Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FaceFaceFace]

Hi all-

Just checking I have this straight..........

1. Read 100's of threads here (and other places) for information
2. Spam as many recruiters and job ads as possible for a job, many of which will never even get back to you
3. Get a couple of offers....... that nobody else will touch!
4. Find jobs that seem GREAT!!! ...until you run it through Google and find the school's name along with the word "black-listed"
5. Refuse to accept that and search here for any further or recent information and find half good/ half bad reviews, but mostly bad enough to put significant doubt into your mind.
6. Decide to leave it and ask friends of friends where they worked in Korea. Get excited until they recommend YBM, Pagoda and Avalon. Are they playing some sort of joke here?? The people on Dave's recommend non-chain hagwans, but then they ALSO say that the really good schools and places to work don't advertise!!!!!
7. Go crazy from staring at the screen so long and feeling like everyone is a crook with plans only to exploit and mistreat foreigner newbs

Please tell me if I have missed anything!

PS--I'm not so cynical I don't want to come to Korea, just a bit freaked out by all that I have read here on the forums.

[ttompatz]

Take a deep breath and relax.

Getting a job in Korea (or anywhere else abroad) is like buying a used car.

You walk onto the lot (browse the web page).
If they have something you are interested in then you ask about it.

You look at the contract (test drive the car).
Everything looks good so you have your mechanic have a look at it (due diligence - check the school out and talk to a current teacher when the boss is NOT looking over their shoulder).
If is is all good then you start the paperwork.
If something is not to your satisfaction, move on to the next one. There are lots of cars around.

.

[FaceFaceFace]

Thanks, ttompatz, your information is always super-helpful!!

Yes, I'm trying to keep a level head and use anything and everything I have to get a good deal in terms of employment.

Guess I'll just keep hacking away here until something good turns up

[koreatimes]

In addition, just like any used car, you will need another one. Don't forget a used car will need repairs until it is cheaper to get another one.

Don't be afraid of having an "island" feeling when your first job falls through. Your second job will feel impossible to get, until you realize it is just around the corner (if you would only look). Then your third, fourth, fifth, etc... job will be easier to find.

[Zanniati]

I'm going to agree with ttompatz. It really is like buying a used car. You have to do your research, maybe ask more experienced people what they think about contracts. Talk to people at the schools, etc. I can tell you though, good jobs are out there. I just started at a hagwon at the end of April. While I was looking for jobs, I probably spent 6-8 hours a day doing research, reading contracts, reviewing jobs, talking to recruiters, and doing interviews. It paid off. I got a great job. Short hours, reasonable pay, great director and good kids. You really just have to hang in there and make yourself look as good as possible until the right jobs comes around. Be flexible with your timing and stuff though because the jobs are around, you might just have to be in Korea 2 1/2 weeks after your interview, like me.

[FaceFaceFace]

Thanks, that's great advice. I thought I was getting a bit OTT with all the researching and emailing and hunting out jobs I have been doing but your report of doing the same thing for 6-8 hours a day makes me feel better

Congratualtions on getting a great job!!!!

[Modernist]

Just remember, the age of the students DOES matter.

Z.'s kids may be 'great', but there's no such thing as great kids under the age of about 10. Younger than that and they are just one long, long, VERY long day of sing, chant, repeat after me, play mindless game, sing some more, repeat simple words, color, draw, repeat after me, and finish with eardrum-splitting shrieking.

They may be very cute, some may be pretty smart [I have many of both in my school] but in a class/group neither thing will matter much at all to your work. Young kids like routine, Korean schools LOVE routine, and so that is ALL you will do. It is the ultimate in brain-free work.

[Zanniati]