Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sulperman]

Sorry for the flashy post name- I don't really believe that there is a shortage of jobs in Korea. I was inspired by the post about the difficulty in finding employment in Busan. I don't know how accurate that is, or for that matter why people would be so intent on living there- I guess it has a nice, but much too crowded beach for a couple months a year, but other than that it's not so special. A lot of foreigners too, I guess....

Anyways...........do you think if it had been difficult for you to find your job here you would appreciate it more? I have long thought that one of the reasons people don't appreciate all the good things in Korea is that the jobs are so easy to come by, so you don't feel good about it- maybe like a girl who will have sex with anyone, so it devalues the whole relationship.

I certainly think it would cut down on the overly entitled "if they ask you to work an extra class once ever you should show them your contract and threaten to quit" attitude that a lot of people on this site seem to have.

If you felt lucky to get employment here in the city of your choice, would it make you happier? I think for me the answer is absolutely yes. Entry into an exclusive group is a feeling a lot of people like. So far it hasn't happened here, but it sounds like it could. How would you feel? Be honest.......

[Robot_Teacher]

It's not a shortage of jobs at this point due to any downsizing or scaling back English education, it's an excess glut of candidates looking to come this Summer, mostly of which are likely fresh grads seeking something very different than a JOB back home typically offers. I applied for EPIK in January and came late February with no problem or doubt about it. As a newbie 1st year EPIK, don't expect preferential placement or to even go to the town the recruiter told you your going.

I'm totally fine with Korea being straight up to the point about it where you apply, you meet qualifications, send your documents, and you're hired. There shouldn't be any beating around the bush on the hiring agency's part like is common back home where they tell you, "Maybe we'll call back Mr. Careerseeker," and then take 1 to 3 months to tell you no. Of course they're always going to say no as they're stalling out and things have since changed due to a volatile economic environment. Either you quality for an opening or you don't; no ambiguous if's, and's, or but's. That's good Korea works like that without wasting time. Of course, public school education and long term countrywide goals are more stable and predictable than for-profit business and economics are.

[sulperman]

Yeah, I suppose one of the things I like most about Korea is the no bull job search. You apply for the job you see, you get it if you want. But still, I always like things that are hard to get more.....

[nourozi]

It hasnt been easy getting my job! Ive been applying for a few months and I've only just got the job. I think it is due to a bad recruiter though. I changed recruiters and found a job within a few weeks.

[Draz]

It was relatively difficult to find my job here. I came to Korea on a tourist visa and spent over a month looking for something worthwhile.

It's true that I don't throw a fit if they ask me to do something extra, but it's because the job is good. They don't treat me like an indentured servant and then expect me to be thrilled about fulfilling whatever new demands they have dreamed up. If I do something extra, I'm compensated for it.

[Fishead soup]

I can't even remember the last time I flashed my contract and as a result I've had approximatly a month off for vacation for summer. About a month for winter. I never have to come in when I'm not scheduled to teach.

[ekul]

I don't think I'd ever want to be part of an exclusive group. I've experienced the hoops that recruiters in Japan want you to jump through, for a job no different, and perhaps worse than Korea.