Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gwangjuboy]

It's not very often I ask for advice on the job discussion forum, but here goes:

I have 6 years teaching experience in Korea - both in state schools and private langauage schools, a BA (hons) degree, an MA in a business-related subject, and I am looking to return to Korea and resume my ESL career. I would like to work with adults or high school students in Seoul or Busan, but I am open to working in other parts of the country. I am in my early thirties.

I am currently based in the UK, but I have not got anywhere with the application process. I was hoping to secure a university job but I failed in my attempts. It's clear that the market has changed immeasurably since I was last in Korea two and a half years ago, and even recruiters failed to respond. Other applications to high schools/adult schools have not worked out for me either. I should mention that I have all the necessary documents ready too, and I made this clear in my applications.

Some of my contacts 'on the ground' have suggested that it would be better if I was based in Korea while actually applying, but as they have been in secure jobs for a while I am not that convinced that they appreciate the extent to which the market has changed.

In short, I want to know the extent to which I am more likely to get a job if I am applying within Korea and the degree to which the market has changed - it is hard to distingush between the pictures of doom and gloom painted by some and the more optimistic accounts provided by others. I would greatly appreciate the feedback of people who have been through this process recently, preferably from within Korea.

I thank you warmly in advance for your advice

[plato's republic]

Gwangjuboy,

I can't assist you with your desire for inside information but I'm also looking into returning to Korea after a two-year break. I also have a BA (HONS) and an MA in the political sciences and a few years of TEFL experience. Once I get my paperwork together I'll start looking for a job. However, I'm really not sure what I'll be able to find or even if I'll be able to find anything decent over the next couple of months. I'm prepared to look all over the ROK, rather than just focusing on Seoul/Busan. However, the dearth of 'sky is falling' threads on this board over the past few months makes me wonder whether it's truly worth going through the hassle of arranging all the paperwork.

I would suggest that unless you have a lot of spare cash lying around and can afford to look for a job in Korea, it might be better to just continue your search from home right now. Also, why not look into Vietnam, China, Taiwan etc..lower level of pay for sure but a cheaper cost of living too. That's going to be my strategy. Start looking for a job in the ROK, but after a few weeks, if I still haven't found anything, I'll expand my search to other countries.

Once the global economy picks up and people start heading back home, the Korean EFL market will open up once more. Then we'll return to the more familiar situation of a lot more demand and far less supply.

For now, keep up the search and good luck. Something will come up sooner or later!

[Satchel Paige]

[Gwangjuboy]

[Junior]

[engrishprease]

If you are looking for a Seoul-only position, be prepared to look for 1-3+ months, unless you are a particularly attractive fellow or gal.

It's much faster if you are flexible with the location. In fact, it's really not worth your time or money to come here if you are looking for Seoul only jobs. Be prepared for in-person interviews as well and hope you do well because there's a lot of competition these days.

[Gwangjuboy]

[engrishprease]

[Gwangjuboy]

[jrwhite82]

He was trying to give some advice man. Jeez...

It seems over the past year, that every other month they are changing visa requirements. And if you come here without a job and work visa, you might find yourself in a sticky situation if they happen to change the rules again while you are looking for work.

However, if you are here, I think it is easier to find the higher tier jobs because you have the opportunity to show off your expertise and presentablity in an in person interview.

From what I've run into lately, a lot of the adult gigs are being picked up extremely quickly by F2s and F4s looking for part time work. They fit into their existing schedules nicely (evenings after their morning/afternoon Kindy jobs are over or early in the morning before their after school work starts)

It sounds like it would be a roll of the dice. Come here, spend your own money to get here and put yourself up for a few weeks while you find work at a school that fits all your preferences. But risk not finding that dream job at all and waste a lot of money and time in your efforts while also not making any money. Or you could find a job that might not be everything you dreamed of but then not have to invest a lot of your own money in the process. Do it for a year and then switch to a better job once your on the ground and being paid.

So is it the money or the lifestyle you are after?

[Gwangjuboy]

[jrwhite82]

I don't think things are THAT bad. Not as good as they once were, but the jobs are still out there, it just takes a bit more time and effort to get them. With your experience I would place you in the top 10-20% of teachers from a resume point of view, which makes you very marketable.

There are still just as many, if not more, Uni jobs and adult teaching jobs out there. It is just that more teachers are staying longer and more are coming here to work than ever before, so there is a lot more competition.

It will be really tough, which you have already learned, to compete for these jobs from overseas because you can't do the in person interview. But the schools have to hire someone...why shouldn't it be you if you are here?

Do you have a network of contacts you could hit up for interviews? It helps a lot to have an inside track.

Timing is everything, you want to be here and ready to go the second Uni hiring season starts.

Or get a GEPIK/EPIK HS job for a year and redevelop your contacts for the 2012 hiring season (if the world still exists by then....)

[Junior]