Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdnesl]

I've been looking for a job in Korea or Japan for over a month, mostly through recruiters. I've been in contact with at least eight recruiters, most of which have not been very helpful. Other than a few phone pre-screenings, I've only had a proper interview through one. Usually the recruiters will stop replying to my e-mails or will send me jobs but not set up interviews for me. I'm mixed (black) so I don't know how much of this has to do with race and how much is just the way recruiters operate. I've had one interview with a school that contacted me directly, and I'm starting to think maybe that's the way to go - but I see very few jobs posted by individual schools on public boards and when I posted my resume on this site only one individual school contacted me.

I'm not super-picky, I'm reasonably well-qualified, and I have my documents in hand with the exception of the consular seals. I thought I would have a job by now and I'm getting a bit frustrated.

So basically I'm wondering if it's normal to have to work with a large number of recruiters, if it's better to go to the individual schools, and if so, what would be the best ways to do so. Thank you!

[koreatimes]

Right now is a terrible time to look for a job. It might get better in February, but chances are March or April I think schools will be in a bind and need a teacher. I am not going to consider a Korea job though until around summer next year. I will see what kind of market there is in June.

Also, if you have your documents, you might as well go to the country you want to teach in and offer to go to interviews in person. This will increase your chances compared to someone in their home country who has to send their documents and be flown in if accepted. If you are there with your documents, you will have a leg up. If it is your first time though, you'll need to get an interview with the Korean consulate in your country. If I were a first time E2 applicant, I would get all my documents ready no later than February and then do my best abroad for a March-August starting position or hold off until September.

I just don't feel December through mid-February you are going to get anything.

[cdnesl]

Thanks for your quick reply! I thought the new semester started in March over there. I don't mind taking a job that starts in March or even April if I can't find anything that starts earlier; they wouldn't be hiring for those jobs now? I've been looking primarily at Korea but I'm not married to the idea of going there; would it be easier to find a job in another country?

I wouldn't really be comfortable flying over without a job in place, but I guess it's a last resort..

[koreatimes]

I don't mean to discourage you and I am not in Korea anymore, but it appears that they are not hiring as many as they used to. This means that in country teachers are at an advantage because schools don't have to foot the airfare costs.

GEPIK teachers won't be hired until March. This means current GEPIK teachers might be applying with other organizations like EPIK. As for Seoul, everyone seems to want to be there, so the available offers to us abroad probably aren't that good.

I have been reviewing contracts regularly, and it doesn't look good. Longer hours, same pay or less, and demanding bosses. I am in China and I can get a decent school job outside of major cities like Shanghai and Beijing. The pay is less than Korea, but the workload is half and not nearly as stressful. 1,000 won is .863 U.S. dollars. It was in the low 90's last time I checked.

If you have your CBC already, I understand it's good for 6 months, so keep trying if you want. I don't recommend anyone come to China with a signed contract. You should always visit the school first before you sign it.

[cdnesl]

Okay, that's all good to know.. I'll look into other countries like China as well as Korea. Thanks again!

[jakeciana]

According to posts, caucasians are preferred, but recruiters tend to make it easier to find a job. Work your connections if you have any.