Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teaster]

I've already begun gathering the paperwork for my dog. But, I need advice on finding an employer that won't mind him living in my apartment. Obviously, I plan on paying for his flight and what not. I'm just not sure if there is a good way to ask an employer about it or, if there are schools/areas that are more likely to be accepting about it.

[SeoulNate]

If it's quiet, don't ask, just do it. Most places will tell you no pets allowed, but aren't going to kick you out for it.

Just have someone other than your school pick you up at the airport, leave the dog with them for a day or two, then move it into your place when it's ready.

The biggest concern that I would have is more the size of the apartment and the hours you are going to work.

As a noobie the size will be most likely small and the hours will most likely be long. That isnt a very friendly place to stick your dog.

[Skippy]

Two old post that are slightly relevant.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2725316
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2551335

Your problem are this. I might be rehashing from the above threads.

First your employer could very likely say yes, but the landlord could very likely say no when you get here. Many times housing is provided by employer and is already set up. So changing to a new place that, will allow could very likely not happen. You will be stuck in the position of get rid of dog or find a new place. Plus having to pay the deposit and rent yourself.

Second, your hireability has gone down. For many recruiters and employers when they have to deal extra problems like a dog added to the mix could very likely drop you and go for an easier hire. If you tell them you can expect them to quickly be unreachable.

[archaeologist5]

[teaster]

So, is this something I should be mentioning in the interview or waiting until I am offered the job. Does anyone have friends that were accepted at one school with their dog or know of a recruiter that has helped find a job for someone with a dog.

I guess my next question is would I have better luck just replying to ads on here or should I actually apply to a recruiter and have them attempt to find me a school that would allow my dog to come?

[PatrickGHBusan]

[teaster]

Thanks for the input guys!

I've already decided to bring my dog. I've done the research here and on blogs, etc. and I've made the decision.

I am definitely going to be honest about it as I do not want to get to Korea, my landlord find out I have a dog, and end up homeless in a foreign country. Yeah, doesn't sound too ideal.

Any Advice on recruiters who have a track record of awesome jobs for girls with dogs? I'm not being picky about location so, I don't think I'm going to have as hard of a time as I am imagining when it comes to finding a job.

[archaeologist5]

Any Advice on recruiters who have a track record of awesome jobs for girls with dogs?

Doesn't matter. Dogs are a non-issue and recruiters do not care.

[Ginormousaurus]

[archaeologist5]

[knee-highs]

[Skippy]

Let me reiterate. Dogs are nice creatures. Me I am more of a cat person. I am also not saying people can not live in Korea and not have pets. It is done. My advice is for people to have some time under their belt before getting a pet. I know many people who have pets here and the situations has varied from fine to big problems.

One problem is, that dogs are a form of baggage. Recruiters and school want easy, they do not want problems and hassles. Baggage can vary from age to health to children. Baggage in its many forms are going to make finding a job and living in Korea more difficult.

Do you understand the nature of recruiters? They do not work for the waygook teacher. They get paid by the school to find them a person. They want to find a person and place them quickly or easily. They want the least amount of work for the most money. Papers not ready, bottom of the pile you go. Have a whole bunch of conditions and questions, their email seems to stop working. Need a lot of hand holding and you will get dumped quickly. A recruiter has a choice between a woman with a dog in a third country and an older guy with no pets in Korea. They will likely go with the guy as he will be the easier hire.

Remember it is also the schools that do the hiring. In this market if given a choice a person with a dog or not. The school will likely go easy and that would be the no dog person. Like recruiters the schools want ease. Thus recruiters assuming that they are going to be like that at times not submit applicants that seem problematic. Sometimes if the need some one quickly they will put up with baggage.

Also with schools is that they can be a real crap shoot at times. I mean I have heard stories of a teacher fresh off the plane being left behind at the airport because they are too fat. Employers can be very fickle at times. Remember for the first 6 months you are consider probationary and can be fired at whim. So a school could very likely once seeing a dog say no dog or go. Also many a hagwon bosses have been known to flip flop.

And I disagree with recruiters not having a problem in my discussions with some of them. I know two recruiters that have expressed problems with people with pets and other baggage.

more later maybe

[Ginormousaurus]

[teaster]

I knew having a dog would make finding a job a little more difficult even before I decided to pursue going to Korea. If i don't find a position within the next few months that will work I will continue looking. Getting rid of him isn't an option for me so, I know that I'll probably have to lessen my standards on some things to make this possible.

With that being said, since I posted this I was offered a job in Daegu that does not have excessive hours and seems like a pretty good position. Supposedly it is okay with my employer that I have my dog. I KNOW I should get this is writing and I don't think my contract is an appropriate place for it to be stated (or is it?). So advice on that would be cool.

[archaeologist5]