Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drinkyogurtsoju]

I'm just curious because it seems like quite a few people here have occupations that's not ESL teaching.

[Drew10]

I'm not military anymore (got out a few years ago), but i'm also not an ESL teacher. I come here because there is some good information about expat issues in Korea. Plus, if i ever decided to make the leap into ESL, there's a ton of info about that too.

[CtotheB]

"Are" there any military people here.

[drinkyogurtsoju]

So what brought you to Korea if you don't mind answering? My guess is you were stationed in Korea and that played great part in you coming back.

[Drew10]

You are correct. While stationed here i met a beautiful Korean woman, we got married, and after a couple years in the states decided to come back here.

[drinkyogurtsoju]

typical story huh. So what do you do for living in korea if you don't mind answering? Because i'm in the military right now too you know.

[Drew10]

I work for a Phone retailer outside of Osan Air Base. We deal with mainly military clients. We also specialize in any foriegn clients. My role is mainly sales, but i also do managerial/operations work.

[drinkyogurtsoju]

Sounds good. I would love to live back in Korea after I get out of the army. But I need to get a job first.

[Drew10]

Honestly, your best bet is to try and secure a contractor or GS position, then you would still have access to the base (read: PX, Commissary). Once you get here as a civilian, it's almost impossible to get a job like that unless you know someone. Since i don't have those types of connections i ended up at a Korean company.

[drinkyogurtsoju]

contractor or gs postion is available for soldiers who do at least 8 years of contract. I'm getting the hell out (4 year contract) so that's not an option.

[Drew10]

No way dude, those positions are based on your qualifications. I meet plenty of GS guys and contractors that have never even served. You will have veteran's preference (even moreso if you have been deployed). So it is definitely a viable option for you.

-Edited

Like i said my main thing is networking and connections, i haven't made the right connections here to secure one of those positions yet. You can do direct hire if you don't have connections, but it's alot harder to do in Korea.

The reason for that is visa class. They want guys they can bring over under SOFA status, i have F2 status. which makes it harder for them to hire me.

[drinkyogurtsoju]

Do you know any web sites for that?

[Drew10]

PM'd.

[wiganer]

Won't the GI bill allow you to do a degree for free? That is probably your best route to coming here. English teaching isn't going anywhere anytime soon despite the numbers coming here.

[Drew10]