Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daedalusfinch]

My girlfriend recently moved to Seoul to teach English, and I am looking to follow her soon. The problem is, teaching just isn't going to pay the bills with the tanking won (I'll have about 800/month in obligations in the United States). I have a bachelor's degree in English (minor in political science and german).

I'm currently a copy editor/page designer (I fix grammatical errors, do layout/make custom art for pages, and write headlines) for a newspaper of a good-sized city, and I have two years of experience in this field. I'd like to continue doing this, preferably for one of the English-language newspapers in Seoul, but I'm also interested in graphic design, marketing, advertising, and PR.

The problem is, it seems the only job listings I can find in Seoul are for teaching positions. What should I do? Should I cold-email the newspapers with my resume/cover letter/portfolio? Should I find a headhunter? Is there another route I should take?

Any advice you guys could give would be wonderful. Thanks in advance.


P.S. -- What's the attitude toward facial hair in the business culture? I have a well-maintained beard and mustache. Should I shave it for my resume picture?

[Skippy]

Your chances are slim next to none! Unless you speak Korean or know anybody (aka old boys network) you will likely get no response.

Also facial hair will be a problem! Koreans generally do not like it. True some wayguks get away with it. But ESL teachers can get awy with more then the position you would try and fill.

Well one bright spot for your future is skip the newspapers and looking in editing and book design in the ESL industry. You might find a few jobs writing and editing books.

Good Luck