Korean Job Discussion Forums

[just because]

[manlyboy]

[Dalton]

Conversely lets hear from people who got their job online and weren't disappointed. That's me. The only jerking around I've had to date is when I'm looking for work here. I've found they negotiate more readily and try harder when they think I'm back home. Here they play hardball. They know you need an income soon. When you apply from home all they know is that you're looking at twenty or thirty other job offers that they have to compete with. You're in the cat seat and Dave's is a wealth of good info provided management and recruiters don't mess you up with slanted responses.

I think experienced, qualified teachers with references and connections may in fact get great jobs looking here but fresh out of college newbies are likely in over their head with experienced, toughened hogwon owners and recruiters. Notwithstanding, I believe adventurous, resourceful types may enjoy the challenge. Especially if they are blonde, fit, female (male is okay in some parts) and mentally tough. No brainer there.

The same can be true at home when searching for work. A good phoned in infomercial after some research can get you an interview where showing up at the door can get you some time sitting on a chair in a receptionists room. As a former employer and job seeker I can attest to that.

Edit:
Just ask to speak to a current or former teacher if you are applying from home. Get that persons email or home phone. Ask them why they aren't re-signing. Ask them what the schedule is. Ask them if the school pays on time. Ask them if they've had any personal problems with staff or the management at the school. This has been the best advice on this forum for as long as I've been posting. A long distance call or an e-mail are cheaper than $1000 tickets and $25 a day(just for the love motel) that you will never recover.

Coming here first is unnecessary and very expensive not to mention the culture shock. A couple people have come into my school looking for a job this past month. I'm leaving. My school talked to them but they have only made offers to people who've applied online. They just love staring at those pictures (of the applicant) on their PC. Just like the last school I worked for. They also ignored walk ins and hired online.

It's an employees market. You feel free to walk around in the heat spending all your cash. I'll sit in front of my PC and email my photo around thank you. The photo is all they care about and you can talk to previous or former employees which is much more revealing than talking to recruiters or managers. People lie when money is at stake. Teachers are less likely to because they have nothing to gain from it.

[Dalton]

*bump*

[shawner88]

I agree, it's better to just come here and fine a job. I learned my lesson the hard way on Geoje-do Island.

[Dalton]

[manlyboy]

Dalton wrote:

[Dalton]

I was going to respond to your points but instead I'll recommend taht anyone interested should just read my post again. You've taken to many things out of context and asked questions that I answered in same paragraph that you've left out of your cut and paste. You completely ignored the money issue that I feel is central to this debate.

I'll answer your first point since it reveals how poorly thought out your response is.

[crazylemongirl]

I came over here blind and my first job sucked big time. Horrible schedule, 4 move in the space of a year, working illegally for a large portion of my contract and I got ripped off on wages. I didn't do the research and got the job I deserved.

One of my co-workers brothers came over and did the job hunt in country so was better placed to sort out the bad from the good. I will never blindly sign a contract again from another place. I'm goign to check out stuff, sure things can go pear shaped but at least I'm going to make a hell of a lot more informed choice then through second and third info that happens when you do a job hunt from overseas.

I don't disagree that others have landed good gigs from overseas gigs but you are putting a lot money and a year of your life in the hands of others.

[manlyboy]

Dalton wrote:

[some waygug-in]

My first year, I did the internet thing. I was relatively happy.

The next year, I paid my own way, I had one of the hardest years of my life.

I paid my own way again this year, and it's sort of OK this time, but still not as good as my first year. I won't be getting my airfare back either.
It's just not that easy once you're here, you're here.

You could say that I just lucked out that first year, but I had looked for 6 months before I decided to sign anything. I checked every black list, white list and grey list to make sure I wasn't going to get screwed. I talked to the coordinator, emailed past and current teachers. I did everything.

The risk of coming on the word of others is greatly reduced if you

DO YOUR HOMEWORK before you sign anything.

The bad part (for me) of coming here first is that it tends to make me less patient, and more willing to rush into something, because I want to start seeing some money coming in and not going out. Maybe others won't have this problem, you are the best judge of yourself.

Anyway, not to argue with anyone. It's just my 2 cents.
cheers

[Dalton]

[ActionInternational]

There are no reason, with a bit of hardwork and positive attitude, why anyone can't find a teaching job in korea (provided one is fluent in whatever language they teach), because there's always a demand for teachers here.

From experience, I prefer to come to korea first and get to know the place. This helps. This way you meet and see the people, the hogwan, the apartment, etc. It's also important to come here with an open mind and a basic understanding of the korean culture (as well as the asian culture in general). Get over the cultural shock in a totally new environment. And you gotta stay positive and focused during your jobhunt. For me, it's a challenge and an adventure. Others may prefer to go through a recruiter or school online and get straight into work.

I came here on a tight budget and did the tourist thing for a month before seriously jobhunting. I stayed in a cheap accomodation, ate in cheap local restaurents, hanged out in busy university areas and met a lot foreigners and korean students, and went sightseeing on foot and by subway with a local tourist map and a digital camera. I also took time to teach myself �ѱ� (hangul - korean alphabet) and some basic korean - easy, but very useful!

When I started to jobhunt, I applied in person to many hogwans. Of all, I got 2 bites, and job with 1 school. All this within a week. Being a goodlooking northamerican helps, but this I am not. When the hogwan can see your personality and sincerity in person, your chances are higher in getting the job. Like sales, it's a number's game. There's no problem finding a job provided you do the groundwork.

[endo]

Great topic everybody it really has helped me out.

I have recently decided to fly out to Seoul from Canada in a couple of weeks in order to look for work. It��s going to be quite the experience, but after waiting more than a month to hear back from a couple jobs and not even getting them, I��m ready to take the plunge.

I feel somewhat prepared as I have a couple grand saved up, along with a cousin working in Incheon. The plan is to fly into Korea, crash for a night or two in Incheon, then move into a homestay or hostel in Kangnam, and use it as a base to travel for perspective job interviews throughout the suburbs south of Seoul (Bundang, Anyang, Suwon, ect��).

If possible, could any of you offer any more tips for coming over and looking for work. Derrek has already helped me out immensely (thanks again), however, I could always use additional opinions.

Thanks

[endo]

Also can anybody help me out with a link for Tourist visas. I have visited the Korean Consulate of Vancouver's website and i'm a little confused;

Here's what it says:

b. No-Visa Entry

The following Nationals who want to visit Korea just for a short-term tour or transit are permitted to enter Korea with no visa according to the principles of reciprocity or priority of national interests with a tourist/transit visa status(B-2, 30days). Special status is awarded to Canadians(6 months) and Australian(90days)

I'm a Canadian, so does this mean that I can fly to Seoul from Vancouver without any visa? Do I need a return ticket, or can it be a one way?

Sorry, i'm still a newby to this whole international travel thing and I am a little confused