Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mistermasan]

hi. anyone have stories relating to "just showing up" in korea?

all the recruiters all the promise the same and they block jobseekers from actually talking with schools. i think i am "just gonna show up" and have a look see. i am only 40 minutes away from seoul in northeast china. if worst comes to worst, korea is on the way back back home.

[Fishead soup]

The biggest advantage about just showing up is that you can really check out your school . See the facilities and meet with your prospective boss and talk to current English teachers.

These days the paperwork for teaching legally is much more burdensome. You will have to provide an Up to date Criminal background check plus unsealed copies of your University transcripts. Plus a notaried copy of your degree.

These days it's not really feisable to just show up unless you don't mind spending a lot of time and money waiting for processing paperwork. You might want to try working it out where you are and come when the paperwork is ready.

[ttompatz]

[jugbandjames]

I don't understand why someone would do this. If you already have enough money to pay for your flight, then just save that money, let a school fly you over, and if the job is terrible find a new one and repay your ticket. If you like the job, then you've got a free flight.

[Wishmaster]

The problem, Jugbandjames, is that it is not so easy to get out of said job if it is terrible. That is why people would rather come here and search first. That E2 locks you in and you stay in until your employer says you can go. Try leaving your job and searching for another one if you haven't been at your current job for 9 months and tell me how easy it is to just change. Do you really think a Korean hagwon/public school, whatever is just going to let you waltz away from them and into another school.

Bottom line...if you've had an E2 before, have all the documents and have sufficient cash for awhile, then coming to Korea is the best option.

[jugbandjames]

So what you're saying is that you can't extend or transfer your visa to another school unless your current employer allows it? I thought you just had to give them whatever notice is required in the contract.

[ttompatz]

[mistermasan]

i am in dalian china. only a quick 40 minute flight to incheon. i thought i would get off at incheon, do some investigating and perhaps find a school. then return home for visit/paperwork gathering and let the company fly me back to sparkling korea having both parties fully confident of a good fit.

[jugbandjames]

[KubelHomer]