Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bcjinseoul]

7 years after college and almost a year after Korea, as well as ten billion resumes sent out over the internet in terms of the job search in the good ol' US of A, I've decided to throw in the towel and head back to the land of the Morning Calm for what will be my 5th year in Korea, stockpile tons of money of the next several years once there, apply to grad/professional schools or consider something online, etc. Beats working in a call center...

Just a few things I'd like some feedback with:

1) I just turned 30. Will this really hurt my chances of getting a good job in Seoul? I'm d-o-n-e DONE with "regular" public schools, namely EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE and the slightly more time off they give than most hogwons these days, large classes, co-teachers, orientations, workshops, etc. I know I don't stand a chance with any college gig unless it's in the middle of nowhere, and forget adult hogwons and kindies.

2)I've got my heart set on after school programs and afternoon hogwons 6-7 hrs long, tops, in Seoul. Would I be better off just flying to Korea with the docs in hand and going for it once I'm there? Is Seoul REALLY that saturated?

3) Lastly, August of 2010 I began the FBI background check process, which was finished in October and Apostilled in November; something of a fall back plan I guess. Would it be possible to fly to Korea with slightly expired docs in hand, sign some kind of agreement, and just do the FBI check again? I've already started the process again, just to be safe.

Thanks.

[bcjinseoul]

One more thing: any such thing as a summer camp visa or a short term visa of sort I can pick up while I wait on the docs?

Thanks

[lifeinkorea]

Go back to the drawing board. I feel your ideas are sketchy at best and half-baked. Here are some guidelines:

1) You want to stay in Korea for a few years? Why get summer work and then full-time work after? You'll just be doing the same document process over again. I suggest you find a full-time job for a year first before doing these shorter term jobs.

2) You need new documents however you want to do it. Which is easier for you, in Korea or in the states? For me it would be back in the states. So, I would get a full time school after getting my documents.

3) Instead of ruling out options, only list the options you want to pursue.

4) The only real reason to come to an area for a job is if recruiters or schools specifically want to meet you first. Then you have the advantage over other teachers not in the area. If you get a good job offer while you have documents in the states, then there is no reason in my mind to jump ship and go to Korea prematurely. Get your documents, then go to Korea.

[myenglishisno]

Don't set up the "perfect job" in your mind and then mine the job advertisements only looking for that one job. Put your name on Worknplay or some similar site, keep pushing it to the top of the list and let the offers roll in. Spend about a month just looking at contracts and being uber picky about the details, even make some demands. Eventually you'll find something good this way.

Or even better. Fly over here and then find something. Use whatever old connections you have.

[ZIFA]

I'd be wary of coming to seoul to job hunt. You can easily end up wasting lots of cash and waiting around a couple months.

Sit at home where its cheaper. If you have what they want, then a return ticket is not an issue. Nobody is going to employ you just because you're in seoul. Market is too saturated for that to even make a difference.

[myenglishisno]

[soviet_man]

Afternoon hagwon gig pre-arranged before arrival <<< that was the best of those ideas.

If you have been here for 5+ years, you may also want to keep your eye out for some head (waygook) teacher positions going occassionally at places like YBM (sometimes).

[jlb]

It seems strange to me that after 5 years in Korea, you couldn't send a few Facebook messages or make a few Skype calls and have a prime job lined up in no time. Did you not make any connections during your time here?

[qcat79]

Jackie, he made very, very little connections. That's why he's screaming out to us to help him.

No joke.

[litebear]