Korean Job Discussion Forums

hadeshorn · Joined: 30 Jul 2003

Well this job hunt from Australia is going no where fast.

As soon as they find out im in Australia and not Korea. I dont hear from a recruiter / School again.

So I am seriously thinking about flying over and pounding the pavement. However I find going over with uncertainity kinda scary. (Im the kinda guy that likes everything planned out)

However I do have some factors in my favour.

1: I am cashed up. I saved a bit of money from my last job so I could easily live off that for 3 months.
2: I have a place to stay for a bit.

But yeah, feel free to post some success stories from using this method.

Oh and to the people who remember me freaking out about what to do with my life or having a hard time being at home. I finally sorted all that out and I am gonna study law via distance education. Feels good to have a plan again!

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

It's pretty scary. First they strap you into a chair and you have to watch bad movies on a blurry screen. Then they ask you if you want chicken or fish and you have to decide right there! Then they turn off the lights and give you a sensory deprivation device. I barely made it after that "stress position." I talked, you will too.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

If you've got a bit of coin and you've got a place to stay, I highly recommend that you go to Korea and look for a job from there... especially as you're not new to Korea, I'm sure you'll be able to get a better job by hitting the pavement... Plus you'll get to see the school first hand, check out your apartment, meet the teachers etc.

For my second contract, I came to Korea (I also had a place to stay and some money behind me) to job hunt. Took about a month from the time I arrived to the time I started working.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject:

You'll be fine then. If you're in Korea, you can talk through email with a school on Day 1 and be coming in for an interview on Day 2. None of this tentative "Well maybe the school is good" crap. Although I did have 2 interviews arranged before I came over in May, no promises were made. I got lucky and checked out a school that gave me a good vibe, and I still feel good about the decision. It only took me 10 days to secure the job, get the visa, and start pounding textbooks into heads.

hadeshorn · Joined: 30 Jul 2003

Well I have about a week stay limit at this place where I can stay.

Hope thats long enough!

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 10:33 pm Post subject:

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

I've done it, no problem. Go for it, you have the money, a place to stay for a bit. Just before you leave, let recruiters and schools know that you will be in Korea at a certain date. If you can work it, you could have interviews lined up before you get here. When I did it, it took me 3 weeks to find a job, simply because I wanted a short term contract (5-6 months). Otherwise, it would have taken me a week.

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

Come. It is easier when you are here. You've been before right? Problem solved. Plus you know a week in Korea can go on for a month, so don't worry about you bed!!

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

hadeshorn.

i suppose you have a list of places you will be auditioning??? and how to get to their address?

Pyongshin....

and then there's air crapanada,

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

You might want to make sure there isn't something in your application that's turning them off, besides you just not being in the country--because I applied from the US and had no problem getting zillions of job offers, including some really good ones. They might be using you not being in Korea as an excuse, when the real reason is your race, age, appearance, or the fact that you're Australian and not North American. It seems weird that they would dump you just because you're not in Korea.

It's certainly an advantage to be there and to check the place out in person--but none of the jobs I was offered were at all concerned about my geographical location.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

If you have enough back up money, no problem. If you plan on flying to any country without enough money to tide you over for at least three months, you have no business in traveling and looking for a job.

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Harsh maybe, but good sense yes. Nothing like being financially secure enough to turn down all the crap offers that you will get.

On the negative side, sometimes it can be a bit of a hassle even if you are here. Schools can't seem to give good directions at times, and or they may judge you on sight and tell you at the end of the interview that they "just hired a guy before you walked in".

If you don't know your way around, you may be better off to do everything over the internet from home rather than trudging around to a thousand bad schools (if you can even find them).

It took me more than a month to find a decent job and this is my third year here. So be prepared to wait until you find something you like.

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

This is actually interesting--when I was applying for jobs online, people on this forum told me I should fly over and check them out in person. They insisted this is the only way to find a good job.

Yet, others are saying don't fly over unless you have a LOT of cash (enough for 3 months?!) And I doubt most of you had all that money saved up before leaving home. Unless you're independently wealthy or something.

So which is it? Does coming to Korea require one to first save up a small fortune, and then fly over to get a job? Or not?