Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmr]

In a few months, I'll be going back to Korea for a few years with my family (wife is Korean). I have an F-5 visa.

I was wondering what other jobs besides teaching English there could be out there. Actually, not only besides teaching "English" but anything else than teaching.

Any ideas or hints about what's available to foreigners and where to look for that?

[Bibbitybop]

Koreans tend not to hire foreigners outside of teaching. You need to be a professional or offer something Koreans can't offer, like being a doctor, lawyer, consultant, architect, etc.

[sojourner1]

There is editing, travel writing, trout fishing guide, culture tour guide, and privates. I have met F-2 holders who do these sorts of things in being self employed and do really well.

If you had an F-2, you could advertise your services for anything you're can do and probably do really well if it meets someones' wants, needs, or desires. There are many options if you have F-2 visa, but if you only have an E-2 visa and stay single, then it's teaching and nothing more.

[Homer]

OP..you can find non-teaching work here but there are requirements...

You need to have a degree or professional experience in the field you wish to work in (ex: IT, Public Relations.....).

It is also highly preferable that you speak Korean well.

This being said, you need to network and know where to look.

I started a consulting agency a few years ago. I could live solely on that job but I love teaching so I split my time between the two endeavors. It took some hard work, networking and patience but I now have a steady list of regular clients and a decent reputation in my field of consulting.

I used my educational background, knowledge of Korean (culture and language) and some contacts to start this off. I work in cross-cultural training.

I started off on my own but I now employ a few contractual workers on certain contracts with companies.

You can do it but it requires that you have the appropriate background and that you work like a professional.

[Ronald]

Just the girls if you get lucky.

[Cohiba]

There are lots of non-teaching jobs here for foreigners. The immigration
picture to get an E-7 visa looks like this. From

http://www.g4f.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt?categoryId=2&parentId=380&catSeq=385&showMenuId=367&visaId=E7

-teacher of the foreign school or foreign language revisor of the public/private organization
-the one who offer technology, skill and expertise hired by the public/private organization
-the one who is proved to be able to contribute to the national competitiveness as hired by the public/private organization
-the manager or coach who is proved to be able to contribute to the sports promotion invited by the sports organization
-administrator hired by the foreign legation in Korea or foreign organization
-the core employee of the foreign invested corporation, the branch of foreign corporation or foreign company(nevertheless those who have not get the agreement of transfer from the head of present place of work are excepted)
-the one who is willing to work as a staff of regular ferry, the Geomgang Mountain Tour ship of Korean transportation corporation

I got an E7 visa saying I was a marketing specialist. Now I work for
a corporation in Incheon. You have to be creative in the way you tell
immigration what you want.

[twg]

So, the moral of the thread, OP:

Lie to immigration, or marry a Korean for the money opportunities.

[winterwawa]

Cohiba and twg, Don't you guys read before you post. He said he is married to a korean and has an F5 VISA. Why would he want, or need, to change to any other VISA type, or lie to immigration? He can do and work where ever he wants.

[Homer]

Thank you for pointing out the obvious to those who missed it winterwawa.....

Reading seems to be a dying art...

[Cohiba]

With attitudes like that I am sure I can get"Homer" and "Winterwawa" jobs
at the company I work for. Do you guys have any experience cleaning
toilets? Know how to use a broom?

[cmr]

Cohiba, chill out!

I don't think either "winterwawa" or "Homer" wrote anything agressive or insulting.

At any rate, thank you to all who had positive information to share.

[ABC KID]

[Homer]

Its all good...cohiba..keep on trucking.

As for getting me a job...you can forget it. I teach at a university as you know and my "company" job is..well..my company as I own the damn thing..(consulting agency)....so perhaps if you send me your amazing ESL resume I could give you a job taking calls in my office...hows that my man?

Can you type?
Take messages well?

[Cohiba]

I just dropped a massive coiler in the toilet at work. Better bring
a gas mask and chainsaw as well as your cleaning tools on Monday
morning.

Haha....yeah, its all good.

[Homer]

All is well then cohiba..

But really if you can type and take messages...send along your resume buddy....I will hook you up with a decent gig at reception.