Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nourozi]

Ive been trying to get a job in Korea since February. Im with ESL Recruitments. The first job I got was at a Hagwon, that fell through before I even got there. Then I had a Public school Job which is meant to start may 1st. Now im told it might be June or later.

Am I the only one thats getting bad luck trying to find a job in Korea? I thought it was meant to be easy once you have all your documents...

[stuck]

Not always easy to get out here, I was kept waiting for 7 weeks for my first contract. With my second school I was in the country already so started as soon as my visa was sorted. But they had about 5 teachers waiting to come out for four months (with their visas in hand) before they told them that they weren't required. I don't think it's uncommon for schools to keep a teacher waiting until the very last minute.

[nourozi]

My first Job was with a Hagwon. I sent them all my documents and was told they were received successfully. Later I was told that their enrollments were low so I was no longer required.

The second Job is with a public school. I sent them my documents. Now Im told they are constructing new classes and are not sure when they will be ready for me to start...

I hope that once/if I start teaching in Korea that things will generally go in the uphill direction.

[nomad-ish]

i've never heard of that recruiter; maybe you should try a more well-known, recommended one? i have had good experiences with canadian connection and currently doing well with esl planet. these recruiters seem more organized and "to the point" than your current recruiter.

[kasain]

For my first job I was on a plane the within 24 hours.

Emailed document to me. E signed, Then they emailed me my plane tickets.

That was back in 2007 though when you could do a Japan visa run.

One thing I do suggest doing if you get a school is E-signing yoru contract. The one week it takes for you to mail it back to Korea and the $50 dollar fedex fee is stupid.

E-sign is instant and free.

[WoBW]

Depends where you want to work, but both times I got jobs from outside Korea I applied directly to large schools, thus avoiding the recruiter as middle-man. Both times I was on a plane within a couple of days of getting my visa in my passport. Of course, not using a recriuter means you are fishing with a smaller net, but it worked for me.

When I got jobs after I was already in Korea, I used recruiters. On both occasions I started work within 2 days of the interview (and moved into the apartments provided). Yes, it meant I worked illegally for a couple of weeks before I did the visa run to Fukuoka, but again it worked for me.

These examples were before the consulate interview B.S. came along though.

Just my tuppence worth...