Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xanthekelsylva]

I won't go into the details, but I got let go this week. I never got an ARC for this job, and I have 2 weeks to find a job and my former employer will forward them the documents. Problem is, I feel really lost and overwhelmed trying to find a job now that I'm here, more than I did when I was at home for some reason.

Any advice on this?

[meaghan]

my sympathies. did you just get here?

as far as advice goes, number one thing is relax. you've got two things going for you now that you didn't have when you were looking for jobs at home. fist one is, you are already here, so your new school doesn't have to fly you over. Second one is, you already have a work visa that your old school is wiling to transfer, so your new school won't have to wait on paperwork getting processed.

you've got some time, so apply for as many jobs as you can, and something will come up. you'll probably find a lot of jobs that are SPECIFICALLY looking for people in your situation (it happens a lot).

Good luck!

[Troglodyte]

I think that we need some more details.

Is this your first time in Korea? If not, you're eligible for a visa run to Japan to get the E2.

Did you get an E2 visa already? Whether or not you got the ARC is one thing. If you are here as a tourist, you've got a clean slate (relatively). If you already have an E2, you may have to transfer to another school. Some people say this is no problem at any time during your stay here (with a letter of release), but some people have had a problem doing before the 6 month (or even 9 month) mark. If you've only been here a few weeks (since you didn't get the ARC yet, i presume you've been here less than 90 days) you might have to ask at a couple of different immigration offices about transferring the visa. Some will likely say "No."

That aside, to FIND a new job, you've got an advantage over all the other applicants --> you're here and can do an in person interview. Write to as many recruiters as you can find email addresses for. Tell them your situation (i.e. that you are being let go because the school is downsizing, suffered a big financial hit, or is whatever other reason that has absolutely nothing to do with you, your personality or your teaching skills). Tell them that your school will give you a letter of release and that you have all your documents ready and in hand.

Make sure that you have a cell phone so that people can call you. They need to be able to contact you on a moments notice when some school asks them to find a teacher.

What city are you in? Are there other hogwans downtown? Go door-to-door asking if anyone is hiring and leave them your resume and contact info (don't give them an address, just a city, email and phone number). So you need to make up a resume with a little portrait photo of you in the corner. It should have your name, email and phone number at the top. You can make up some business cards with your contact info on them. If you're American or Canadian, be sure to add that into the resume/business card as well. Tell them the situation and ask if the schools are hiring. Try not to sound desperate for a job. You're just out asking around now. You'll wait to see what you get offered when the offers come in (but of course you'd consider accepting something really good on short notice if such an offer was made). When you go around to the schools, try to dress nicely. If the hogwans are adult hogwans, try to wear a shirt and tie. If it's for kids, a tie might not be necessary but it can't hurt. Just try to look fashionable and professional.

Just a note, what documents do you have available? If you don't have an E2 already and therefore need to get one, do you have the right documents for the post-Sept. 1st regulations?