Korean Job Discussion Forums

Corvid · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Suwon

So, the question is... How long does it take to negotiate and land a job in Korea from back here in the states? I will be insisting on the basics, average starting salary, private apartment (strong preference anyway), and airfare. Nothing special, but I can't afford to come to Korea on my own ticket to find a job. Will I be interviewed over the phone at 3 am? What was your experience?

The reason I'm asking is that I won't get my diploma (which I believe is absolutely necessary from what I've read) until 5 or six weeks after I graduate. The other information is that I will have a BA in English, and I have experience with kids from a year as an educator in the local science museum. So I'm trying to be on top of the timing.
Thanks.

Micahoz · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Location: Seattle

At the end of March, I was let go from my job because the project ended and they no longer need my services. So, around the 14th April, I was doing a search on hotjobs.com and found a posting in the Seattle listing for jobs in Korea. I had no idea that ESL type jobs even existed in Korea. So, I sent an email and that night the recruiter called me around 8PM my time from Korea and for almost a week he called me every night to chat about positions and exactly what would be the best fit for me. You can contact him yourself at [email protected] his name is Don Park and you can tell him you got his name from Micah. Now being somewhat wise, I decided to do research on this guy and could not come up with any dirt whatsoever. Nonetheless, I decided not to put all my eggs in one basket and started applying for all kinds of positions in Korea. Well, the phone started ringing off the hook and emails came flooding in. Some of the recruiters were nice, but some of them were clearly listed on the blacklist for bad recruiters. So in the end, I got to talk to a lot of recruiters, but I decided to stick with the guy that I sent the original email, Don Park, as there was something I sensed that was real genuine about him. Anyway, he presented me with a couple of different options and started the process of me doing over the phone interviews with the Korean directors of the shchool and the American teachers. One school in Seoul was really interested in me and once again, I did extensive research on this school and could not come up with any dirt. The American teachers said mostly postive things other than right now they are shorthanded and so they are working about 10 hours a week overtime. The contract I got was really great too compared to some other contracts I've seen as examples on the net. Good salary and good benefits. So, the first contact I had was on April 14th and the contract was signed and faxed on April 22nd and I am flying out on May 3rd. So the whole process from start to finish took a little over two weeks and several hours a day of my time making sure I was not getting scammed. The proof will be in the pudding when I arrive next weekend. But, at lease I can tell you that my relationship with Don seems genuine and he is really willing to do whatever it takes to make it work for both you and the school.

Good luck to you!

richinkorea · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2003 4:24 pm Post subject:

Wow, Micahoz, I can't believe you went from being out of work to on a plane to Korea so quick (well, I can believe it I guess). I think that's cool. I hope you keep posting and let us know how things turn out.

I'm curious about your previous knowledge of Korea, did you just see the ad and said "that sounds cool" or did you have an interest in the area anyways ? Are you new to teaching ?

To the OP, I'd say 2 to 3 weeks (though I'm not an expert), once you have made the decision on where you want to live and if you really want to go or not.

Peace

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2003 6:12 pm Post subject:

Yea, I'd give a maximum window of about 5 weeks. Always expect the unexpected with this stuff.

Micahoz · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Location: Seattle

Rich,

It is amazing how things just seemed to fall into place so effortlessly. Honestly before now, I have never ever thought about working in Korea and I have never thought about teaching ESL abroad until I found this post on Hotjobs.com. Previously, I have been doing project related work in the IT field. I suppose what drew me to this is that I have love Asia, been all over SE Asia, I love kids, and I am so over sitting in a isolated cubicle in highrise, staring at a computer screen. I did teach ESL to SE Asians as a volunteer during my junior and senior year of college, but that was in 1988-89 which really doesn't account for much now.

Like I said the proof will be in the pudding once I arrive in Seoul next weekend. So far things seem to be on the up-and-up! I will definitely keep up with this board once I am in Korea, post my experiences and lessons learned. And, perhaps be able to meet with some of the folks who are a part of this online community.

You take care!

Corvid · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Suwon

Thanks for all the replies. The "it happened in two weeks" story sounds great, and the " five weeks max but beware of the unexpected" gives a realistic outside timeframe. I think I'll start the negotiation a week before I expect to get the diploma. Thanks again for the help folks.

Squaffy · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: All over the place

I'd say go check it out if you can. I did re:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=3260&highlight=gent&sid=c77fef35b3f48adf156610271d88e19b

If you have no cash - I'd suggest borrow it and go see with your own eyes. Make sure you're doing the right thing.

If you can't go check it out - make some phone calls and speak to the other natives there.

Good luck.