Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Voyager2]

I'm a mature-age grad with a BA (EC) with some experience in a Tokyo preschool before needing to return to Aust for some surgery. All being very good now, I've arrived in Seoul yesterday on my own accord (not asking for airfares in or accommodation) and wanted to ask the experienced DESLC readership now that I'm here on the ground, whats the best avenue to approach please to find work?

I've applied for probably 8 South Korean Recruitment organisations whilst offshore (big ones included such as Footprints) with nil response from any of them.

I'm looking for work in a before-school context of native English immersion for children here (whilst undertaking a Masters of Teaching over the next few years). Apart from door-knocking preschools, can anyone lend a hand please in regards which way to focus / active leads that might be able to be kindly passed on, so I can try to find work in my 90 days here? Thank you and regards,

[ttompatz]

[andrewchon]

If you're only available for 90 days then summer camp is an option. Schools break up around Jul 20-ish. 2-3 weeks of work there.

IMHO: working while you're lame (re. surgery) is a bad idea.

[Voyager2]

TP and AC thanks for your response. 49 (TP have noted your previous advice about facing ageism and sexism in EC work here in a previous post of mine). Recov has been 1.5 years, more energy now than every before in my life. I've taken aboard your advice and will see what I can do. Rgds

[ttompatz]

And one last note:

IF you are over 55 you will NOT get hired into a public school position.
(hagwons are your only option - and they will be a tough sell).

.

[Voyager2]

Thanks TP, that leaves me six years as per above. Rgds

[Julius]

It can happen, but you will need to be willing to take any kind of job, anywhere- including out in the rural areas- and accept low conditions.

Sadly the market here focusses on youth and appearance.

it is possible to be hired in Seoul but it'd probably take longer than 3 months.
If I were you I'd be looking to capitalise on summer camps in the interim.

[Voyager2]

Appreciate your advice Julius.

I have to get my paperwork completed first, due to unplanned workload upon leaving home, I was tardy. Visited the Australian Embassy in Seoul the other day to gain Notarisation on my national CRC and degree (64k Won). Two things were prominent:

1) The DFAT Notary Officer stamped and signed a copy of my degree and a copy of the CRC. I asked her whether I needed the original CRC stamped, she advised it wasn't necessary, and further that she'd never done that before.

2) She said to me something along these lines "My Embassy colleagues often say to me that Korean Immigration just accept documents with the Embassy Notarisation and that an Apostille from Australia isn't necessary. I'd check if I were you before sending them to Sydney".

Despite both her statements above, I left the 19th floor embassy semi-believing her on point 1) whilst sceptcal on point 2) from knowing South Korea is signatory to the respective Hague Apostille protocol, and the advice I've gained here at DESLC.

Regards

[Voyager2]

As an aside, I'm sitting on a job offer from EF Bali (low paid by western standards but well by Indonesian) that would allow me to consolidate things a little and start this Masters program to work towards teacher accreditation. There's much! to love about Korea though it seems. Rgds

[ttompatz]

Immigration will usually (and has done so in the past) accept a CBC that is authenticated by YOUR embassy in Seoul.

I have not been aware of them accepting a degree copy with simply an Embassy certification but that is not to say that it won't happen.

.

[Voyager2]

I'd like to ask this question as I don't have experience in the situation. How much competition is there for government elementary school positions in the southern regions of the country, in terms of expressing interest in a school and then progressing to the interview stage? Thanks

[ttompatz]

[Voyager2]

Thanks for that TP

[maximmm]

voyager indeed....

You are using the same tactics that people used in Japan to land a job - I am not sure if it really works the same way here. I think that you should have applied via more recruiting agencies and called them after sending your resume. Will going door to door work here? I can't really say with certainty.

I am certain, however, that you should be able to find a job in China. Why not try it there? Unless you are married to Korean and/or have some other ties to this country, it seems more logical to try your luck in China - the job market here, especially for the aging crowd, is becoming pretty rough.

Cheers

[ttompatz]

Banging on the doors of public schools can work.
10 resumes near the start of term and you can pretty much get an interview or 2.
25 resumes at schools near where you want to work and you can pretty much assure a job.

There ARE some caveats:
Your resume and cover letter should be bilingual (get someone to help you write it). Most staff are unable to deal with an English only application package.

Approaching the city education office can also work in smaller centers but having your application bilingual is a great advantage.

There are lots of schools who hire outside of EPIK (usually funded by the local city office or local parents committee). Those are the ones you need to find. They will usually use a standard EPIK contract.

.