Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sadebugo1]

I wonder if anyone could give me some first-hand information on this university in Seoul. How are the work conditions? Are the foreign staff treated professionally, etc. Any info. would be much appreciated.

[The Lemon]

I'd like to know too. I used to live in the area (Ui-Dong) and know the campus well, as my buddies and I used to walk around it and pretend to admire their lawns. They don't often (ever?) post job ads, so I assume it's a walk-in and introduce kind of place...

[dutchman]

DukSung Univ is probably one of my favorite places in Seoul. My wife graduated from there and we often go there on the weekends to let my son run around. It has one of the nicest campuses that I've seen in Korea. The area is beautiful and is probably 2-3 degrees cooler in the summer than the rest of Seoul.
As for the work conditions I can't really say. My wife says the foreign professors always stayed for a long time and seemed happy which might be a good sign. She's also pretty sure they get a nice apartment behind the school.

Good luck.

[Sadebugo1]

[The Lemon]

Colour me jealous. It is a beautiful area, with all the mountains, etc...

[Morning Calm]

As always in Korea, it's who you know. I guess one of the many ways you could "get your foot in the door" is find trying to find someone who works for the place now, hoe him/her up a bit hanging out and buying them occastional beers, and let him know that when he decideds to leave the place, have him/her hook you up.

[The Lemon]

I'd also try walking in and introducing myself, months or years in advance, saying "I'm teaching at X university but would love to teach here.. here's my CV and keep me in mind..." I certainly don't believe in waiting around for job postings. Then you're in a pile with 600 others.

Of course personal connections help, too.

[kimcheeking]

I'm with Lemon here. Early September I'm going to start cold-calling as I am looking for a job now.

[Morning Calm]

Be very professional when doing these cold calls. There are some armed guards at the gates that enjoy nothing more than telling off people who are looking for these jobs. For example, the dude at Sogang University is an American with a chip on his shoulder and likes to take it out on the applicants due to the lack of authority that he is beginning to realize he doesn't have.

[FierceInvalid]

kimcheeking wrote:

[Sadebugo1]

[Morning Calm]

Well if that's the case, just be persistant without being annoying. Internal recruitment is usually first come first server, as long as you are generally what they are looking for. Definately the people that are professionally persistant in this industry of undeveloped corporate recruiting, get the job that they want.