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What are my chances of finding a job in Korea?

 
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James8913



Joined: 19 Apr 2013
Location: California

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:38 pm    Post subject: What are my chances of finding a job in Korea? Reply with quote

I just recently graduated from my university with a BA in History and am now thinking about applying for ESL jobs in South Korea. I have not done any teaching and do not have a TESOL or equivalent certification, will this prevent me from finding a job at a hogwon? I had two friends whose qualifications were pretty much identical to mine who managed to find work at hogwons rather quickly after applying back in 2010. Also, if I were to apply to a recruiter say, within a week, would I have much of a chance of landing a job that I could start at by July or August?
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Riddy44



Joined: 03 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get your documents together first, recruiters won't really give you the time if you don't have everything ready to go. If you have your documents, if you apply to several recruiters, and if you are not picky about a location, you should be able to get a job pretty easily within your time frame. If you have a lot of demands (location, age preference, pay etc..) you might be waiting a while. Goodluck
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tellhernow



Joined: 24 Nov 2010

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Search the job boards. There are thousands of listings on Dave's. See if you qualify for anything. My guess would be a big ol' no. Not without a certificate at least.

Do you think you'd enjoy teaching, having absolutely no training or experience? Just because we speak it doesn't mean it's easy to teach.
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Otherside



Joined: 06 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you have your documents?

You need an apostilled Degree, and Criminal Record Check. Depending on where you're from, the CRC can take a while.

Once you have those documents in hand, if you aren't picky about location, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a job lined up by July/August.

For the Hagwons, it's important to note, that everything is done last minute, so many of them wouldn't be thinking 3-4 months in advance, they'll usually start the hiring process 1-2 months (or even later) before they need a teacher.
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Riddy44



Joined: 03 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh yea, I would suggest getting your TEFL/TESOL cert. You can bang one out online easily, it will give you a leg up on your competition and potentially get you 100k more a month.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Riddy44 wrote:
Oh yea, I would suggest getting your TEFL/TESOL cert. You can bang one out online easily, it will give you a leg up on your competition and potentially get you 100k more a month.


Not any more. Read the EPIK bulletin about TEFL certs.
http://www.epik.go.kr/ .
Now (effective for new applications for the fall 2013 intake) your 100 hour cert needs a minimum of 20 hours "in class". 60 hours in class for Busan EPIK (BOE).

OP:
Yes, you can get a job.
How long it takes to get a job will depend on how willing you are to take just "any job" compared to holding out for the "best job" you can get.

The more restrictions (location, salary, student ages, etc.) you place on your job requirements the longer it will take to get a job.

If you want to work 1-6 pm teaching adults in Seoul your chances are not very good.

If you don't mind 10-1 teaching kindy and 3-7 teaching elementary kids then your chances of a quick job are pretty good.

.
.
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Riddy44



Joined: 03 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttompatz wrote:
Riddy44 wrote:
Oh yea, I would suggest getting your TEFL/TESOL cert. You can bang one out online easily, it will give you a leg up on your competition and potentially get you 100k more a month.


Not any more. Read the EPIK bulletin about TEFL certs.
http://www.epik.go.kr/ .
Now (effective for new applications for the fall 2013 intake) your 100 hour cert needs a minimum of 20 hours "in class". 60 hours in class for Busan EPIK (BOE).


.
.


I knew about the Busan requirements but i did not know about the other UMOEs changing their preference, thanks for the helpful info. I suppose it's a good thing though.

OP if you got the dough I would take a course, get your feet wet a little bit, build your confidence, see if it's for you, and if you were to extend your stay past a year it would be helpful not only in Korea but some other countries as well. Also if you wanted to change from a private to a public you would have the necessary requirements.
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lithium



Joined: 18 Jun 2008

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

tellhernow wrote:
Search the job boards. There are thousands of listings on Dave's. See if you qualify for anything. My guess would be a big ol' no. Not without a certificate at least.

Do you think you'd enjoy teaching, having absolutely no training or experience? Just because we speak it doesn't mean it's easy to teach.


Laughing
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