Korean Job Discussion Forums

[da_moler]

I've been applying for university jobs in Seoul and am starting to wonder if I'll ever get one. I'd be grateful for anyone's advice on whether it's worth continuing to look until, say, February, or just give up and go to a hagwon.

I have an MA in TESOL, and four years of experience in Europe. I also have very good references from present and past employers.

The main drawbacks to my resume that I can see are: 1. I'm not in Korea now; and, 2. I have never taught in Korea (although I have taught many Korean students overseas).

I have tried to get around these possible problems by offering in my application letters to actually self-fund a flight to Seoul for an interview if necessary.

But so far I am having no luck, just one rejection and a lot of silence, even from places where an MA isn't strictly required.

So the question is: do you think I'm being unrealistic in hoping to get a university job with my background?

I'm tempted to just give up, but it seems ridiculous as I equal or exceed all of the stated requirements on university ads.

Please help me out! I don't want to make a mistake either way.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Your qualifications are fine. I think the problem is that you are not here now. Unis seem to prefer hiring someone that is already in country.

Since you say you are willing to buy your own ticket, what about coming over, staying in a goshiwon for a month and look for a job? If nothing turns up, you'd still be able to look for a hakwon job.

[dzeisons]

The unis in Seoul have no trouble at all filling up their positions from the pool of people already here. There's little chance they'd take a risk on you when they can't meet you face-toface. Try applying for uni jobs outside Seoul. Also, Koreans would see it as a big negative that you haven't had experience living in Korea before.

Are your references actually letters of recommendation or just contact details of referees? If it is the latter there is no way anybody would bother calling and talking to your referees- Koreans like just reading recommendations (it's less effort for them).

[da_moler]

Thanks for the advice so far.

My references are letters of recommendation, not just contact details, and they couldn't be better.

I think you're right - the problem is that I'm not actually in Korea now.

Has anybody ever got a job at a Seoul university from abroad?

[da_moler]

By the way, how is it easy for Seoul unis to fill their positions with teachers already in Korea? Isn't it pretty difficult for people who already have a job to just walk out of their contract and go to another job?

[the_beaver]

[Hotpants]