Korean Job Discussion Forums

Matt_22 · Joined: 22 Nov 2006

My quals aren't that great:

4 year bachelor's from US (English Minor)
120-hour TESOL certificate
1 year exp as part-time English tutor in US
a perty smile

but I was still able to get a decent 6-month contract in Suwon:

2.2 million won/month for 30 hours week
free single furnished housing
10 days paid vacation, free one-way flight, etc.

but I've read about a lot of people having contracts that are MUCH better than mine with damn near equal qualifications. is this just a matter of demanding/applying for higher paid positions through ads and recruiters and hoping that they have to resort to hiring you? or is it common for people to just apply to positions (that they probably aren't entirely qualified for) and turn on the charm during the interviews?

those of you with sweet gigs: let me know how you found em. please. i'd appreciate it. thanks.

sock · Joined: 07 Oct 2006

I think a lot of it is being available at the time that a great job comes around, and then being better looking or somehow more educated/more experienced than the competition. Being good at interviewing and making a great first impression can only help you.

Lots of good jobs are word of mouth--a friend of a friend knows of a great job around the time you need one. Other times you just happen to stumble onto something great for you, that doesn't appeal to other (potential) applicants for one reason or another.

I think your contract is really good considering that it's a six-month contract. That gives you time to test the waters, see what you like & dislike about your school/your neighborhood/etc. You'll keep your eyes open for a better job the whole time. When your six months is up, you'll have a better idea of where you can find that sweet, cushy job of your dreams.

Also, it's probably not a good thing to introduce yourself with "My quals aren't that great." Your qualifications are fine, many have better, many have worse. More important will be Korean references that you can provide in the future. Learn how to market yourself; that alone can make a huge difference in who wants to hire you.

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

Don't waste your time in Korea, go straight to Japan.
You will be treated like a dirty, poor white trash in Korea just like you said on your post on Japan forum.
Korean don't like self proclaimed a dirty, poor white trash.

Korea don't need a dirty, poor white trash like you !!

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Sock said it well. Not that many people have jobs a lot better. If you like yours, stay with it. We all want more money, better conditions, etc. Some one always has it better, others worse. Some of it's luck, some of it's persistence and impressing the right people.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Matt_22 · Joined: 22 Nov 2006

da_moler · Joined: 11 Nov 2006

The key seems to be being in Korea when you apply. I have MA TESOL, years of experience, great recommendation letters, but am consistently ignored by universities. I can only think that not being in Korea at the time of application is the reason for this. Although, it seems a bit ridiculous, because if I was living in Korea while looking for a job, would I put a motel as my address?!

sock · Joined: 07 Oct 2006

No, if you were in Korea, you would show up to the interview personally, have a chance to interact, meet the staff, look around, get a general feel for the place, etc. They'd have the chance to do (essentially) the same to you. If you found the position through a friend who also works there, he/she might introduce you, giving you a massive advantage over all the other people being interviewed. Being introduced by a friend would also virtually eliminate the possibility that some unknown, random person from overseas would be given a second thought, much less have a chance at being hired.

You'd then provide a resume with your mobile phone number, an email address, and hopefully some prior Korean references. If they wanted you, they'd make sure to get in touch with you--they might even offer you the job the same day.

Nobody would care if you were staying in a motel or not. They wouldn't even know unless you told them.

Homer · Guest

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Location: Korea, South of the border

Come to Korea, have a look around and see if you like the place first before you decide to get a job. It's a lot easier to get an idea of a place when you are there taking interviews rather than conducting it all over the phone.

KlinkKlonk · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

ye.

The only qualification I have is a completely unrelated 3 year BA univeristy degree and I have been offered the same contract as you.

One hagwon offered me a 300k signing bonus on arrival but that is to mainly buy pots and pans with because for some reason they aren't included in the flat.

I think it is because -from what i have read second hand here- is that TEFL doesn't mean anything. I don't think experience matters either. Just the face and skin colour.

Whilst perusing the china job board a LOT of them seemed to demand a modicum of actual hands on teaching experience but for lower wage and job benefits than in Korea.

starryblu · Joined: 06 Jun 2006

hello Matt_22

how were you able to find a 6 month contract?

did you have prior experience teaching in Korea or are you in the country so that it may it easier to find a 6 month contract?

could you provide the hakwon's name or refer the recruiter you used to find a 6 month contract?

any tips or info is appreciated. thanks.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

It's all about personal relationships here. Period.

You really have f--k all chance of landing a "good job" if you are on the other side of the planet. Your current contract ain't so bad really.