Korean Job Discussion Forums

[trying2getthere]

My husband and I are searching for our first teaching gigs after watching several friends make the move successfully. But it appears that the easy-come attitude they took toward their job search is no longer the case. I know that it's an employers market...

Can anyone tell me, is it really that bad?

We have a job offer on the table with a tolerable, though not perfect, contract. But the hagwan recently switched owners so the only references I have to go on are the current teachers.

Should we just be happy that we got an offer and take the job since the market is bad, or if we hold out is another offer possible?

(for those who want to know about the things that might impact our job offers: I have a B.A. and am working on a TEFL cert. My husband is coming with me, and he has his M.A. (in language studies, but not English) We are looking for couple-preferred positions at the same school. And we want to bring our dogs. Oh, and I think we're pretty cute, but not drop dead hot, and are open to positions outside Seoul as long as it's a major city).

[wiganer]

You want to take your dogs?

Most places I have ever lived in - I couldn't even swing a cat around, never mind house a dog.

Is it an American thing to take your dog wherever you go? I am assuming you're American so if you aren't, my apologies. It's just that the only people I hear about taking their dogs to Asia are Americans.

Most housing is not really suitable for pets bigger than a parrot, you might be lucky and live near a park where you can walk them after before or after work but your living space is going to be pretty cramped. Can you not leave your dogs at home?

Getting the same workplace as your husband? Thats doable in some of the bigger hagwons I suppose.

If you really want to take your dogs then the Korean countryside is really your only option as you'll be able to get a bigger house or apartment in which to house them in. I would certainly forget about the cities.

[sluggo832004]

[trying2getthere]

Thanks for the comments!!

We are definitely bringing our two dogs. We have looked at the pro/cons on that issue extensively. (They are accustomed to apartment living, and they are both very small, 6 lbs).

That part is not really up for negotiation.

What I'd really like comments on is, given everything about us, is the job market really so tight that we should snatch up this offer, or if we wait it out is it possible for a better position to come up?

[interestedinhanguk]

[trying2getthere]

Our dogs are yorkies, 6 lbs each. They do great in our apartment, but we definitely couldn't do a studio. That's the main reason we're looking for placement at the same school, as we've been told that is the most likely way to get a larger apartment. (placement in different school might mean we both get studios, which wouldn't really help!) I'd love to hear if you agree with that, too.

The job we've been offered has a large apartment (the current teachers called it three bedrooms but only sent pics of two.. so who knows what that means!) and is in Gwangju, which we don't know much about. We think we would rather be in Daegu or Busan, but like I said, as long as we're not in the boondocks I think we'll be fine.

[Isehtis]

General consensus from those who have tried to find jobs of late (and my own experience) is that it really is that bad.

It might be worth just taking the position and riding it out for a year then finding a better job whilst you're actually in Korea.

[interestedinhanguk]

Ah, I think I was writing my post while you updated.

Anywho, Yes that's right that you would want to sign with the same school. You COULD both find schools in the same area and try to have each give you a housing allowance. Combined, you might be able to find something decent. However, you'd have to deal with the hassle of finding a place, of course. Not to mention the key money and all that (I honestly don't know much about that, but others here can help with that info).

I've never been to Gwangju, but that doesn't sound bad at all. It's a pretty good-sized city (one of Korea's provincial-level cities). Being Jeolla/Southeast is good if you want to take trips out to islands and see some fun stuff outside cities. And Gwangju is connected by KTX (high speed train) to Seoul. 3 hours or less away!

[tanklor1]

[barbaricyip]

My friend and I swung a double hire down here in Gwangju and are currently living very comfortably in a "three bedroom" apartment. It more than fits us and the cat we adopted, but the third bedroom is really more of a closet than a place I can imagine someone living in for any longer than a week. It's smaller than any dorm room I've ever been in. Apparently, there were actually three girls living in this place before us, and from the horror stories I've heard about these ladies I figure the one who got stuck in the wee bitty bedroom must have had some sort of psychotic breakdown.

[trying2getthere]

Thanks so much for the replies.

Isehtis-- this is exactly what I was wondering about. Thanks for letting me know.

Barbaricyip-- Thanks so much for the vote of confidence on Gwangju! That makes me feel a bit better.

tanklor1-- the main thing that was making me pause wasn't the town or the apt, but the fact that the school has a new owner and I'm not able to get any real references other than the current teachers. Like I said earlier, the contract details are pretty good, but not perfect (like they are requiring a deposit from my first 3 month's pay). These are the things that made me want to consider waiting it out for a different offer. But from what I've heard so far, this may be the best offer we get.

I'll wait and see if anyone weighs in on the opposite side, but you've all be very, very helpful and it's making me feel more confident about this offer.

Thanks!!

[vonjunk]

Not to discourage you, but you know South Koreans eat dogs, right?
I remember my wife standing in horror at a butchers with skinned dogs hanging in the windows...and well, it wasn't something one forgets. Nowadays South Koreans do not advertise the fact but just so you've been warned.

On an immigration note, are you sure they'll let you keep them in country?
Hope all goes well for you.

[alwaysbeclosing100]

the ideal candidate is young blond female usually not married and NAican.

frankly speaking you have a lot of baggage. dogs, husband with masters who is an extra cost, wont work outside a major city, no experience......

from a business perspective you are much more of a risk than the hogwan is. the hogwan has no idea if you can teach or can adapt to korean culture.

not meant to be harsh....just a reality check

[interestedinhanguk]

[Louis VI]