Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mortilap1]

Hi all,

I'm considering teaching English in Korea in August/September. I'm pretty confident I can get into EPIK, but I don't like the fact that my placement would be totally random and that I would have to sign a contract over the summer (I want to have flexibility for when I want to leave the USA). Not to mention the potential of a crazy co-teacher.

Am I best off flying to Korea on a tourist visa and then applying for jobs in person in the city I want to work in? I feel like this would put me at a higher chance of working at a good/reliable hagwon since I can see the school in person and get advice from people in the area or people working at the school (rather than trusting something I see on a computer screen halfway across the world).

I know I would have to cover the flight cost, but that's an expense I'd be willing to take if it means getting to choose what city I work in and finding a good school. When would be the best time for me to go over there? Mid-late August?

Any advice?

Thanks

EDIT: Would I still be able to get an E-2 visa while in Korea? Or do I have to be in my home country to get the visa?

[modernseoul]

No only would you have the cost of a flight you'd also have to cover your accommodation for at least a month (maybe more).

Most schools hire people in July/Aug or Dec/Jan for Sept or Feb starts. Of course Hagwons do hire all year round but still there are more openings in those time frames.

Honestly if you can get into EPIK, do it. Unless your heart is set on a specific location or you really want to teach Kindergarten or until 10pm.

Which area were you aiming for? Maybe someone can advise further.

[Troglodyte]

If you come here with all of your documents ready, then your chances of getting a better job increase significantly. Not only can you go to check out the school and owner before signing, but the bosses prefer to hire people that they can meet in person. It's also a sign that you're less likely to change your mind about coming to Korea. Simply being here to apply in person automatically moves your resume up to the top part of the stack.

You will likely have to cover your flight over but since you won't be asking for a flight here, you can negotiate a bit more. Ask for an extra 100k won per month (or 200k/month if you won't be heading home straight after this job). Or try for a 6 month contract. In any case, the employer will pay for your visa run to Japan.

Which brings up your other question. You can't get an E2 visa in Korea, but you can get it in any other country with a Korean Embassy or Consulate. Most people go to Japan because it's the closest. You don't have to return to your home country for the visa.

The procedure is something like this:
- You job hunt and check out places. Might take anywhere from 1 week (if you're in a hurry), 2 weeks if you want to get a few offers before choosing, or up to 4 weeks if you're a bit more picky.
- After you find a job you like, you give the boss your papers.
- He'll apply for a visa issuance number (VIN). That will take 1 or 2 weeks. Make sure that he applies for the visa right away. Don't let him put it off more than a day or two.
- He'll get the VIN and pass it along to you.
- You go to Japan (most people go to Osaka or Fukuoka because they are a little faster than Tokyo). This is usually a 2 day visa (one night at a hotel). Unless you negotiated something nice, you'll boss will cover the trip (flights and hotel, maybe per diem if you're really lucky)
- You come back to Korea and start working.

It's not unheard of for the employer to let you move into the accommodations as soon as your accepted the job and handed in your documents.

[almosthome]

Troglodyte, are you certain a U.S. citizen's first E-2 can be issued outside the USA? I'm not an expert (don't claim to know the answer) but have read in other threads that you must apply for your first E-2 from within the U.S. or its territories. I'd hate to see someone fly over only to discover they must pay for an additional RT flight. Plus, if you enter as a tourist, aren't you required to have a return ticket? $$$$

[modernseoul]

[takethree]

almosthome - Yes you can. That's how I did it. Entered on tourist in Korea and then transferred to E-2 via Fukuoka. And I didn't even need a return ticket to get my tourist visa upon entering Korea (Sept 2013).

[almosthome]

That's really awesome!

[rainman3277]