to people looking for work in Korea. Understandable, really, but it sounded to me like you were just interested in finding anyone in the same boat?

If I read you correctly, my name is Meagan and I am also from Florida (from SoFlo, but living in Tallahassee right now since I graduated from Florida State) and moving to Korea in the end of August. I will be living in Bundang outside of Seoul. I'm really interested in meeting other foreigners there too, but I actually am hoping to make Korean friends. I already know two native Koreans living in Seoul and Bundang from when they came to my university to study English. Still, I'd love to network and meet more people.

[conceptualkay]

Hi Meagan!

Thanks for the friendly response! I've been living in Florida for a few months. Richmond, VA is my TRUE home! I graduated from VCU, majored in Social Work & Psychology.

But like I stated before I would like to go in September, but def. no later then February 2013.

Did you also find a hagwon? or are you going through EPIK?

[Peichy]

I don't think interviews are necessary. I live in Florida so my local Korean embassy is in Georgia. I called up the embassy and said
"I am calling about the E2 VISA...I am currently in Florida and don't know if I can make it all the way to Georgia, is it possible to have a phone or SKYPE interview"

and then she replied "Oh, don't worry about it, you don't need an interview just send us the documents and we will get the VISA back to you within a few days"

Just so you know I have not applied for my E2 so I can not verify this, but this is just what I was told by the Embassy.

[megulala]

I worked through several recruiters before eventually going with a hagwon. Some of the recruiters were kinda sketchy, but I've just focused on making sure I have good contact with at least two teachers there currently. It seems to me that regardless if you go public or private, you have some risk of ending up with a bad school no matter what precautions you take. But, I know this is what I want to do, so good luck to both of us!

I am about to apply for a visa, so I really hope Peichy is correct and that we don't have to go to Atlanta for the embassy there.