Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kimuchiii]

Hello! I had a few questions that I hope a few people here with experience teaching/working in Korea could help with..

Currently I am teaching in Japan and my contract will be up this summer and I want to teach in Seoul. From what I have gathered I need:

1) My university diploma/official copy
2) A background check from my home state in the US (plus have it notarized??)
3) Resume + pic
4) A health check when I arrive in Korea

Am I missing anything and do any of those things actually require me to be in the US for them? (Mainly the background check is what I am unsure about as I have never had to get one before. )

So my main questions are:
1) Can I do everything from here in Japan (via email, parents, etc)?

2) A lot of people mentioned it is better to find schools on your own (I do NOT want to work at a Public/Private school) but how does one do that if you don't speak Korean, know anyone in Korea, etc? Most of the job listings I have seen have been posted by recruiters...

3) I have a bit of time on my hands until the summer but other than studying Korean, is there anything I can be doing now to prepare?

If you have read this far-I do appreciate it and hope you can give me feedback, even if it is to write stay the he!! away from XX school/recruiter
thanks!

[losing_touch]

Sealed University Transcripts will be required as well. You can get all of your documents without returning to the states. I did it from Bangkok. This is going to require an additional step for you though. Since you probably haven't had an E-2 visa, you are going to need to have your degree verified here in Korea. If you don't, you will need to go to the states for a stupid interview at the consulate in your area. Having the degree verified enables you to get an E-2 visa for the first time in a 3rd country. The problem is that you cannot initiate this process. You're employer must do it.

As for finding the job, I can't help you there. I knew the person I replaced. Just go through the job ads, post your resume, and do your homework regarding the contracts that come your way.

[kimuchiii]

Thanks, I appreciate the response. So the verification of my degree has to be done in Korea or at the Korean Embassy in my state? Can someone else like one of my parents there get it verified?

[waynehead]

I recently returned to Korea from China without going home to get my visa. I had parents/friends help me out by sending me the documents. If it's do-able from China, I'm sure it's do-able from Japan.

However, this was my 3rd E2 visa. If this will be your first, they might require you to go home and have an interview at your nearest consulate. But I'm not sure on this and will defer to those who're better informed - just a head's up.

[losing_touch]

[kimuchiii]

Thanks sounds like I can do everything from here in Japan. Curious though for those who didn't use a recruiter did you get a job thru friends? How does one find them? Dave seems to mainly have jobs posted by recruiters...

[losing_touch]