Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fionnjameson]

Hey, folks. Quick question.

What are the chances of someone with a wife getting a job in Korea? Are schools less likely to hire someone because they are married and will require a larger housing arrangement than an officetel or are schools more likely to hire someone because they are married and can be considered to be less transient than your average Joe-Schomo from the US who just came to Korea to pay off his debts and plan on splitting ASAP?

So, to sum it up, will a married guy have a better or worse chance of getting a public school gig than anyone else?

Thanks!

[TheUrbanMyth]

About the same as a single guy. Things like qualifications, experience and recommendations (from a former Korean employer) play a bigger part. At least for the good schools.

[isitts]

[isitts]

Not sure what things are like now, but schools used to advertise preferring married couples so they could get two teachers and only pay for one housing unit.

Still, there is the option of choosing your own place and taking a subsidy for housing from the school(s) (plural, if your wife gets a job, too). That could help towards a bigger place. You'd have to talk to actual married couples who were both hired as teachers to know for sure how that works.

Less transient? Right.... (Or is your wife Korean?)

[Lucas]

[Swampfox10mm]

Most of my married friends agree that coming into a marriage in Korea means a lot less coming than when single.

[yellowdove]

I'm married and both my husband and I work at the same school. We have been doing the 'couples position' at schools across Korea for 3 years now.

Is your wife going to be teaching as well? Or just you? I'm not sure a school will be gung-ho to hire you if you're going to bring a spouse that isn't going to be doing anything. If you go with the school provided housing, they will still end up putting you into a single apartment. Depending on where you live, this could range from 20 steps from end to end, or a decent sized place with enough room for the two of you. If you go with the housing allowance, you'll be losing quite a bit of your salary to make up for the rent you'll be having to pay.

If you are looking at couples positions, the schools you're looking at will be more inclined to provide you with a larger apartment because they probably have a history of hiring couples and will have an available apartment for you.

If you are looking at taking a couples position, I can tell you that unless you have a FANTASTIC relationship with your spouse, working and living with them is going to be hard. You're going to be around them 24/7. Make sure you have separate interests (going to the gym, taking classes, playing sports, etc) so you can have your own time.

If you have any questions about coming here with a spouse, AMA.