Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rycal1]

Everyone says that you need to be in Korea and put in some face time to land a good job. I must admit, I'm wary of doing so due to the unknown amounts of money I'd have to spend and the fact that I know almost f---all about what I'd do once I stepped off the plane. (Sure, I can/will find out more, but that's where I'm at now.)

I would love (yes, I said 'love') to have something lined up from here in the States, though it sounds like a lot of the recruiters can be shady and or unresponsive to one's, um, "needs". But surely there MUST be a good way to go about doing this...

My "needs": well, I have a Master's in English, and several years teaching experience (mostly high school English). I'm 35. Single. I'd like a uni job if possible as they seem to be the best available in many respects. And being able to save some money for travel would be great.

Any sites, services, or particular schools/unis people would recommend contacting from here in the US, or is it hopeless? You can tell me-- I can take it! Thanks.

rycal1

[denverdeath]

Go for the uni job. There are more and more being posted these days. Most of them don't pay for airfare, so you'll most likely be out of pocket for that. As well, a lot of the places provide small dormitories for housing. Mention that you'd like to speak with one of the current teachers and you can ask questions about housing, fair treatment, etc.

There are many sites you can check. Here are just a few:

www.daveseslcafe.com
www.pusanweb.com
www.eslteachersboard.com
www.tefl.com
www.workandplay.co.kr

Time's running out for you for this coming semeter, but I recommend giving it a go. Deal directly with the schools. Not many recruiters place teachers at unis anyway. If you don't make it this time around, wait for next March to land a good uni job.

[hellofaniceguy]

I want to add something...this has been covered many times in the past and is easily verified.
All businesses who want to sponsor a foreigner to work in korea, must sign a sponsor form from the Immigration Office.
This sponsor form states...not verbatim...but I'll explain...

The sponsor is responsible for all fines, etc. should the employee break the law.
The sponsor is responsible for all housing costs while in korea.
The sponsor is responsible for airfare to the home country at the end of the contract.

If the employer does not sing this sponsor form...immigration will not issue the visa.
Go to immigration and ask to see the sponsor form for yourself. In fact, a copy of the form was posted on this site sometime back.
So...why some unis don't pay for airfare...is because the teachers don't push the issue.

[rycal1]

I have to be in the States 'til late August to get my teaching credential cleared. I hope that doesn't totally screw my chances. (Maybe I should start a new thread for this topic...) Is the beginning of September simply too late (as far as actually BEING in Korea)?

rycal1

[brachy]

I received my first job, while in North America. All done online. I never even talked to the employers on the phone. And didn't go through a recruiter. I just talked to another North American who worked at the school. They sent me a ticket etc... and within 3 weeks was on a plane.

The job wasn't ideal, but it was ok. Got paid on time, and all of the benefits I was promised. I put my year in, and then from Korea moved on to bigger and better.

Good luck.... however I have heard it is more difficult to get Uni jobs without an in person interview.

[Derrek]

If you look good (white, half-way attractive) you'll land a University gig, I'd bet. But you'll want to come here first.

Go for it... take the plunge. We can walk you through it. I used www.gardenstatetravel.com back home, and they got me a good price (USA).

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You could always do a year-gig with an org like EPIK and work on landing a uni gig at the end of the contract.

[denverdeath]