Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gartonator]

Anyone got any good leads in Busan?

What about JJ Recruiting, or RBI? CDI in Busan? Or Duke Academy? Or anywhere else? (just seen those listed recently on the job board)

Or anyone working or just leaving a school that they know is legit and in the need?

I'm not expecting much, but any help is appreciated. I've got Korean teaching experience, a good English degree, and a beard.

Thanks-

[s.tickbeat]

David Ball at Korjob recruiting, and/or try Education & vision co. I don't know if they need more teachers, but they run after-school programs which are pretty sweet: 1 - 6, no breaks, 50-minute classes, 5 classes. 2.1 mil. salary, and I love my couple's apartment (here with my husband)!

downsides: director here speaks no English. And I'm in Jangyu, affiliated with Gimhae and not Busan proper - it's about an hour transit away. However, the area is beautiful and I love where I'm living.

[jcm87]

J.J. Recruiters only sends me offers in small towns. RBI never responded after I sent them an email. There is Su at ESLJobKorea, who I'd signed a contract for, but they were offering the same position to other people and someone else who got their docs in before me. Also you don't get enrolled in the NHIC with them and the tax rate is bad (but this is very common). I had my heart set on going to Busan, especially after I had already signed a contract to go there, but I think without significant prior teaching experience it's impossible to get a job there. I have a BA from a big name school as well as TESOL certification (100+ hours) and I have heard from two different recruiters (Footprints and Gone2Korea, two major ones) that you can't get a job in Busan in a hagwon unless you're really experienced. They told me to apply for the February EPIK. Another recruiter offered me a position in Gumi, and when I told him over the phone that I only wanted a position in Busan, he said "Ummmmm.....OK. I'll call you as soon as we have a position in Busan." Another recruiter wrote back immediately and said he would help me find a job, but after asking him if it was actually realistic to find a job in Busan within the next month or two, he didn't write back. I've been in contact with over 20 recruiters and nothing promising has materialized (other than that one contract from ESLJobKorea).

Honestly if you don't have a lot of prior teaching experience or a master's I wouldn't even look for a job in Busan. You could try going to a small town nearby, or Ulsan. Or if it's a city you want than you'll have to settle for Daejeon, Gwangju, or Daegu.

[gartonator]

I've definitely 'seen' a lot of jobs posted in the Busan area, on the subway line at least - Yangsan, Gimhae, and seen some posted in central Busan.

Then again one recruiter told me that every week he gets dozens of requests for Busan, but the only schools he is filling are asking for female only (I'm of the male variety)

Then again that recruiter was in Seoul.

I've got one year of super-advanced experience and almost the best non-masters credentials possible, so I'll let you guys know if I succeed in a real Busan job. Is it possible? we'll see.

[Tigerstyleone]

[gartonator]

despite my super advanced experience, I'm looking to teach elementary, thanks for the input though

[Tigerstyleone]

[gartonator]

To each his own indeed.

You seem to want an answer to my ways.

My situation. I am in debt. I can't find a great job in the states. My experience working in TV: some months I get make a lot, some times I go nearly a year without work.

I do like Korea, have been interested in the culture since elementary school, got a black belt, it was my favorite food before I ever came to the country. I play starcraft.

I got offered 3.5 million + overtime last summer, but then found a better job back home. CDI is good, but there are better.

I'll say this for anyone who wants to play this game : If you're willing to commit to teaching AP/SAT II plus some math/US history/etc, and if you're capable, there are schools that will pay 'top dollar' for that. They are hard to find, and most recruiters will have no clue what you are talking about. You usually have to find the school directly, as they also realize few recruiters know the difference.

However those jobs almost always involve mass amounting of planning and grading unless you have very few students, or you are very experienced at teaching.

In 2006 I made 2.8 teaching 100-150 essay students with my owner's requirement that the students write one essay for every class. Meaning during winter intensives I had 750 pages of essays to grade/critique/correct per week. On top of teaching and planning 8-9 hours a day, including teaching literature, film criticism, the occasional elementary, etc. It was ludicrous, impossible, but it was somewhat a good time looking back, but I never want to do that again. I literally slept 3 or 4 hours a night for about 2 months. Everyone in the school should have been making a minimum 4 million as the workload was twice that of any other teachers I met.

Ironically that hagwon had a sister school that I was originally recruited to. (they kinda pulled a bait and switch) The sister school where I was originally supposed to go, had 25 students. The entire school. And I would have made the same salary and been able to give each student the personal attention needed to actually have a chance of doing well on the SAT, SAT II, etc.

I'm looking for an elementary job this time, as I'm burned out on essays, but I really want to work in Busan. I'll take a little over 2, not looking for 3 this time.

Tiger I assume you're a recruiter, sorry to drive you nuts!

[Tigerstyleone]

I'm not a recruiter. I'm just a teacher in Busan.
I would never work that much for 2.7million, but if it made you happy that's fine.

You're right about finding those jobs how recruiters can't help you.
You have to apply directly with the school, and usually require a teaching certificate from your country.