Korean Job Discussion Forums

Meatex · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: SNU

Hi i'm an Australian currently living on campus at Seoul National University studying Korean but I don't have the money to continue studying so I'm hoping to get an english teaching job that will start shortly after my semester finishes (mid feb)
I have worked before - 1 year in Incheon working at a hakwon teaching elementary and middle school children and a few adults - so I have a little experience. I'm hoping to get a job relatively near to where I am currently for a number of reasons. Well 2 or 3 ^^
Last time I got my job through a friend of the hakwon boss being my professor at uni but this time it looks like the simplest option is to go through a recruiter. Can anyone recommend a decent recuiter or two (or if you know which ones to steer clear of that would be helpful)
I'm currently on a temporary visitor's visa and looking at doing the visa run to Japan thing. As I don't need an airfare will I get (or can I request) a slightly higher monthly salary?

Ideally I would like to teach in a university but I'm simply not qualified to do that so thats out. From what I hear working in a public school is quite similar to hakwons as they can both be dodgy. The difference being salary and vacation. Is that right or have I missed anything?
Also in the even that I wish to find my own place to live, I can ask the boss to increase my salary and lose the place? And how much does a hakwon or school pay for a place roughly? (so i have some idea if they are ripping me off)

Thanks for any advice

Jason

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:14 am Post subject:

To advise you...

Do you have a B.A.?

Thats the first thing to know.

Secondly, are you looking for a one year deal or just to work for a short few months until the september semester?

Hard to offer sound advice with incomplete information.

Meatex · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: SNU

haha yes i have a BA (Asian Studies)
I understand that you can't do english teaching without it (except at some camps I hear)
And Looking to work for at least a year.
then maybe continue study at the language institute here (SNU)
then probably a year or 2 of more work so i can afford to do an MA here.
Unless I get a scholarship but thats a whole different story.
Some additional info... I will be finishing second level korean and I have studied it for 2 years at uni in Australia so I guess my korean is about intermediate level.
Also I will get booted from the dorm sometime end of febuary (not sure about the exact date yet)
Did i leave anything out?

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:09 am Post subject:

Well since you have that all important B.A. and some experience you should have no trouble finding a hakwon position in Seoul.

Public Schools....its getting a bit late for the March school year start but you might be ok for a September start, thats a bit of a long wait in your situation.

Use a recruiter?

Sure you can it will speed up the process. But since you have been in Seoul for a while I do not see why you cannot find hakwons by yourself and apply directly.

Good luck.

Meatex · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: SNU

Thanks
also (if required) would a reference from a former co-worker be okay
as the hakwon boss changed for the last 2 months of my contract and he was not a cool guy so can't get a reference from him?

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:29 am Post subject:

Reference from a co-worker is usually not considered as very valid by most employers since the co-worker was in no position to evaluate your work as a Teacher.

A co-worker can be used as a character reference however.

Meatex · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: SNU

I almost have all my documents prepared, should be a week or a little bit longer. I have applied to nearly 10 recruiters and had 2 copy-paste email replies and nothing since I replied to those. And one phone call at a time a specifically told them not to call at.
Otherwise I have gotten nothing from any of the recruiters I have tried. I applied to some nearly a week ago.
Where can I find listings of jobs to apply directly to? I have tried some from the Dave's listing on this site but most are not in seoul.

Sorry if I sound impatient but i'm on a pretty tight deadline

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

http://www.worknplay.co.kr/jobseeker/jobSearchList.php
http://englishspectrum.net/jobkorea/findpeople.html
http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/edu/

i'd say don't bother with a recruiter as well. you're in seoul already so you definitely have a huge advantage. i don't think you should have much of a problem finding work by then.