Korean Job Discussion Forums

[j-rod]

Hey guys just landed in Seoul, not knowing anyone and made it to the seoul backpackers, I am a little daunted and don't know where to start for the job search, the place has blown my mind first up.


Good luck to you. Please read some of the threads here about coming to Korea without a job. They may help.....Mod Team

[Gollum]

Where are you? What part of Seoul?

[j-rod]

I'm at Iksun-Dong, Jongo-Gu, Seoul,

[chronicpride]

Good for you on being brave and coming over first. Seoul Backpackers is a good start. They don't have a job bulletin board there? Hmm...Most places like that often have some postings.

When you are out and about, look up at the signs and look for '�ܱ��� �п�'. Keep your eyes peeled, as those are english academies and they are abundant. If you see one, go upstairs and see if they are looking. If not, schools know other schools, so ask if they know anyone else that is hiring. Get your resume on http://www.worknplay.co.kr/ , as I find that they have a great concentration of Seoul area work. Make your way to foreigner populated areas, like Itaewon or Hongdae. Establish some contacts and leads from teachers that you meet.

Network. Network. Network.

And, obviously, don't sign at the first offer, without having a chance to interview others. Some people are quick to bite at the first offering and miss out on something else around the corner.

[j-rod]

I'm glad I am doing it this way it's a bit more adrenaline and worry but hopefully it will pay off doing it like this. thanks heaps for the advice

[Canucksaram]

J-rod,

If you're just looking for part-time work to save a few bucks and move on, check out www.worknplay.co.kr or www.englishspectrum.com. Tons of part-time work there.


In Korea image is just as important as your skills and your work experience. Neat hair, neat dress, proper manners and cultural sensitivy, etc. You CAN find work "outside the mold," so you definitely have options: being a freelance "cowboy teacher" or going legit with a school-sponsored work visa. The third option is, of course, to have enough of a network in place to secure work when you like it and as you like it...but that only comes with time, here in Seoul.

Good luck, and get cracking! The work is here if you want it, either through your own footwork or through channels like recruiters and agents. Both will work, both have pros and cons.

Last thing: a mobile phone is indispensible for finding part-time work. If you've got proper start-up money go get a used phone and sign up with either LG or SK and get a number (KTF won't open up new accounts due to some government penalty in place until August 20th or 21st). That phone, used in connection with the Internet, will be responsible for earning you more work than you can handle.

Cheers!

[j-rod]

have a degree in marketing, a holiday working visa, i'll have to grab a phone tommorow I think. thanks heaps for giving me a hand I appreciate it immensely.

I'm 22 6'3 with blonde hair

[Dalton]

Good luck j-rod and keep posting here.

You have the physical characteristics to be much wanted here by schools.
But that's no guarantee. I had a freind who was 6 foot 5, blonde and all the girls drooled. He found a position that the boss paid cash less than he had earned. Count your money . My pay was higher too.

The best advice I've seen over the years here is to talk to present or former teachers of the school privately. Ask them about their schedule, any problems they've had on a personal or professional level, if they're paid on time and where the local foreigner hangout is. Ask about cheap good restaurants, western fast food could kill your wallet and you in this country. Walk around looking the rest of the time and change hotels to scout a new area if you've done the current one. A couple subway stops or four should do it.

Check online jobs from every source and respond to any that fit your ideal. Hopefully your resume and a recent great headshot are on a CD or floppy.

Don't get discouraged. This is the last week of a holiday period for schools and students. Read up on the blacklists if you haven't already. No point siging with a school that made that list recently. Project a happy persona keeping in mind that the schools want you to interact well with children. Your real customers are the children.

Parents want the kids to learn. Children want to have fun. Schools want to keep the kids and increase enrollment.

Avoid recruiters for the time being. It would be a shame to spend your own bucks to come here and end up doing something you could have done from the comfort of your own livingroom-that is sign with a recruiter. A waste of money even.

Recruiters aren't evil, I use them but to give you a clue chronic pride is a recruiter and another poster offered to connect you to some (finders fee?). Thats two of the first three respondants to your post. Circling like sharks they are. But really they'll just do what you're doing now- visit a bunch of schools with you but they'll do it in slow motion. The first school or two are usually dogs and they will pressure you to sign. They get paid around $1000 by the school not you. You don't need the extra negotiating pressure now. Grab one if your stuck but ask here first. Many teachers can recommend recruiters they've used as opposed to recruiters selling themselves. They sometimes headhunt for terrible schools.

You might want to recruit yourself if you stick around here for awhile.


Last time I looked myself I hit half a dozen schools a day just walking around. Last time I used a recruiter they had me meet them an hour away, showed up late and took me to two schools. I was pressured to sign by the recruiter as well as the owner. This meet took place three days after my first contact with them. Friends I have here have had similar experiences.

Keep posting. Teachers will respond with great advice eventually. I hope I was one. Best of luck.

[just because]

Kudos to you for taking the courage to come on your own dime.

I'm betting it will more than likely pay off for you and let this be an example to others who are too frightened, or just to wussy to do the same.

[wideeyedowl]

j-rod, I don't know how things are going for you now, but my hogwon is looking for a teacher right now!

We're in Guri (just East of Seoul - subway, 15 minute bus ride) so if you would like more info PM me.

It's not at all bad here and the WJN is quite manageable (stupidly pliable) with the right tactics.

[Gollum]

I'm meeting up with him tonight. We'll figure something good out!

[rapier]

Seoul backpackers:
I stayed there briefly once. It seems to be the only backpackers hostel in Seoul, basically. I disliked it because of the crowded conditions, and they didn't even have an iron/ironing board so you could look smart for interviews.
They're friendly though.
But Seoul needs more hostels with good facilities, good rooms. They just don't seem to have that concept here. Staying in a love hotel is the only other, bitter option.

[nrvs]

[Gollum]

[matthews_world]

Gollum, have ever stayed at a yogwan? Those rooms are like tiny closets and are less money - 500,000/month or so.

Long-term places like Excellentville are the way to go. He pays 850,000 per month because of peak season. 720,000 per month there for regular month stay.

I'd like to know of more set-ups like that in Seoul if anyone's got info.