Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mankind · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I think that there are 3 big winners in the present market. People that can get work fast.

Young women (for reason already stated)
Kids right out of school (low pay, easy to manipulate for a year)
Over 40 crowd (people expect them to bitch less and to just do their job. probobaly right)

The lsat 2 have been popular for a while. The first one is the big change I see. Plus man can kyopo's make a killing now if they speak a little Korean.

HAND Smile

coolsage · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:37 am Post subject:

Directors and owners are smelling an economic slowdown. Consequently, they're cheapening down: no airfare, and in some cases, no compensation for the visa run. On top of that, increasingly demanding scheduling and mix of classes, involving more (unpaid) preparation. The golden times are a thing of the past.

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

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

Well, you are Irish...

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:37 pm Post subject:

MixtecaMike · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 11:41 pm Post subject:

I am employed, so obviously not unemployable, but when I was looking from overseas I was too old, (42) wrong nationality (NZ/Oz) married with kids and in the wrong place (Mexico).

However once I got myself as far as Seoul I was able to get several interviews lined up and I took a nice job out in the boonies, which was where I wanted to be.

Supposing you really are a teacher, but don't look good on paper, you can find a job much easier when you you really are available ASAP tomorrow.

Don't believe the guys here that say you need to earn 2.4 million for hardly any hours a week, look for a school that feels right for you and you can't go wrong. (Well, probably you could, but not so easily as you could accepting a job from half way round the world).

PS Don't be afraid of recruiters, if they offer you crap jobs you don't have to take them, and I never would have found my job if I hadn't used a recruiter.

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

MixtecaMike,

Thanks for the reassuring words, it is what I need to hear right now. I must admit that although I am starting to get a few bites, the majority do not reply so I am getting a wee bit fed up. I even told one nice recruiter what I thought of hagwon directors who only want the stereotypical young female North American, not a wise idea, but we all need to vent. I am still feverishly applying, plus have some leads for international school jobs here in Indo, but the pay is low and its not where I want to be right now. I think the best thing to do is fly back, like you say, and front and centre for inspection.

Cheers

Jaga

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:46 am Post subject:

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

In Jan I'll turn 50. When I see someone reckoning on 42 as being old, even in terms of a Korean hogwan teacher, I laugh. When I was 42 I felt at my best, in the overall sense.

I'm spurning all my bosses' anxious enquiries about a second stint. The deal is not good enough and if I take it I know I'll be taken with dissonance.

I'll be filled with dissonance, cus when I encounter newly recruited "peers" in the highly sought categories and see what I see I know I have to risk it.

Actually, I havn't the slightest doubt that I'll land something that accords with my perceived station in hogwan life.

Does that help you?

diablo3 · Joined: 11 Sep 2004

32 years old and Australian? HAHA, me too . Koreans traditionally like USA teachers because they grew up with American books and movies. Unfortunately, this is the comfort zone of 99% of Korean students. Never fear teaching, just avoid slang. I had some problems initially with students understanding me for about 1 or 2 weeks. Overall, I was considered to be a popular teacher. Having an Australian accent gives students the opportunity to increase their listening skills. For them, it should be an opportunity, not a hinderance to their learning.

You will find something with no problems. But then again, you can also teach in Indoensia. If you know Indonesian like myself, then staying there will be even easier.

YOU ARE FAR FROM UNEMPLOYABLE, KOREA DEFINITELY NEEDS YOU.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

MixtecaMike says 'don't be afraid of recruiters'.
Absolutely. When you're here and looking use recruiters! Smile

Whatever it takes to get settled happily FAST.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Use recruiters if you want to, but always check things out with the school first. I have not met a completely honest recruiter yet.

This is my third year.

This is what I did, it took me over a month to find a job. I came to Busan, got a room in a yeogwan. Started checking pusanweb every day for jobs. Phoned the numbers I was interested in etc.

The reason it took me so long was that I refused to work for a "kiddies hagwan".

I ended up having to look outside of Busan because I couldn't get a job teaching adults there, at least not back in May.

You may have better luck if you are willing to work in smaller cities, as they have a hard time getting people to go there.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

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