Korean Job Discussion Forums

pompomouse · Joined: 21 Jun 2005

I am currently teaching in a public school in Seoul. I am interested in teaching at a small university in Seoul or the surrounding area. I don't have an M.A. but I have a B.A. and B.Ed and I have close to six years teaching experience in Korea and in my home country of Canada.

When should I start looking for uni jobs that begin for September? What do I need to look for or keep in mind when looking at university jobs? What is the salary range I can expect? How about housing? Looking for some advice, as I like Korea and would like to stay an extra year, but don't see myself staying at my current job.

Thanks for your help.

Thiuda · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject:

You can start applying for jobs as soon as they become available on Dave's, and other sites. I suggest sending out between 20-25 applications. Based on my experience you'll get between 10-15 requests for interviews. Out of these you can choose the universities that you find most suitable to you and schedule interviews. When you go for interviews, wear a suit, arrive on time and be prepared to answer questions concerning your teaching style, and, possibly, be ready to teach a sample lesson. Given your experience and educational background I imagine you can expect between 2 to 2.5 million Won a month for 12-16 contact hours a week.

Hope that helps.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

You have been teaching for 6 years in Korea and you don't know the answers to these questions? That's ridiculous!

lawyertood · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:08 am Post subject:

First, be aware that there will probably be fewer positions available for the Fall term as it is mid-school year. You might want to target the two year colleges and the universities in smaller cities. Most big universities and universities in Seoul tend to favor those with an MA/MS/MBA/MEd or higher. Also some university-type jobs are just a little bit better than hakwon jobs--less vacation time than true uni jobs and you have to teach non-credit courses at the university language center.

Start looking in June.

If you are willing to gamble, some universities will hire last minute replacements for teachers who don't return for the second semester. You sometimes just have to be at the right place, at the right time.

Pay can vary from as low as 1.7 with housing up to close to 3 million (for the good jobs).

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

This is what I did. I went to the English Department and hand delivered my resume to a selection of universities and colleges I had in mind. If they were also advertising, I asked to speak to someone as well.

I believe there is a big difference in the way big universities, and small universities and colleges, hire their foreign staff. While the big ones may play it by the book (and thus have tons of applicants for a couple of spaces), my college abhores interview and hiring processes, and would rather take current staff's recommendations and/or aggressive applicants who mke the first move.

Point is, responding to ads will put you up against huge competition.

pompomouse · Joined: 21 Jun 2005

Zappa you might want to hone your reading skills... I have six years teaching experience in Korea and at home. That does not mean I have been teaching in Korea for six years. Exclamation

Thanks for the advice.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

stevemcgarrett · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

Mouseman,

Thiuda is not a good lead; has good intentions but his-her info is just plain wishful thinking. The staff at Iolani Palace has investigated this matter a little, although it's outside of our jurisdiction on this Rock.

First, no M.A., no top universities.
Second, better off not mixing it up with guys with names like Zappa.
Third, Dave's good Korean positions have been trickling in faster than his China ones these days. Worth a daily scan.
Fourth, the lawyer is probably right, not just talking story.
Fifth, as with top colleges in China, the early bird on the lawn of the campus gets the worm. You're there so beat a path to their doors.

I had the same problem as Ya-ta Boy. Now was that really 48 weeks in Canada. File that Jenny. Hold my calls. I'm off to see the Governor.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Actually, most unis will start the last week in August...

stevemcgarrett · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

Actually, the best universities are already hiring; a few have finished.

The lower ranked ones might hold off but I wouldn't take the risk.