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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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Katie26
Joined: 06 Jan 2009
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject: ESL editors |
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Hey all,
Just having a Saturday morning browse of Dave's and saw an Editing/Writing position in Seoul, unfortunately the start date is February and I have major plans to travel when my contract ends in April
Does anyone have any experience in an editing job here? How often do they come up? What are the pros and cons of such positions? Do I need to speak Korean (my Korean is rather elementary) Is there a similar hiring period to Hagwons (August is when I want to return to K-land)? Really any advice would be great! |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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Hello,
There are editing/writing jobs here, though they aren't nearly as plentiful as teaching jobs. Maybe you'll see ads for them a couple times of year. Another thing that makes these editing jobs different is that you need to demonstrate you have skills. In other words, most jobs require you to submit previous writing work and/or take a writing test. And while speaking decent Korean is a plus, it is more important that you are a good writer. Because there aren't many of these jobs, the competition is fierce. I will illustrate with a couple examples.
I am in the process of interviewing with two publishers, both of whom have placed ads on this very site within the past few weeks. The first publisher had nearly 200 applicants apply. Of those, only 100 were chosen to come in and take the company's 4-hour writing test. Of those 100, only 5 were chosen to have an interview (I am among them). The second publisher, which I think is the one you are referring to, has a similar situation.
There are many pros to these jobs, and they include:
- more professional working environment (generally)
- working alone at a desk or occasionally working as team
- developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
- producing something tangible that you can show future employers to attest to your skills
- generally decent pay (the jobs on the board now pay between 3.5 and 4 million a month, starting)
- opportunities for advancement (both companies have foreigners who are in managerial positions, although I know they both also speak Korean well)
But these jobs have drawbacks as well:
- longer work hours (usually 9 to 6)
- fewer vacations (around 15 days a year, starting)
- working alone at a desk (some people find this boring)
- heavy work load near publishing deadlines (if the work ain't done, you ain't going home)
If that sounds good to you, then save the company's email and apply before you come back. But note that, especially with the jobs that are posted now, having writing experience is essential. Unless you are a genius, you are not going to be able to pass their writing tests without having done this sort of work before. And, more importantly, you won't qualify for the E-7 visa without previous writing experience (unless, maybe, your degree is in writing). Though some may disagree, I think a great way to get your feet wet is to do writing and editing for a hagwon. Their hiring standards aren't as high, and you will get valuable experience that will allow you to segue into these higher-paying, better jobs in the future.
Good luck to you. |
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Katie26
Joined: 06 Jan 2009
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot for all of the advice. It's certainly still something I'm interested in. I have done some writing before (limited to a years experience in marketing and editing my University newspaper). I'm supposing that a good way to start would be by offering to do some editing for free (in a bigger,more reputable company) or in a hagwon.
Do you know where I could find editing hagwon jobs? Sorry if these are silly questions just it's a very new area to me. |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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Katie26 wrote: |
Thanks a lot for all of the advice. It's certainly still something I'm interested in. I have done some writing before (limited to a years experience in marketing and editing my University newspaper). I'm supposing that a good way to start would be by offering to do some editing for free (in a bigger,more reputable company) or in a hagwon.
Do you know where I could find editing hagwon jobs? Sorry if these are silly questions just it's a very new area to me. |
Hello,
It's good that you have some writing experience. Gaining more experience will improve your writing and thus increase your chances for success. You could try writing for the English magazines here, for one. Although it is not directly related to ESL, it is real experience that will boost your writing and editing skills.
And as I mentioned before, there are hagwon jobs that specifically want writers. A few places I know that hire writers include 7s (in Bundang), Chung Dam, Topia, and YBM. 7s posts hiring ads fairly often, both here and on worknplay, which makes me think it might not be a great job, but then again, it could be a good way to get your feet wet. As for the other hagwons, they are all major academics with several branches, so they should be decent to work for. Since they don't post ads looking for writers too often, your best bet would be to email them directly asking for writing work. Show them that they need to add you to their team by highlighting your writing experience and including sample writings from your previous positions.
Do one of these entry-level jobs for a year or two and then you'll be in a better position for the nicer jobs. Of course, this is assuming you want to stay in Korea a while (the manager at one of the writing jobs has been working at the company here in Korea for over 9 years). |
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