Korean Job Discussion Forums

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

I finished a 13-month work session at an English Village.
Trouble now is, the head manager is being very difficult when it comes to a reference (three public schools that called them now want nothing to do with me).
Let us say that our relationship was uncomfortable, even though I was asked more than once to return to this same EV. I plan on spending lots of time in West Seoul, Bucheon and Ilsan, and this particular manager has so far burned all of my bridges to teaching in Ilsan.

Has anyone else also had difficulty as I am experiencing now? What can I do? I refuse to teach at this school again, but if a new school sees my resume they will want to call for a chat before talking to me first. AARRGGHH!!

teachteach · Joined: 26 Mar 2008

Find a K-Friend or someone you used to tutor to vouche for you. But don't tell them you were the tutor but as a character reference. 3 Koreans who can vouche for your story would almost guarantee you a job.
Even a K-friend at EV

nomad-ish · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject:

why are you putting it on your resume if they keep bad-mouthing you to potential employers? just use another reference (if you actually need one) instead

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

Both of the academies I stopped working at burned me as references and for some pay simply because I didn't continue to work for them. Many Korean employers will lose face when you resign and become extremely bitter. That's part of working here, I guess.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I feel for you. There's not much you can do. If you drop the EV job from your resume, you look like a newbie and will get less pay. If you put them on, they burn you on the reference part. Try and get a letter of reference. You could write the letter and have the boss print it on letterhead then sign it. Or have a coworker do it for you. That worked for me. No phone calls were made.

One of the reasons I came to Korea was to get some much needed references. I got burned back in Canada and it made getting a job there super difficult. I was either pegged as overqualified (for jobs where references weren't as important) or I'd fail the reference part. I hate the fact that our lives can be in the hands of some boss.

Good luck.