Korean Job Discussion Forums

Usurname · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

I came to the US in 3rd grade from Korea. Right now I have graduated from university earlier this year with a liberal arts degree, but not finding a job right now.
If I speak English with an accent, could I still get a job?

I will be getting my citizenship next year, maybe June-July, after which I would apply to go to Korea. When does the usual hiring go on? I'm guessing at the beginning of each school year which I'm guessing is about March? Is there any schools or institutions that hire you anytime during the year? If not I guess since my citizenship at the earliest might come next May ~ July, would that mean that I would have to way until 2014 March until I can get a job?

If there is no job in Korea that hires at any time of the year, is there one in China at least?

I heard that employment gaps are bad for getting a job. So if I don't get any jobs that pay 30k+ and only can get menial jobs until March 2014, would the huge gap look bad for employers and I may never get a job back in the US that pays 30k+? Or, as I've heard, the employment gap only matters for technology-related jobs?

viciousdinosaur · Joined: 30 Apr 2012

As a Korean-American you can expect to work a menial job here too. You will be paid less or work more hours than your American peers. It's not uncommon for Korean-Americans to be given 10 hour shifts, expected to come in Saturdays, or paid anywhere from 10-30% less than regular teachers. Your average English teacher here makes $24,000/yr + housing. Your average Korean-American makes $29,000/yr with no housing.

andrewchon · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject:

If you're a male, then first check your statues on your draft elligibilty by Korean Army. Foreigner in Korea are forbidden to work in 3D jobs (dangerous, demeaning, dirty). Jobs everywhere are the same: if you're picky then the pickings are slim. If you're willing to work then you'll get a job.

Usurname · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

I meant I will be working menial jobs in the US. Based on my thought that it's hard to get a 30k job in the US while English teachers are in demand in Korea so the pasture is greener.

I had a bad GPA btw.

andrewchon · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:52 pm Post subject:

GPAs are games for college kids. When you graduate you're in the real world. In the real world the GPA is meaningless, it's what you want to do and what you are willing to do to achieve that. Accentuate the positive: I want teach english, NOT:I have a bad GPA. I have a college degee, NOT I have a liberal art degree. I want to experience foreign culture, NOT I can get better money working menial labour. So far in your life what you have learnt is dharma, it's time for adtha.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Usurname · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

viciousdinosaur · Joined: 30 Apr 2012

Even if you relinquish your Koren citizen and apply for F4 you will still have to serve two years in the army. You need to obtain a military service waiver from the Korean embassy.

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 5:22 pm Post subject:

Let's re-iterate: Coming to Korea on E-2 is not going to free you from Korean Army. If you're a male and your name is in the family Hojeuk, and have not renounced Korean citizenship before 18 years of age, then you will be subjected to draft. I'm not saying 'avoid draft'. I have served in my adopted country and it was a good experience. I'm saying come to Korean with all the info you need to know. IMO you ought to get your US passport next May and then go China.

Usurname · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

I did get my citizenship. Isn't my Korean citiezenship automatically renounced because of me becoming American citizen?

By the way how does the Korean salary come out to be if you take out the American taxes?

drcrazy · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:36 pm Post subject:

Usurname · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

The original post is from last year.

drcrazy · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:23 am Post subject:

Usurname · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

Aine1979 · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Location: Incheon

Native English teachers are either given accommodation paid for and provided by their school, or housing allowance if they find their own place to live. Korean teachers don't get either the allowance or the accommodation, so pay their own accommodation out of their salary. Whether or not you will be better or worse off than a native teacher is entirely dependant on your salary.

As far as I understand, your Korean citizenship isn't automatically renounced, and if you are on the family registry and come to Korea, you will have to do 2 years military service.