Korean Job Discussion Forums

toby99 · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:46 pm Post subject:

Well, if you've tried you best for over half a year and haven't gotten anything, and you don't have a problem starting at the bottom of the barrel at 40, then you probably should sell your car and fly over. It would be easier to get a job on the ground.

For something less drastic, have you thought about applying for a personal loan? You might aim for $4000-$5000 and then plan on living off that until you find something. That should last you at least 2-3 weeks, longer if you don't blow it partying. If you can't find anything on the ground in that time, you are probably screwed.

edit: Remember to get a fresh FBI background check and everything before coming, as your old one will be expired here. Apply yesterday.

Threequalseven · Joined: 08 May 2012

I don't know what planet people like Dodge7, augustine, and toby99 are living on.

Dodge7 · Joined: 21 Oct 2011

young_clinton · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

newb · Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Location: Korea

ESL jobs must be losers' job since lots of ESLers are ragging on it. Laughing

Op do as you please. You should be mature enough to make a decision on your own.

crescent · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: yes.

toby99 · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 5:52 am Post subject:

It's got nothing to do with the fact it's an ESL gig. It's the fact that the dude is within stone's throw of retirement and strongly considering selling what I presume is his only possession to fly over and *try* to get a job that he has no guarantee of getting.

He's been applying online for six months and came up empty; what if he falls on his face here? I'd like to think he would have an easier time on the ground, but, as another poster mentioned, it sounds like there's more going on here with this guy's background than just age (because 40 really ain't that old- I know plenty of teachers in their 40s, 50s, and even a few 60s here).

The sooner he becomes honest with himself about the skeletons in his closet- whatever they may be- the better for himself. I wish him well.

edit: And the fact that he's looking for an entry level job at his age isn't anything to laugh about; I know the economy is tough. Still, I have to think there are better options: the job pays, what, $24K a year (at best) with benefits? The average starting salary in the states for a fresh college grad, at least from reputable schools, is over $30K. I know with housing, no car/insurance payments the ESL gig is nice, but I've gotta wonder why he can't find anything that pays a bit better at his stage in life. Assuming he graduated college at 22, he's had 18 years of life experience since then. Has he done anything to better himself during that time?

Threequalseven · Joined: 08 May 2012

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

toby99 · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 10:09 am Post subject:

The 30K referenced earlier is actually well below the average pay, at least in the States. Sometimes, the problem isn't "the economy", it's you. And I guess I hang in different circles than some of you. All my friends back home from college are homeowners, make in the high five-figures to six figures, and are enjoying life. But, anyway, here's the 2013 data:

"The typical salary ranges from $36,988 for humanities and social sciences graduates to $61,913 for those who emerged with an engineering degree.

Computer science majors were a close second to their engineering classmates with an average salary of $59,221. "

http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/10/pf/college/graduate-salaries/index.html

AsiaESLbound · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Location: Truck Stop Missouri

Thanks for the interesting responses, debate, and discussion for I wanted to see what you guys had to say since there's no one in my small Missouri town I can talk with since they don't know anything about what I need to know more about. To fill you in, I went to rural Missouri last year to be with my mom during her last days which was a chapter I finished a couple months ago so it's time to move on and put myself out in the world instead of bumming around in hickville where I could never fit in, be accepted, enjoy myself, and be adequately employed as they know right off the bat I'm not one of them and the economy is horribly limited.

I'm still here helping a very sick disabled old friend get around where there's no transit to hopefully get him on social security benefits and find him and his wife livable affordable housing in Columbia, MO where there's much better everything. I'm boarding with them in an extra room and need to finish getting them moved and re-set up before I can move on to Korea or on one of our coastal areas where it's all happening. I know I have to take risks just as before and then rough it for a while in working to re-establish.

I don't have any skeletons other than bad credit due to lack of income in past year though I fear that can restrict access to employment and housing in the US. Just like times before, it's time to take risks in making a move, rough it out, and move forward while exploring as many options as possible in a metro with strong industry, plenty of survival jobs, good transit, and affordable rooming.

toby99 · Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 4:59 am Post subject:

Sounds like you have the right attitude and perspective. If you're really hard up for cash and want to get started ASAP, I'd sell your car and move to China. You'd probably have an easier time getting a job online.

Do a year in China, get some basic financial footing, then jump over to Korea.

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009