Korean Job Discussion Forums

[heatherchu]

I am new to this forum and to teaching. I have been searching for a Hagwon in the Pyeongtaek/Osan area to teach at starting in late September/early October. So far I have been interviewed by 2 different schools. The first one says that they do not provide airfare because of the amount of teachers already in Korea looking for jobs, they say they can easily find someone there to teach so they don't provide this. The second at first said they provided airfare and later emailed me that they had interviewed with someone already in Korea so they would not need to pay the agency fee and airfare and asked me if I had any ideas (I am assuming they want me to say I am willing to pay for my own airfare.)

I am wondering if this is truly common now or they are trying to screw me out of plane ticket money? I don't understand why they would interview with me (living in the USA) when they have so many people available for the job there? Should I hold out looking for another job that will pay for my airfare or bite the bullet and accept one of these positions? I feel like I am kind of in a rut because I am looking for a very specific area and don't want to miss out on an opportunity. Any help/advice is appreciated! Thank you!

[mermaidpower]

Every job offer I have had, contract I have seen, and interview, have all offered round trip airfare.

In fact, my husband and I agreed not to consider a job if airfare was not offered.

One recruiter told me that the airfare is not as common anymore due to budget issues. But from our first time experience this summer with 16+ interviews and 9 contract offers, airfare has been offered every time.

Hope that helps.

[YTMND]

It doesn't matter if the economy is bad now. The recruiter or school was just softening the blow. It is always cheaper to hire within the country. No airfare, no visa issues besides just transferring.

If they talk to you in the US and then find someone else in the country, then this is quite normal. You are their backup.

If you are in Korea and want to be in central Seoul, you might hold off and wait for a no show by another teacher. If you have your documents all ready you might want to get the cheapest ticket and then meet with these schools in person. Then, it will be you that is in the country.

They will have to pay for the visa run which means they still pay airfare, just not the flight to Korea. This is the safest way to get a new school.

If the school is bad and they give airfare, then you are stuck with that school. If the school is good, then paying the airfare is a small amount of money in comparison to working a full year without major problems.

Also realize, if the school is bad and you decide to leave the country you'll be paying airfare to return. Airfare is not one of those essentials you can go to labor board over like you can with pay and severance.

A flight is about half your salary, would you rather work 2 weeks and make that money up or continue looking? If you have the finances to keep looking, then you have the finances to get airfare.

[beentheredonethat777]

Should I hold out looking for another job that will pay for my airfare or bite the bullet and accept one of these positions?