Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yeramian]

A Korean friend has invited me to come to Korea with her. I would look for positions upon arrival. I would come on a multiple entry tourist visa. I could go to Japan to change the visa, but I may go back to Oregon to close up my apartment. I've wondered if a recruitor could help me streamline the job search when I get to Korea. What do you think?

[Gollum]

I did it like you, sort of. Came here and found a job.

My advice:

1. Use MANY recruiters for what they're worth. Call them and get on their list. Realize that they often offer the real crappy jobs. Sometimes there are diamonds in the rough, though. Avoid any Wonderland or Sogang Language Program schools (there are many others, but these always top the list as bad). Recruiters will try to hide the name from you as long as possible -- partly to protect their interests, and partly because they know many will not work for a school with a bad reputation.

2. Take your time. Don't feel you need to get a job in a week. Take your time. Visit the schools and TALK TO TEACHERS. Look for cues in what they say. That can help, although there is no guarentee that you'll be able to hear about every red flag.

3. Post your resume. In the past, this never worked, but now that internet boards charge for ads, more and more schools are scanning the resumes. Make it look professional with a GOOD photo. Wear a suit in the photo, and to all interviews. Some boards are starting to charge schools to read resumes now, but there are still good free places around. Top boards for job finding that I use are Dave's (here), www.englishspectrum.com, and www.worknplay.co.kr

4. Always remember that YOU are in charge of your future. Don't allow anyone to make you believe otherwise. If you feel the least bit insecure about a job -- don't take it! And don't let a whiny hagwon boss fool you into taking something you aren't sure about.

5. Get everything on paper. Have other teachers look over your contract. Post it on here and ask for help/comments.

6. Don't fall for a hagwon owner who says he'll put you up in a hotel or at his/her home until they find you an apartment. 90% of the time, you'll be stuck living there. Never believe they are honest with you. They will lie to your face, so you can understand why it's even easier for them to lie in an e-mail.

7. Highest pay isn't everything. Take a job with lower hours and more free-time to do what you want. The people who work here a while learn that making big bucks means trying to get a job that leaves their mornings and evenings open for privates. Shoot for a job between 10 and 4, or close to that, although these are hard to get.

Those are a few things to get you started.

[kangnamdragon]