Korean Job Discussion Forums

[samaza]

What should my actions be?

Are hostels or homestays cheaper?

I posted my resume a few days ago but haven't received any great job offers, only decent ones. Are there any physical avenues I should seek out as opposed to online venues (daves eslboard) etc.

My week in Thailand has been great but now its back to business....

[Milwaukiedave]

Well it's kind of a bad time to be coming to Korea to look for a job. Next week is a holiday week pretty much. Hopefully you'll get some responses. I'd be ready to wait out even getting a interview until a week from Monday (October 9th).

[red dog]

There are a few guesthouses around Seoul, but none are really cheap. Can you read Hangeul? If so, you could around look for a gosiwon or gositel. (They're everywhere.) You could also ask the tourism organization ... KNTO? ... to help you find one and make reservations. Gosiwons tend to be a lot more reasonable than the other options you mentioned.

[Canadian Club]

What about a hostel for a few days untill you get yourself oriented? I think I've heard good things about the backpackers hostel in Seoul... they speak English there and may be able to help you out with getting around.

[Dan The Chainsawman]

http://www.seoulyh.go.kr/english/main.htm

[Hotpants]

I've been in the same situation before. Just ask the airport tourist desk staff to help you locate somewhere cheap. They'll bend over backwards trying to help you. Then, when you've rested in a backpacker's hostel a couple of days, get someone to help you find a Goshitel or a Goshiwon. Especially if you are near a university, they will be really easy to find. There are plenty of vacancies if you visit them although not all goshiwon staff can speak English. (Perhaps get it written down beforehand what you want, or if you check out GalbiJim site, they say that they can locate a goshiwon for you if you ask.) Goshiwon prices start from as low as 200,000 a month, but an average for the Seoul area is 250,000-300,000 per month with everything included and no deposit to pay. Chuseok week next week might see a shut down of pretty much everything, but no doubt there'll still be some recruiters still trying to call out to prospective teachers throughout the early hours of Chuseok!

Just make sure you have enough funds to get home just in case your job search fails.

[Hotpants]

The 'beep' was go-see-tel.

[hydrogonian]

I arrived in the same situation on the 17th. I'm staying in the "Sheri", a yeogwan just a few meters from the yeokgok subway stop, near Bucheon, on line 1. Its behind the stairs, about a block down, on the quiter side of the subway station. The name is in roman letters on the side of the motel. I managed to make a deal with the manager for 350000 won for 30 days which is great. You should definately work out a deal for the month, whereever you go, because you'll need most of tthe time to get your visa, job, etc. The owner is a nice guy, just write down your price and point to the calander and dates. He'll understand. Hope this helps.

[jajdude]

[Hotpants]

In Seoul, I'd go for a goshiwon over a yeogwan. In a goshiwon you get all facilities and food (at least rice and noodles) included as well as internet and cable TV. In a goshiwon you don't have to worry about drunks and pimps hanging outside your door. You also don't have stained bedding in a goshiwon, and you don't have nosy people entering your room and moving everything around in the name of cleaning. You will also have free access to a washing machine and kitchen. However, a goshiwon is extremely small, so you should hope to get your own place once your teaching contract starts.

[dodgybarnet]

http://www.seoulbackpackers.com/

They are lovely. I've stayed there every time I came here lacking a job. Friendly staff and probably some other potential teachers who are in the same boat as you. It's nice to talk / drink with people.