Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jessicadowdell]

Hello all,

I've been reading these forums for a couple of weeks and hopefully have an idea of what I'm going up against, but I would like to start my planning now.

First, I'd like to point out that I'm NOT looking for an immediate job, I am contracted into a job here in the US for another school year and don't want to ditch out (not to mention I'm half-way through my two year lease).

I am a 28 year old divorced woman with a BA in English and a current teaching certicate. I'm teaching at a public high school in Las Vegas. I'm finishing my MEd (12/08 ). I have 2 1/2 years of American teaching experience, 1 year of Chinese/EFL experience, high sat/act scores and excellent references. I am the debate coach as well as the academic decathlon teacher. I also speak Spanish, French and Mandarin.

As I'm recently divorced, I think I would like to go back to Asia for a few years and it seems though Korea would be the best place.

With my qualifications, what can I expect? I grant that I have no Korean experience and would be willing to put that into the equation - but with the teaching experience and the MEd what can I ask for?

I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
Thank you
jessica

[Tobias]

With those creds, you'll be in great shape. Set your sights high and don't compromise. You should be able to easily find a job (at this site) that pays 2 1/2 to 3 million a month with airfare and room paid. This is probably the best route to go right now, given airlines are increasing their fees daily it seems. You could also simply come here on your own on a tourist visa, hit the pavement, and try to find a job somewhere, but it's doubtful you'll be able to get a reimbursement on your arrival flight. What is more, you may have to buy a round-trip ticket before leaving the states if you don't have a job lined up.

Pull up a chair and start scrolling through the Korean job threads.

Good luck.

[DongtanTony]

That was mostly good advice.

Bide your time...keep updated on the ever changing immigration regulations...but by all means...DO NOT COME ON A TOURIST VISA!!!

You must perform an interview at a Korean Consulate General's office since you will be a first time E2 visa holder.

There is only one mechanism to bypass this requirement...and it's probably too early to start filling your head with useless information...especially since things could change by the time you start your applications.

One hint...with your credentials...you may find yourself being happier in a foreign language high school. The jobs are more difficult to come by and are usually more competitive....but....generally pay well with very good vacation time.

There are loads of public school jobs these days...you want to be choosy though.

Don't settle is my best advice...and don't take anything less than 2.5...paid housing...pre-paid flights.

Good luck!!

[jboney]

check out this video on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y-k5ZRNVqk

also check out Part 2, and the View Questions that he answers. I found this very informative.

There's another video out there from a Canadian recruiter, but that just put me to sleep...

[Tobias]

[quote="DongtanTony"]
...but by all means...DO NOT COME ON A TOURIST VISA!!!

You must perform an interview at a Korean Consulate General's office since you will be a first time E2 visa holder.

There is only one mechanism to bypass this requirement...and it's probably too early to start filling your head with useless information...especially since things could change by the time you start your applications.

One hint...with your credentials...you may find yourself being happier in a foreign language high school. The jobs are more difficult to come by and are usually more competitive....but....generally pay well with very good vacation time.

There are loads of public school jobs these days...you want to be choosy though.

Don't settle is my best advice...and don't take anything less than 2.5...paid housing...pre-paid flights.

Good luck!![/quote]

Agreed.
If you can get lucky enough to find a great job that will pay you to return to the USA and jump through the visa hoops, coming here and looking around first would be an option. Good luck doing that.

The new E-2 visa baloney has made it much more expensive for first timers to come here on their own and find what they want. Thanks to more expensive air travel these days, newcomers must trust others when looking, unless, that is, they LIKE to subsidize airlines.

[Khyron]

With your creds., you might be able to make around 400,000yen/month in Japan.

Just something to ponder.

[xtchr]

Re: being divorced.

I think that it would be to your benefit to play down this aspect of your life, i.e if you can get away with it only mention it if it's directly relevant to the situation. If they don't ask, don't tell.
Some Koreans have very negative ideas about single foreign women, particularly divorced ones - even though the divorce rate here is quite high, it seems to be a very 'shameful' thing in many instances, and is hushed up as much as possible.