Korean Job Discussion Forums

[em]

So, I've seen comments on this in other threads, but just in passing.

What is up with all the last minute, "ASAP" jobs available out there? Have y'all noticed?

Are these the schools that are SOOOOO bad that teachers did midnight runs?

Nearly ALL of the postings here on Dave's fit this description. I'm getting stuff ready so that I CAN go at a moment's notice but WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?????

I'm WAITING for a decision from a school that wants me there BEFORE July 1st, to start teaching on July 1. I'm not even sure that it is possible.

I'm sure I'm gonna catch it from all the vets on the forum for complaining before I even get over there, but really.....I'm moving to the other side of the world. Maybe I just see it as a bigger deal than it is.

Message to the seasoned vets: Would love to hear an account of what your process was like for getting to your first job in Korea!! Would be very helpful in terms of getting my (our) bearings in terms of what is normal for this whole process.

[EFL Teacher]

[em]

Thanks for the input, EFL Teacher. I'm just not used to operating this way, particularly when it is something as big (for me) as a move to Korea would be.

Anyway, for the newbies reading this, I've found a thread from awaaaay back that has some useful ASAP advice:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=3595

em

[Stunted Wookie]

Yeah that does seem to be the norm ...always in a rush, hurried, and unclear exactly what to do to organize properly....

[crazylemongirl]

Also remember that this pattern will continue for the duration of your employment. There are parents classes on friday, make our school look cool in less than 48hours. Your class has moved walk around like an idiot trying to find it...

Grr.

CLG

[em]

It won't matter so much once I'm there but right now that ASAP tendency is discombobulating me. I have a few contract possibilities in the offing. Once my last possibility fell through I applied for a bunch of jobs all at once over the course of a few days. Some are like "we need you yesterday" and some are taking their sweet time, letting days elapse between initial email, response, setting up interview, etc... It's sooooo hard to make a decision when I have varying levels of information. It's hard to make a decision when those who need a teacher yesterday are like "right, let's get you over here" and those with time to kill are...well, killing time deciding over different candidates (I'm guessing). I'm more comfortable with situations that give me at least a few weeks to get myself together, but I'm nervous about letting all of the possibilities slip by. If the ones that I'm waiting for don't choose me.....well, you get the idea. I feel like I'm trying to catch 12 runaway gerbils.

[viva]

Hi Em,

Good question. I had the same concerns when I was first applying for jobs over here. I decided to go at my pace. There are so many jobs available here, why should you go by someone else's watch? So what if they are in a hurry. You should not come until you are good and ready.

If you feel you are being rushed by a school who is handling their hiring at the last minute you should take that as an indication as to how they will handle all their affairs. (ie: informing you about changes, policies, etc. getting you a residency card, setting up your bank account, etc. etc. etc)

A sign of a good school is when they start looking for teachers early, making sure that teacher has time to prepare and get everything in order. However, a school that works on the last minute principal is not necessarily a bad school. Koreans have their own sense of time and often most things are done at the last minute, leaving you little time to prepare. For example, I work for a really great hogwon and I have no complaints about my employers. However, I am always the last to know about schedule changes, they expect me to adjust to their sudden class changes without batting an eye, and they don't see a problem with letting me know that a class has been cancelled 10 minutes after it's scheduled to start. That's just the way it is in Korea. Things are done at the last minute a lot of the time.

Moral of my rambling is do what you are comfortable with. If you miss a good opportunity becasue you wanted more time to get organized I'm sure another equally good opportunity is just around the corner. Worry not, there are heaps of jobs here. And it is completely possible to find a job that will give you a month or two between signing the contract and landing in Korea. (Mine did)

Also, all this last minute "we want you here in three days" stuff can be made a lot easier if you are well prepared. Get a lot of passport/visa photos taken. You will need them to mail to your employer, to submit to you local Korean Consulate in your home country when you are having your E2 Visa application processed before leaving, and again to hand to Korean immigration once you get here. I'd suggest having 10 pics on hand. Also, get a number of copies of your degree made and have them notarized by a lawyer. If you are prepared in these ways you won't be so overwhelmed with "To Do's" once you get the offer you are looking for.


I hope this helps

[em]

Thanks Viva. Reassuring to hear that it is actually possible to find a position without having to make snap decisions. I applied for a job two days ago and they contacted me yesterday, interviewed me this morning and offered me the job and they want me to leave in a week! Yikes!

I've already done all of the documents stuff - notarized degrees, passport photos, etc... What I haven't done is moved all my stuff out of my apartment and into my Mom's basement. Ugh! It COULD all be done in a week but....

I also wonder if I'm looking at a guaranteed visa run if I agree to head out that fast? From what I understand it takes about two weeks to process the paperwork in Korea. I know some of you see visa runs as little free vacations but I think I will have had enough of cramped plane rides once I get to the ROK.

[YellowFella]

[Morning Calm]

To Newbees:

You should be equally wary of disgruntled expats who have lived here in Korea for more than a few years. No matter what they say, they still experience culture shock, and depending on their moods, they will tell you the best or worst aspects of Korea. I'm guilty of this too.

It is a false assumption that ASAP jobs means trouble. In fact, many of the Korean employers still no not realize how difficult it is to sucessfully recruit a good teacher from overseas. They do not prepare for such task and find themselves in a "urgent situation" where they need something ASAP. You will later learn that this is a Korean trait.

Also, recruiters will throw this trick at you too. They know that it takes time to do documents because there are alot of outside forces that they have to depend on. YOU, universities, postal services, embassies, airline companies, immigration, and YOU. Because of this, recruiters will tell you ASAP even though they have plans to bring you over in the next month. It's just a way to find the people that are really serious about getting a job. Also, many lazy recruiters who put off the job search find themselves in the same predictament as the employers who are hiring directly themselves.