Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bowery4]

I copied this post (below) from the board but it seems to be aimed at E2 visa holders.
Here is the situation in whole. I am a 45 year old artist here on a tourist visa; I have been looking for work here since at least a month before I came here. I am staying until the end of November at the National Art Studio (for free) in Changdong for an artist residency (sponsored by the National Museum of Contemporary Art). I want to stay in Korea, if I can for a year or maybe longer. I have teaching experience but it was art teaching at a Catholic school (K-8, 2 and 1/2 years) and graduate (1year) school (both were more than 15 years ago). I didn't get my masters degree because I realized my collage wasn't that prestigious (important in the art field) but I did finish all my classes. Now, that seems to have been a mistake, but little did I know 14 years ago.... In any case, I am a good teacher and know I can and will like teaching children again.

Anyhow, I have been looking for a position in Seoul, since I got my cell phone, about three weeks ago. Not with a lot of luck, the age thing, even though I look young is an issue! and so is my lack of English teaching experience. Last week, I contacted a school I saw, that is near where I am staying and they offered me a part time position 3 days a week 6 hours a day for 1.2 million; they will sponsor me for my visa, provide an apartment, write a letter for immigration for part-time work 1/2 pay for my visa run, give me severance after a year and provide 1/2 pay for health insurance. It seems like a decent school and they are small but nice, I was allowed to speak in person with the former teacher and it seems good all around. I know they are getting an ok deal because I am saving a recruiters fee and only working part time (they have a full time teacher now, I will be taking over her responsablities).

The issues I have are these: they will not pay for a trip home after; they are charging 150,000 won for utilities, part of which, they explained is to pay the key fee/deposit on the apartment (which basically means I pay about 75,000 rent, I talked them down from 200,000 and negotiated the health insurance, 1/2 pay for visa run and severance pay so the director has been willing to deal with me in a meaningful way, which I like).

As I said, they are willing to write a letter to immigration to give me permission to work part time elsewhere. So my main questions are will I be able to find decent paying part time work 30,000 - 40,000? per hour and will it be ok with immigration? Will I be able to do privates? I want to keep every thing legal and good here.
Do you think this sounds ok as a deal in general? I posted the post below and it seems the best post I searched for on this board but I think he is talking about E2, which I won't be. If you have any suggestions and advise please let me know THANKS !!!

Post subject: my guide to getting permission to work at a second hagwon
I searched around last month for a post that explained this process in explicit detail but no luck, so hopefully this will help someone in the future.

If you are looking for permission to work at a second school the following is the procedure (or at least this is the procedure at Uijeongbu Immigration).

Attend at the immigration office with the following documents.

1. Your contract with the second school.
2. The second school's business registration certificate.
3. The second school's Ministry of Education certificate.
4. A copy of the schedule you will be working at your second school (don't ask me why they need this).
5. A letter from your first school's owner granting you permission to work at the second school.
6.Your university degree, immigration will take a copy (God knows why, they already have it on file from your original E-2 application).


Complete the immigration form entitled "Permission for Alteration or Addition of Employment Place", present it with the above documentation and pay the fee which, as of today, was 60,000 won. Assuming all is in order they will put a stamp in your passport granting permission to work at the new school and make a notation on the back of your ARC to reflect the second location of employment. It is very helpful to have a Korean friend tag along with you if possible. Hope this is useful in the future for somebody. Cheers.
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[kprrok]

[Captain Corea]

[Gord]

[bowery4]

Hi thanks,
Sorry, I made it a little unclear I think, it is full severance, so I think that is part of the good in the deal. And the deposit/fee is nonrefundable, part of the money they put down as key money, so, I pay an average of $75,000 rent. Internet is not included but the other things are, so I guess it is really 25,000 to 35,000 more than that really. So minus the 39,000 taxes and the 175,000-185,000 total for those things actual take home is 976,000 - 986,000 or about 13,555 - 13,694 per hour, hence the need for other work.

Kprrok,
""Housing should be provided for you, part time or full. That means they pay the deposit and such since they get it back after you leave. If you pay it, make sure they pay you for it when you leave"".

They have to provide it for part time are you sure? I think they want me to pay part of it because they don't and I actually understand them charging me something as it was explained to me. Is it possiable that it is just because it is in Seoul? I see you are not in Seoul and I am aware that I could find better and fulltime if I was willing to be outside the city but I have several reasons for wanting to be here.

What are the E4 and the E2? Isn't E2 for Korean America/Canada/England/Assusie? Gypo types, and E4 for just native speakers (like me, & where do I look that up)?
Gord,
I think you are talking about a web site with lots of workingandplaying right?
Are'nt there a lot of part time situations that pay well here? I have seen so many, and what about camps and gigs like that? It doesn't have to be permanent.

By privates, I meant can I legally advertise to give lessons privately (I am interested in teaching Art and English together, is there any institute that anyone knows of that already does this? I looked at websites for art institutes in the Hong Ik area but can't even read most of them). I would also be pretty good at teaching art history.

The main issue for me is, do you think I can get a part time job at another school (if I take this one)? I really want to be in Seoul where it seems to be true that if you are my age and have my background it is very difficult to find something fulltime, frankly I need to be 25-35 years old, or have ESorFL experience or education (but it also seems to me, the age thing will be less of an issue because I will be looking for part time). Won't they pay more since they aren't making a commitment on housing, and the rest? Lastly, sorry to repeat it but do you think is it an OK deal?

[ontheway]

I believe you will have to change to an E2 visa to teach legally. The job terms on your contract are OK (Not great) for a part time job. Although I'd personally rather see an itemization of that monthly utilities etc. item. It seems too high. But, don't give up too quickly on a full time job. Try looking outside of Seoul. Do you really need to be there every day? You can make almost the same money, live much cheaper and save much more, outside of the big cities.

Also, don't believe all the "they have to give you" this or that stuff, "cause it's the law". A lot of what posters here think is the law, isn't the law. Ask questions. Your contract is your deal. Don't try to get more later 'cause "it's the law." If you want more, get it in your contract now, or keep looking.

I would keep looking for a better, full time position. You're not too old. Dust off your experience teaching anything. Sell it.

Good Luck.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Consider paying your own utilities. If they pay, they have the 'right' to complain that you are using too much heating fuel/air con. A major intrusion into your affairs, IMO.

Consider a public school job. Seoul Metropolitan or EPIK/GEPIK programs. Full time, apt etc. Age is less of an issue with them, and now that the school year has started, and positions are not filled, the preference for 24 year old blond models hits the wall of reality.

[casey's moon]

I agree that you don't need to take a part time gig just because of your age. You're plenty young enough to get a good teaching job -- and the fact that you have a special skill (and talent ) should work in your favour. Keep looking for a full time job that you like, that will give you full housing, full visa run, etc. If you're pressed for time, maybe you should contact a recruiter -- otherwise, keep looking by yourself. There's no reason why you shouldn't find a decent situation if age is the only factor working against you.

Good luck!

[TheUrbanMyth]