Korean Job Discussion Forums

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

There were a ton of jobs when I was looking in September and August. I had several recruiters offering me 4 or 5 different jobs in different locations. I did turn down jobs that offered 2.0 and 2.1 in Seoul for a job that offered 1.9 in Suwon. Why? I didn't want to live in Seoul because it's way too big and way too polluted with smog. I wouldn't rule out other cities because there are a lot of good ones out there. Suwon, Osan, Ansan, and Incheon are all close enough to Seoul and a lot of people absolutely love both Busan and Deagu. Suwon has a million people in it and is absoluely huge anyways.

You should be able to get a good job in Korea, just stay open minded and relaxed (and no more flaming skateboarder fruitbooter...hehe). There are some people who might not hire you based on your skin colour and that sucks but there are a lot of ESL teachers who work here who have darker skin and lots who have aussie/kiwi/brit accents. Remember to let them know you're a native speaker with a clean north american accent, you're young and energetic, and that you know Korean (that's your best card). I hope you like kids if you're coming to teach here (and let them know that you really enjoy being with kids). You might only get 1.9 and you might not get Seoul but that shouldn't matter if you're coming here to TEACH. peace.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

i think a lot of directors just think that females can better deal with young kids, maybe less risky (both untrue)....hard to say. my school is trying to replace me now and specified that they want a female north american teacher....crazy Rolling Eyes

.....but works to my advantage Cool

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

My friend's old school would not hire male Korean teachers and would not hire female foreign teachers.

But it's Wonderland, and I would only wish that on my worst enemy.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Us in DC · Joined: 22 Jul 2004

My guess is that if directors can be choosy, and presumably with the economy getting worse and people still wanting to come here, they can, then they are going to take the parent's ideal of what they think the teacher should look like. This is a North American female. Also, maybe they think females are less likely to go out and party every night? I don't know about that last one.

If I were the OP I would set up a standard list of wishes and decide which ones I am willing to negotiate on and which ones I am not.

IE.
Area - Any (obviously negotiable)
Pay - 1.9-2.1 neg.
Hours - 12-10 somewhat neg.
etc.

But the whole Ivy League thing (if I read that correctly, is obnoxious). Both my bf and I went to top tier schools that aren't Ivy League and I have to say that the name recognition as opposed to other schools which are just as good is plain irritating. But then again being discriminating against for being Asian American is too. So I guess it balances the scales a bit.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

Responding to the OP: Yes, jobs are harder to get at the moment. Also, you can safely ignore the Arbiter, he seems to have a problem with newbies in general, plus an ego with its own gravitational pull and an inability to admit when he's wrong (despite extensive proof.)

CustomX · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

I appreciate those who have actually responded with useful feedback. BTW, i didnt graduate from an Ivy league school, nor did I ever make any claim to. My question just came from an obvservation after looking at jobs for the last few months. I've only been able to apply for jobs for a week, ever since my diploma arrived.

Somebody had mentioned that parents dont feel as comfortable with a male teacher. The recruiter mentioned this and said there was a male teacher who had gotten a little too friendly (she said just a lot of hugging and physical contact, nothing sexual) with elementary kids (i was expexting her to say high school). At this point I'm just going to keep waiting for the right position rather than settle for something just because things are a little hard right now. Thanks again

The Man known as The Man · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject:

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

Yeah... Why do you want to go to Seoul? Dirty hole of a place.

Mankind · Joined: 18 Jan 2003