Korean Job Discussion Forums

[siberiantiger]

I really want to work in South Korea had have had all of my documents ready to go (notarized and verified by the Korean Consulate) for two months but can't seem to find a public school job.

I applied for a Busan EPIK in early September hoping to get one of the ASAP positions for October but EPIK failed me after the interview. So I applied for EPIK March 2011 with Rowan and ESL Planet but found out two days ago that EPIK did not progress me to the interview stage. (They didn't give a reason why.) I also use Adventure Teaching for hagwon positions but they can't seem to find me anything either.

I have my documents ready to send so that's not the problem. I have a BA Honours degree, an MA degree, and am finishing a PhD (though all were in history, not English). I have a few academic publications. I'd prefer to be in a city anywhere in Korea but am happy to take a rural position. I don't have any ESL teaching experience but I have been a university graduate teaching assistant for six years teaching classes on my own. I also have one year's experience as a supply high school teacher. I've worked as a childcare provider for children aged 2 and 9. I'm comfortable teaching any level in Korea. I'm also a natural blonde, have blue eyes, and I'm from Ontario so I don't have a strong accent.

I don't really want to work in a hagwon because so many things can go wrong but EPIK doesn't seem to want me. Is there anything I can do to have a better chance or is it just too competitive?

[jaybert06]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=193131

you may be able to find some answers in there, the discussion sounds similar to what you are asking.

i don't nearly have the qualifications you do, but i have gotten a few offers and a couple contracts to look at so far. what i did was write out a form email with my name, info, where i stood on your necessary docs, my available start date, preferred age to teach, and preferred city. i also attached my resume and headshot and wrote a paragraph describing myself and why i wanted to work in korea. then i emailed that to every single recruiter who posted an advert on the korean job board for a week. probably 60% of the recruiters i emailed contacted me back, and 25% of those sent me potential positions, but i'm still getting emails.

in no means am i an expert, as i have not even definitely accepted a job yet, but this is what worked for me.

[amnsg2]

I'm not an expert either, but I've always managed to get a good response from recruiters. I can't help you with public schools because I've focused almost all my attention on hagwons but the problem might be that you just aren't using enough recruiters. Try emailing a couple more with your most polished email outlining everything you can offer them. They want a quick, easy placement so emphasise flexibility, willingness to be out there and work anywhere and highlight that you have all your documents.

I'm not sure what the problem could be if you are using different recruiters for hagwons, though. Could you stress your background in history as offering a new cultural perspective for your students? I doubt some directors care too much but they'd remember you as the highly qualified history student.

Just a thought- it could be that they think they'd have to pay you too much, I would have gone with universities with that background. It's really really unfair but they can get lesser qualified baby graduates like me on 2.1m (I'm easy to please, I still get excited about being paid in millions...)

[oldfatfarang]

O.P. Don't be discouraged. You're just way too overqualified for EPIK (they have to pay you too much & PS are intimidated by highly qualified westerners). EPIK is looking for fresh (read cheap) inexeperienced grads with a BA.

With your qualis you have a much better chance of getting a job in a uni - but you usually have to be here to interview in person for uni jobs.

You may also have a problem with your age (you didn't say) and your photo (level of perceived 'handsomeness'). Looks are everything in Korean TEFL. Again, don't be discouraged, just keep trying.

However, I'd seriously reconsider going rural in Korea. While you may think that this will be a refreshing change, it can be a nightmare (very low level students, unhappy Korean teaching staff, no supplies and underfunded, very long daily commutes from nearby cities (mine is 2.30 hours a day), no English speaking staff, xenophobia from locals (can be bad if you have to live in a small town) and so on. In rural Korea you really are the foreigner. This list isn't finished by any means).

With your qualifications, you should look at the NET program in Hong Kong - ME - or teaching at a K uni.

Good luck.

[tacticalbuddhist]

Send a professional picture with your resume but also send one or two of you posing with a kid (nieces, nephews, friend's kid) along with your emails. Make sure the kids are cute. I think my response rate from recruiters when I sent out pictures with my nephew was 80% compared to around 50% without. It's that, or show off your assets... it's crude but it works.

[liveinkorea316]

Yes, like the other poster said. How old are you? It doesn't matter to us on this forum. But it sure does matter to many employers in Korea.

[alwaysbeclosing100]

this is your problem:

I have a BA Honours degree, an MA degree, and am finishing a PhD (though all were in history, not English). I have a few academic publications.

No one wants to deal with someone with your qualifications when there are an abundance of 22 or 23 year old grads(blonde female and good looking of course) who will work for low pay and are easily manipulated. English teaching ability matters very little here usually. I'm not trying to sound harsh I'm just giving a reality check on what you have experienced.

[oldtactics]

On a related note, why are you applying for EPIK in the first place? You're qualified for a non-tenure position at a uni or college - apply for those jobs instead. Send a super-impressive package including copies of one of your published pieces. Don't get discouraged.

[siberiantiger]

Thanks to everyone for your replies! I want to address your questions/comments/suggestions so I'll try to go in order.

jaybert06: Thanks for that link! I've been following that discussion and you're right that it sounds similar. The only thing is that OP has degrees in English and a CELTA, I have neither. I'll keep sending my resume/photo out on my own (along with my preferences and docs status), hope for some interest, and keep working with my recruiters.

amnsg2: Thanks for your response. I haven't had a problem getting a recruiter and they've all said they'd have no problem placing me. Then I wait for offers from schools but few, if any, come. I've worked with Adventure Teaching, ATC, ESL Planet, and B2Corea. I did ask all of those recruiters if I should omit my MA degree (and PhD-in-progress) from my resume/applications so I could be on the same pay level as the majority of applicants and the