Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I left Korea in March after my uni didn't renew our entire department. I had gone home during the Xmas vacation with the intent to get my CBC paperwork in person. This sort of left me in the lurch when I returned in February and began searching in earnest for a new posting.

Now I'm bored to tears and planning on returning to Korea to find work. I've gotten one reply to 20 or so resume/application packages I've submitted to various universities. I know many places in Korea wait until the very last minute but I'm getting worried.

I make it clear in my cover letter that I'm willing to fly over and interview and I'm still not getting any bites. I have about 5 years of experience in Korea, 2 at uni, 1 at adult hagwon, 1 at public middle school and a truncated kiddie hagwon contract I left for the public school job. I have a Bachelor's and 120 hour TESOL cert.

I've been told by one of the universities that I have a "strong" resume but they are holding out for MA holders and think that because of the current market in the West that they're confident they can get them.

So, what do you think, has this been your experience as well?

Finally, if this is the state of the market then am I going to damage my resume working for a hagwon after a university? I'd prefer to get into a big adult hagwon in Seoul, such as CDI or YBM rather than a public school in the boondocks or burbs. I'm thinking the adult experience will at least be somewhat useful in future university gigs and the more developed curriculum will aid me in my MA studies which I plan to begin in March of 2011.

[sigmundsmith]

I have 5 years experience. one year hogwan. 3 years public school where I taught elementary and middle school students, taught adult classes during this time and also developed a teacher training program for Korean public school teachers. Now, I am finishing up my first year at a university. Am working on my masters in tesol, have a graduate tesol certificate.

Have applied for better university jobs recently and have had no takers. Like you were told most universities are looking for masters degree and not necessarily involved with education.

The market is flooded with candidates and universities will take someone with a masters and one year experience over someone who has 5 years. Also, you are not here and there are numerous teachers here with masters degrees who can attend an interview on a moments notice.

My suggestion is to apply for one of the adult teaching gigs and then apply for university positions at a later date. Can't see it being a negative that you return to a hogwan position, as long as it is teaching adults.

[Unposter]

Every situation is different but generally universities do not hire from abroad unless you have very strong qualifications.

You may also want to look at how you are explaining why you left your last position. I don't know what happened but if an employer even "suspects" you left under a not-so-good relationship they may pass over you.

While teaching at a hakwon won't prevent you from getting another university position, it will look questionable and you will have to explain it as something you wanted to do and not something you were forced to do.

If I were in your situation, I would consider improving my qualifications rather than hop on the next available job.

[djsmnc]

I like my 5 month vacations

[chaz47]

[Hootsmon]

[cdninkorea]

There are a lot more people with MAs now than in the past, and that makes a big difference in the job market. I recommend applying for jobs at university language institutes, some of which aren't bad at all, or an adult hagwon like you said (I had a great experience at Wall Street Institute several years ago).

[toadkillerdog]

The HR people in my Uni are only considering people with a Masters or higher.