Korean Job Discussion Forums

[James8913]

Hello all, I am a recent college graduate hoping to begin teaching English at a private academy in South Korea around early to mid September. I have been thinking about this for some time, and even posted a question about job prospects back in April. Since then a relative of mine has announced that she will be getting married in August and so I have delayed my plans to teach abroad since I do not want to miss her wedding. I still have to get my documents together, which I understand usually takes upwards of a month, so I know that it is unlikely that I will be able to land a job before September at least. I do not have a TEFL or CELTA, but I have been volunteering in an elementary school classroom where I assist second graders with their reading abilities. Any thoughts on wether or not my volunteer work will benefit me when searching for jobs? Many of the children who I volunteer with seem to have Spanish speaking parents, and so helping them read in English can be a challenge since they struggle with it and are not immersed in it at home. I want to begin applying through recruiters and gathering my documents this week, any thoughts on my chances of getting a job by September? Also can anybody tell me what the weather is like in Korea from September to November? I live in SoCal now but have also resided in Nebraska so I don't mind the cold. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[ttompatz]

IF you haven't gotten started on acquiring your documents yet you will be lucky to be here before Christmas.

Nobody (at least nobody where you would want to work) will seriously talk to you until you have your documents in hand.

AFTER you have your documents it takes time for a job search (and you are off-season).

Add the simple fact that it then takes another 21 days AFTER you sign a contract to process everything (confirmation number, visa, flights) before you get to Korea.

Sept. is possible but unlikely. IF you started applying for your documents now you might make it over in Oct.

.

[robbie_davies]

I wouldn't fancy your chances of getting a job for September in China, unless you went to a bottom feeder who wanted you to work on a Z visa. There are millions of jobs in China.

South Korea - Nooooooooooooo chance!!

[Kepler]

Get results from FBI after submitting fingerprints (6 weeks)
Get apostille (1-2 weeks)
Get visa confirmation number after finding job (2-3 weeks)
Apply for and get visa at consulate in home country (1 week)