Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nick2124]

Hey there,

I am 28 and have just recently arrived in Korea (With the apostilled documents and so on).

I have BA in Psychology from a university in Melbourne (Australia). I also have 12 months teaching experience working with Chinese students preparing for their IELTS exam.

I also attended a class-room based TESOL course.

Why is it so hard for me to land a job? My accent is very light as my parent are British.

1) I have a Korean fiance. Should I include or exclude this during the interview process?

2) Should I include a casual and/or professional photo when applying for jobs?

3) Any other tips/advice?

Thanks a lot,
Nick

[Chaparrastique]

"Australian male" comes low down the list of desirable teachers, unfortunately.

Up until about 2008 there were loads of Aussies here but when 2009 hit then employers were easily able to get their preferred North Americans.

If your parents are British, then go on your British passport. Tell them you're English. Its slight, but you will stand a better chance. develop your "Beckham/ Rooney" patter and talk to them about how great Korean players are in the premiership...and you should score.

[World Traveler]

OP, the Korean job market sucks now. It's been on the decline for a while. Employers want young females from the United States (or if they can't get that, Canada). Maybe tell the prospective employers you're from the same country as Sam Hammington. That might endear you to them/boost your likability slightly.

[Paddycakes]

It's Karma for Australia's white's only immigration policies of the past...

[metalhead]

[Yaya]

Uh, PLENTY of expats have married Korean nationals, so that won't help you get a job.

You came at the wrong time to get a job in Korea, that's for sure.

[Chaparrastique]

[World Traveler]

F-visas still have a strong advantage...but the market is going downhill for English teaching Westerners on all levels, from privates teachers to kindy workers to university instructors to freelancing corporates workers...so just realize that the opportunities available now may not be there in the near future. There is a continued deterioration going on. Things are less and less of a good deal as time goes on.

[maximmm]

This thread reminds me of so many others I have seen on Japanese jobs forum many years ago. I suspect it's going to get worse from this point on. If that roadmap is any indication, we are looking at substantial wage cuts in the future. The good thing is, Korean currency is likely to be remain very strong despite rate cuts for the next 5 years - as was the case in Japan (until the recent QE which caused JPY to lose 50% of its value within 2 years).

[Died By Bear]

If no one can find jobs, how come there's still so many foreign teachers still here?? Why haven't they all left? Okay, so the ones that are working stay, fine. But what about the 1000's of unemployed teachers? Why are they still here?

[Died By Bear]

And OP, why haven't you edited your title?

"strugglig"?


Weally?

[Chaparrastique]

[creeper1]

I don't buy much of this gloom and doom.

Certainly I still have contacts in Korea working happily for organizations such as GEPIK on the top level of salary (2.7 million a month)

In summer and winter they are paid to lie on a beach in an exotic location.

Are they entering the job market? Perhaps not. Perhaps they are holding on to their jobs tightly.

However they are very comfortable and never give a thought to leaving.

OP, you will get a job. I looked at your credentials and experience. All fine and all good.

Look around you. There are English teachers everywhere. They come and go all the time.

One will leave and open up a space for you.

Get it there. Get contacts. Being in Korea gives you an advantage. When one of them leaves their PS/hagwon make enquiries to replace them.

It isn't difficult at all.

I notice you are concentrating your job search in Seoul.

If things get really tough you may consider expanding your job search as far as Gyeonggi do.

Good luck.

[ghostrider]

So you joined the forum over five years ago but have never taught in Korea?

Are you only applying for jobs in Seoul? That could make it really difficult to find employment.

[World Traveler]