Korean Job Discussion Forums

CustomX · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

I've been looking for jobs for at least 3 months and right now seems to be the slowest I've seen for job offers. I've been looking for a position in Seoul but its damn near impossible to find anything decent. Most all the positions I've seen lately are either looking for Education majors, someone who has experience or certifications, female, gyopo or Canadian. The positions that are still open for newB's have either crappy working hours (9am-7pm M-F, one saturday/month), low pay (~1.8 or 1.9) or only offer a one way ticket to Korea. I keep getting recruiters trying to place me in Daegu or cities other than Seoul. This recruiter last nite said the economy in Korea is pretty bad right now so parents cant afford to send their kids to hagwons and thus teachers are having a hard time finding jobs since a lot of the hogwans are closing down. She could be BS'ing me though just to get me to go to Daegu. Can someone tell me what really is going on over in Korea? Why are hagwons being so picky of late on who they hire?

peppermint · Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 1:56 pm Post subject:

The economy is pretty bad here. and has been for the past year or so and that's definitely affecting the job market.

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

Hey, you might wanna consider somewhere other than Seoul.

I live in a "small" city of 150,000 and frankly, it's too big for me. But to each his own. There are worse things than not being in Seoul... Korea's got alot to offer in many places.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

First, you are a Chinese-American, aren't you? (This does matter) Although you speak Korean, hang out in K-Town in LA, 90% of your friends are Korean, have a 3.8GPA...

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=26475&highlight=

Next, you want 2.1 because you are gook looking, and your recruiter has a crush on you, you haven't recieved your degree yet, so you post a question about "other people" teaching without a degree, you want to see pics of the apartment before you come....

Now, you say 1.9 is bad pay, Mon-Fri 9AM to 7PM is unacceptable, you don't want to be in Seoul, you want both ways of the plane ticket paid....

You're right. There are no jobs for you here.

Sorry man, but you demand too much for a guy who has no experience, no TESL, no degree yet and are an Asian-American.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Easy there Demophobe!

Customx take your time and pick a good job. It might be better if you could afford to come over and interview in person.

If not be patient and negotiate.

List your demands to a recruiter.

Set hours 2-8 Monday to Friday

Salary dont settle for anything less than 2.0

Return airfare is standard.

The economy may be taking a bit of a beating but there are still more hogwans out there than you can shake a stick at!

Good luck

CustomX · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

peppermint · Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 4:21 pm Post subject:

Lower your expectations just a little, be open to the suburbs of Seoul, say, instead of just Seoul. As well, don't be afraid to apply for the jobs that are looking for females etc. At my current job, they said they wanted a male teacher, but they ended up hiring me.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Hey, if you want to stay out of Daegu or the rest of Korea, suits me. Just leaves more jobs for the rest of us. Laughing

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

If you really look at the jobs posted, yes, there are less then there were. I have not noticed a shortage of jobs for males. Just think about what u want. 1.9 is pretty standard now. I don't know anything about you, I just know that even when they request an american or canadian, you still should apply. Being out of Seoul is fine. SOme placea sre one hr away. As I have mentioned, I am making 1.9 and I live by the sea. It is all a trade off. I would rather live by the sea then make 2.1 in Seoul. I hate Seoul. But to each his/her own. I love my job. But, no more aout me.
Have you posted your resume, or are you just answering ads? Of corse you should not work ccrazy hours like 10 till 8, or 9 till 7, but working 10 to 6 is really not bad if you have breaks. You may get a great job.\Don't worry, jobs come in spurts. Yes lately there are not many jobs, but have you contacted "English Friends", or YMB? These places constantly hire. And they are franchises. so one may be better then the next. Like fast food chains. The Mcdonalds may be great in one area, and scuzzy in the next.
Just keep looking and appy for everything, even if you do not have the qualifications they want. Just write a cover letter with each resume, and state what you can offer the compkany. And remember, a cover letter should be taylored to the job. Have u ever worked in a camp? Then you haver experience. Did you baby sit? Then you have experience. Did u do any tutoring in school? Then you have emxerience.
Good luck,

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

Why are you coming here? to teach...or to make money? You're in the fucking pacific northwest, you can easily make 15 grand in a summer tree planting...I know i did. If you want to make money you don't have to come to Korea but if you want to TEACH (which I don't think you will want to do and will probably be unhappy) then don't come!

edit: oh yeah, teaching English in Korea is also one of those few jobs where a B.A. is useful and a B.Sc is a handicap...sorry but it's a fact. Maybe you should take a tefl/tesl course?

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I have also seen the lack of male jobs, and good jobs.

Luckily, I got in here before the big decline has taken affect, and I have more than a year's experience. I can get a job if I wish.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

I haven't seen any lack of jobs for males. Then again I am a Canadian male with 4 years of experience and had 14 jobs offers in 5 days on my last go-around. It's all how you present yourself and what qualifications and benefits you can provide the schools (as a teacher) as opposed to someone else they could hire.