Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peppermint]

I'd suggest that you get 3-4 copies of your transcript- one that's open (universities and such want to see wether they're hiring someone with a brain or not) and the rest sealed for immigration. Lots of employers want you to get the transcripts sent to them direct from the school now- no reason to have 20 kicking around.

I wouldn't bank on finding a decent job in two weeks- it sounds like Rachel got rather lucky. Many schools will want you to pay for the visa run and then reimburse you as well.

[RachaelRoo]

I didn't realize some schools even want the transcript sent directly from the university - is that mainly for universities?
I'd still argue that 2 weeks can be plently of time for someone who is white and normal (please don't take what I say to be racist - this isn't the way I think things should be, it's the way that they just are). If he's talking to recruiters in Canada, setting up the interviews with schools that sound appropriate, and doing what research he can back in Canada, two weeks is plenty of time.
I probably did get a bit lucky, but remember that the demand for qualified teachers currently outstrips the supply here. By a lot.
Go on Dave's everyday and read every thread until you leave and you'll be well prepared.

[pegpig]

I just want the op to realize that it's not going to be as easy as you describe. You are descibing THE absolute best-case scenario. 2 days after landing you have a GREAT job. The average will be longer. 3 years ago it took me 2 weeks to find a very good job. The last 2 times around the block took me considerably more effort and headaches. In one case I ended up with a nightmare and in the other case I went back with a prior school after a month or 2 of searching. Maybe married life has aged me greatly over the past few years (probably) and the economy isn't flourishing as it was a few years ago. I'm older now, but still RIGHT sexy. However, I'm not quite as hot as I was when I took this photo
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The op will have to sift through all this crap and then make his own decision.

I would say read LESS Dave's. Come and experience it for yourself. If you read too much you'll experience what you're 'supposed' to experience.

[poof]

January is eons away...
You shouldn't worry too much about the advance planning thing if any job suits you. As you can see on this board, jobs are offered all year round in ample quantity.

With personal hindsight, for the better jobs, I would recommend waiting until Novem/Decem when the private schools advertise - ie ele and secondary - and hook yourself up with one of those, as they will start in March, when the main academic school year starts. Believe me and most others - a mainstream school is much more preferable - tons of vacation, plus more fringe benefits.

If you don't have any previous experience or teaching cert, the 'better' jobs are not so easy to come by, and you'll probably be looking for a regular hagwon, of which there are literally thousands. Such jobs are truly easy to come by - you can be offered a job in the same day as you apply (allow 2+ weeks on this for visa formalities - don't accept anything before you get the visa!.)

The latter would be more preferable than going through a recruiter on the other side of the world with you having no inkling about the actual job scene here. Just make sure you have enough cash to cover yourself for a couple of months whilst you get sorted. Time doesn't seem an issue for you, at least.

Yeah - just don't forget to arrange these nonsense transcripts before you arrive IN CASE you need them - my friend joined my company last month and wasn't required to show any transcripts - depends on luck of the draw.

[BDups]

Good god what a lot of information to process and sift through! Thanks guys! The more the better!!!

If these hogwan jobs are as plentiful as most people say, I would tend to agree with Rachael on only having to stay in those love shacks for 2-3 weeks. I understand that if I wanted to go a level or two higher than a hogwan, a) it would be much harder to get a job with my zero experience, b) i would probably have to stay in the love motels longer. But I've read in several places that (in Busan anyway) the demand for hakwon teachers is larger than the supply. And Busan is my planned arrival point so I'm not too too worried, but not cocky either.

And as for the normal looking part, Rach I totally see where you're coming from and I'm actually a bit worried..being tall, over 6', is that goofy looking? I've got the age thing on my side (23) and I'm white...but a bit lenky haha. But now that we're on the topic on appearances, I have a well maintained beard, how is facial hair viewd? should I shave it for my application pictures and for the job?

Time is definitely on my side, and I hope to ask a million more questions and get answers back from you compassionate folk ten fold.

[pegpig]

Lanky's not a problem. It's the other extreme where the problems arise.

Facial hair may be a problem. I don't have experience with that one. It's something you definitely don't see much of in Korea because Koreans generally can't grow hair other than the head and the yahoo! region. The few that do try to grow hair....well, you wish they wouldn't bother.

You may LOSE some interviews because of the beard, but you definitely won't GET any specifically because of the beard.

[RachaelRoo]

Over 6ft and lanky is perfectly normal for a white guy. I meant, like, FUNNY looking. Give the kids nightmares funny looking. You don't have to look great or even good, it's just that if you look like a real monster it might take more time to find a suitable position (you'd still find one though).
And I think Pegpig is right, your best bet is to shave the beard.

[BDups]

So off the beard goes before I send out resumés....I guess this is the first of many attachments that I will have to get used to leaving behind eh! haha

Ok, say I decide to ask for a contract before I get over there. From what I understand the contract should be as specific as possible with little ambiguity.
My biggest worry about accepting a job before I get over there is the apartment they set me up with...and the school. Is it recommended to ask for pictures of both venues? Or is there anything else I should ask for as a description of my living and working place?


Also, just a tid bit about the job itself...I've read to use stickers, pennies, candies etc etc etc as rewards for the kids doing their work. But I have also read that this could be seen as bribing them...is this a big issue? With the admin I mean?

[BDups]

God, I've got a million questions, sorry folks, I'm still searching and reading, but I love getting direct answers to my questions! So here goes another...

Say I get into a job for a few months and and it's not exactly ideal. The director is unreasonable, the other teachers aren't hospitable, my apartment is the pits, and I have to work split shifts at different schools. Do I have the right to quit, or break my contract? And if so, can I automatically go look for another job?

Hmm..I know what if situations are hard to answer because each situation is different...but some general info would help alot!

Thanks again

[RachaelRoo]

[RachaelRoo]

[peppermint]