Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Weigookin74]

What every newbie needs to know (when applying first time)!! Use common sense and assume what could go wrong just might. You may have a wondferful experience but there as so many unforseen. You only need read through here to encounter many horror stories and hakwons that screw their teachers. So, let me say this bluntly --> DON'T BE STUPID!! Come over here being prepared. If you have to live in your parents basement and work at McDonalds for another month or two to properly save up, then do so. Also, take the time to get your banking switched to online banking. Set up a paypal account so that funds can be easily transferred. Get a debit card that can work overseas. If you can apply for a credit card and get accepted, even better.

So many people come over unprepared and on a shoestring budget. They get screwed and then post : "HELP!" comments. Don't let this be you. You really should have a thousand bucks to live on here until you get paid. Also, save another couple of thousand and leave it in an account that can easily be transferred should you need the money. This way, you don't have to be fearful of some jerk boss. This extra cushion gives you the ability to walk away from a bad job and get one that is better.

So, again : DONT BE STUPID. Be prepared and be patient. Work that couple of extra month at McDonalds or where ever while living in parents basement and save.

People can have wonderful experiences, but they can also get royally screwed! So, be over prepared and you should have a smoother experience. Try to get into a bigger city for a hakwon. That way there are other hakwons to more easily apply for and other expats to ask for advice.

Public school is a better shot, but more difficult to get into. There are plenty of decent hakwons out there. Getting a current foriegn teachers email helps, but is never a 100 per cent gaurantee. (some may just want to get out of a bad situation as soon as possible.)

DON'T BE STUPID, be overprepared and you will save yourself a lot of grief, stress, etc. The minute a boss stops paying you, you go to the labor board. The minute he drags it out or pulls other crap, you leave and use your saved money to live off.

The minute you have an obnoxious and arrogant boss, you pack it up and leave. Have an extra 2 or 3 grand sitting in a bank account back home helps you as a safety blanket. Hakwon bosses won't be able to exploit you and hopefully over time the bad ones will go out of business.

Good luck. Be smart and enjoy your time here.

PS Don't settle.

PPS Bring 6 sticks of underarm deodorant. Everything else you can find here.

[Ballerina2012]

good post!

[lesigh]

one addendum: PPS Bring 6 sticks of underarm deodorant (and/or extra-large condoms or tampons if you need them). Everything else you can find here.

[YTMND]

[Weigookin74]

[sallymonster]

Also, if you're American, get an extra FBI check so you won't need a letter of release if you want to quit a job and get another one in Korea.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Solid advice in the OP.

I would add:

1- Figure out what you want BEFORE you contact recruiters or apply anywhere.

What you want is made up of: where you wish to work in terms of location (city, smaller town, rural), and for whom (PS, Hakwon, Uni...).

2- Get ALL your documents ready and have them IN HAND before you apply.

This will save you time and grief.

3- Figure out your market worth.

In short understand what you can expect as far as starting pay. This can be figured out by reading up on job offers and perhaps contacting a few experienced teachers if you can. Also understand that a job is about a lot more than just salary. Hours, benefits, location, work environment, duties all come into play.

4- Do your homework.

Read the FAQs here or on other such sites. Check out what an E2 visa is and what the limitations are.

5- I will second the savings issue!

Please come over with some money in case things go bad. You should always have enough funds (or available credit) on hand for at least a ticket out of the country should you need it.

6- Be ready to adapt!

Working abroad means adaptation. That can mean understanding how the workplace operates in Korea so that you can then react intelligently to things that happen and put them in their proper perspective. This will avoid knee-jerk reactions that may be wrong.

[Weigookin74]

[The Sultan of Seoul]

If you're broke and can't stant that burger flipping gig for another week - come anyway. I came here with zero coin and my work gave me a 600k won advance and I know a lot of other teachers who did the same. If they want you there at a certain time - most hakwans will hook you up with an advance.

[jeremydc808]

Thanks for the awesome posts guys!. As a proud newbie, I am soaking everything in slowly. My main concern is having enough $$. Luckily I moved back in with my mom earlier this month. I started another job and helping my mom with the COL with Hawaii so I should have at least 1,500$.


I know there will be some challenges but all I can do is prepare and take the advice.

[Son Deureo!]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[mohair_blues]

also a good idea to talk to the current teachers at the hagwon,
can save yourself alot of heartaches

[Alphonsus Jr.]

Are eye drops for those suffering from dry eyes readily available in Korea? TheraTears, for example?