Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

I fear I may be out of work soon due to a variety of reasons (mainly students leaving) I get the feeling my days may well be numbered (I might be overreacting but if I am then they are very bad at making me feel comfortable). What's the job market looking like at the moment, should I be extremely worried or can I reasonably expect to find work inside 30 days if I am given notice?? I would be happy to take on pretty much any position as I am keen to stay in Korea as I've only been here just over 2 months now. I have no TEFL Qs but have previous teaching experience before my current hogwan job. Am I right in thinking that if I am given notice I can get more work in Korea without visa problems?

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

There are always plenty of opportunities, not only on Dave's, but on the Pusan Web too. Smile

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

goody, I've calmed a down a bit now and maybe it'll all be alright. I just got a bollocking for 'flagrently disregarding my duties as a teacher' (I'd had some kids follow instructions to fold origami flowers for half a period as a review of instructions/lists/'then'. That along with a bunch of other things especially regarding scheduling (I am teaching by far the most students in the school, despite my attempts to get to work my contracted hours) and now I got reamed out for not having prepared, in some of the parents opinion, suitable supplementary materials......... I think that things might be alright reading up on my 'Korean managemen style 101', just if I got the level of aggression and abuse from my boss in England I'd be updating my CV pretty sharpish....

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Stick to your contract....Korean hogwan owners ask for an inch and take 10 miles.....if you firmly state at the beginning that this is the way the contract is and that is the way it is going to be they will either fire you...no biggy or back off and live by what the contract states.

If they are unhappy with what you are doing for teaching tell them to provide a detailed curriculum....that always stumps them most have no clue what a curriculum is.

Remember hogwans need foriegners a hell of a lot more than we need them. Stick to your guns....

aussie col · Joined: 31 Jan 2004

If you have a release it will be easy to get a new job. I've been offered about 15 positions over the last 2 weeks. Not all good but there are a few out there.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

Keep enough money in your account to buy a ticket home and to pay for shipping some stuff. Worst case scenario you go home.

I kept an emergency job finding package together. Resume, transcripts, etc. plus copies and everything scanned onto disk, plus a list of different schools I could contact.

If you are out of work job boards are not the best route, actually in general they are not so good if you are in Korea. Your best idea is a suit and your feet.

Remember that your hagwon boss has nothing on you. His or her opinion should mean nothing to you at the end of the day. The next paycheck is the only opinion you should listen to. If they fire you in month ten then burn them for the equivalent of 2M. Contact prospective or new teachers etc.

They will tell you all sorts of things about the quality of your teaching. Mostly lies.