Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mary-Jane]

I was set to head to Korea, then found out that I wasn't going to get my diploma in time. So after dealing with this, I told my recruiters I couldn't get there till next year and started planning other things to do in the meantime...

...then this job offer comes through and I'm not sure what to make of it. A large hagwon is offering me a high salary to come work for them- high, in terms that I've never taught English before, and I'm fresh from university! I was called by the director who was very pleasant but made me somewhat wary. I know it's illegal to work on a tourist visa, but he kept telling me that it was fine to do so while my E2 was being processed, or that it was 'different' in Korea and it'd be fine, kept mentioning the high end of the salary, encouraging me to go over there early.

I'm not sure why they're so keen on me if there are plenty of experienced teachers with all their necessary paperwork in Korea at the moment. And what about this visa situation? I'd rather not be deported or fined, but what if this really is the great job it sounds like, how risky is it to teach on a tourist visa?

And as I've heard of teachers being hired on the basis of their Western looks, I'm actually half-Asian.

[soviet_man]

You can't teach legally without a degree, sealed transcripts and work visa in hand.

If you are from Canada, New Zealand or Australia, you could get a H1 Working Holiday Visa (without a degree) but even then - you can't teach on that visa and it's not a good time of year for camps.

But you could work legally in: China, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and several other countries (without a degree) and then come to Korea at some later time.

[cdninkorea]

[ChuckECheese]

It appears that many hagwon directors are looking for so called "fresh meat.� Directors prey on new graduates and people who have never been to Korea. The good schools look for experienced and highly qualified teachers, but bad ones look for fresh meat who are not very familiar with the labor law and their rights so they can screw you over.

If you come to Korea on tourist visa and start teaching, you are under the mercy of the school director. If the director decides to screw you over on any condition of your contract especially your pay, you have no recourse other than �the midnight run.�

Although there are good directors who will honor your condition and terms, there are many bad ones.

My recommendation to you is if you decide to come and work illegally until you get your degree, ask the director if he is willing to pay in advance for everything including roundtrip air and your monthly salary. I�ll bet they won�t. But then, you should ask them if they don�t trust you, why you should trust them while working illegally.

[JZer]

[jinju]

[Hater Depot]

I've said it many times -- why trust someone who asks you to break the law in his very first conversation with you?

[babtangee]

Yes, working illegally is a gamble for both you and the director. Thing is, the directors gambling a moderate sized fine or bribe. No biggie. You are gambling with your personal freedom. I don't know anyone who wants to be stuck in a cell eating rice and old kimchi for a month (or however long it takes for someone to pay your deportation fee).

[jamespulis3]

Because they want you to work and it might be a lot harder to get people to come here just after nuclear test that just happened in North Korean.

[keithinkorea]

Same as above. Do not work illegally here unless you're willing to get yourself in a load of trouble. You might be OK but I wouldn't risk it, as an illegal you have no legal recourse if the shit hits the fan and the director knows this.

Don't trust him, wait till you have everything in order before you come.

The job market is very good at the moment! Too few teachers and stacks of reasonabl;e positions.

You don't need to worry about finding a half decent job, just be careful.

[ChuckECheese]

Yes! Yes! Yes! All said, however, if you do want to come and decide to work illegally, just remember, get everything paid up front including your round trip airfare so if there's anything fishy, you can tell him that it was great vacation and go back home.

Also tell the director to pay your salary up front too (even bi-monthly basis).

[Mary-Jane]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll think call him and say thanks but no thanks, not until I can be sure I can have my diploma in hand. I kept trying to say that I knew its illegal to work without an E2, but he wouldn't admit it and I didn't want to accuse him of lying! Was also thrown by that the school looks to be a branch of a wider organisation... it even has an office in London. It's still a shame, I was all set to go to Korea a few weeks ago, I could have checked this out.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[JZer]

[dulouz]

Methinks your boss thinks you are a hotty and wants to "know" you more.