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kingstonian
Joined: 10 Sep 2011
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 Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:11 am Post subject: Finding a job in Seoul on a tourist Visa |
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Hello, does anyone know if it's still possible to come to korea on a tourist visa, find a job and then do a visa run to Japan?
I'm thinking of staying in a goshiwon for a month while this all goes through.
Also are schools happy to employ people of tourist visas and pay for the visa run?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Joe |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, it is possible. It has been done many times. Schools are willing and often happy to employ such people. They of course are also willing to pay for the visa run BUT they are often not willing to pay for flight ticket. It is often flight ticket (here) or visa run.
Through to add some points you will likely be down the list of people with a D-10. Also, that some schools have been known to "wait" for a while before sending on visa trip and have person work illegally. Use your discretion. Couple of days to a week or two will likely be low odds of trouble. When it starts getting to weeks and months before "visa trip" then you are playing with fire. |
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Voyeur
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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| My two cents: I think the real change for prospective teachers is that schools don't have to hire the 'less desirables' any more (or what they perceive as being so). So before you get on the plane, you really need to look at yourself in the mirror through the eyes of a Korean. If you are the kind of teacher schools want, you'll get a job quickly (though of course salaries are generally depressed). If you aren't that kind of person, you may never get a job. |
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Skippy
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| Voyeur wrote: |
| My two cents: I think the real change for prospective teachers is that schools don't have to hire the 'less desirables' any more (or what they perceive as being so). So before you get on the plane, you really need to look at yourself in the mirror through the eyes of a Korean. If you are the kind of teacher schools want, you'll get a job quickly (though of course salaries are generally depressed). If you aren't that kind of person, you may never get a job. |
Thats good advice. I can sum it up with two phrases.
What is wrong with you? Really you have to be mean and critical here. Are you too old by Korean standards? Are you of less desirable race to Koreans? Are you ugly, skinny, fat, etc. The more"things wrong with you, the harder finding that job might be.
This is balanced with....
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| What is good about you? |
You have experience in Korea. You have experience in teaching. You are are ALL READY with paperwork like CRC and degree. You are able to start now or soon. You are willing to forgo plane ticket but need visa trip but are still cheap hire. They can avoid using a recruiter and saving on the fee.
Now having something "bad" is not the end of the world. You just need to balance it with a positive.
Yes, you maybe an older man but you can start and be ready in less then a week or two, plus in the mean time can work under the table before you start.
Yes you may be considered fat by most Koreans but you have all your paperwork ready and they are hiring you without the need of a recruiter. You fatness is balanced with them saving a million won on fee.
Good Luck in the job search. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:34 am Post subject: |
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To the above advice I would add the following.
-Contact recruiters for a month before you go. Contact as many as you can possibly find who have an office in Seoul (or along the subway line) OR in Busan (choose one). Tell them about your plan and try to set up as many interviews with recruiters for the first week or two.
-Make sure that you have ALL of your documents. In fact, make sure that you have two complete spare sets. You never know when you might need another set. Leave one of the spares with a friend or family member who can mail it to you if you need it.
-Prepare a stack of resumes and cover letters that you can hand out during the first week. That way you don't have to waste time looking around for a print shop.
--Keep a copy of all your documents with you on a USB stick and online (e.g. in an email to yourself).
--Note: Korea uses A4 sized paper so make sure that your resume and cover letter are formatted for A4 sized paper.
-Make some attractive business cards. They should have a nice happy photo of you, along with a very brief description of your experience and qualifications (you can mention that on the back side). e.g. number of years as a teacher, certificates, nationality, you have a BA degree (name your major if it's something like education, language, business, or something else that might be attractive). You probably won't be able to get a phone before arriving but if you do, put your number on the card. People are much more likely to hold onto a card than a full sheet of paper. Having a card template already made and saved in PDF format will save you some time if you need new cards. (Again, remember to make it for A4 paper.)
-Assuming that you don't have a phone already and can't get one in advance, go to Itaewon as soon as you arrive (make it a priority) and pick up a second hand prepaid phone with 15,000 Won credit on it. It will take you under 15 minutes and it should be sufficient for the first month until you find a job. It's only function is really just so that people can call you.
-If you're looking for places to stay, consider somewhere really central and within a 10 minute walk of a subway station. Remember that you're going to have to travel all around the city so the more central you are, the less time you'll spend. Ideally you'd choose a place near a station that connects two lines. |
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Roman Holiday
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: |
| Voyeur wrote: |
| My two cents: I think the real change for prospective teachers is that schools don't have to hire the 'less desirables' any more (or what they perceive as being so). So before you get on the plane, you really need to look at yourself in the mirror through the eyes of a Korean. If you are the kind of teacher schools want, you'll get a job quickly (though of course salaries are generally depressed). If you aren't that kind of person, you may never get a job. |
Thats good advice. I can sum it up with two phrases.
What is wrong with you? Really you have to be mean and critical here. Are you too old by Korean standards? Are you of less desirable race to Koreans? Are you ugly, skinny, fat, etc. The more"things wrong with you, the harder finding that job might be.
This is balanced with....
| Quote: |
| What is good about you? |
You have experience in Korea. You have experience in teaching. You are are ALL READY with paperwork like CRC and degree. You are able to start now or soon. You are willing to forgo plane ticket but need visa trip but are still cheap hire. They can avoid using a recruiter and saving on the fee.
Now having something "bad" is not the end of the world. You just need to balance it with a positive.
Yes, you maybe an older man but you can start and be ready in less then a week or two, plus in the mean time can work under the table before you start.
Yes you may be considered fat by most Koreans but you have all your paperwork ready and they are hiring you without the need of a recruiter. You fatness is balanced with them saving a million won on fee.
Good Luck in the job search. |
Good stuff skippy. That's encouraging. Though in my 40's I look younger, not fat, and uni experienced. I think those factors may be just enough to balance out the age.... and strange kiwi accent. That said I will definitely be flying 'wangbok'. |
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Roman Holiday
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Troglodyte wrote: |
To the above advice I would add the following.
-Contact recruiters for a month before you go. Contact as many as you can possibly find who have an office in Seoul (or along the subway line) OR in Busan (choose one). Tell them about your plan and try to set up as many interviews with recruiters for the first week or two.
-Make sure that you have ALL of your documents. In fact, make sure that you have two complete spare sets. You never know when you might need another set. Leave one of the spares with a friend or family member who can mail it to you if you need it.
-Prepare a stack of resumes and cover letters that you can hand out during the first week. That way you don't have to waste time looking around for a print shop.
--Keep a copy of all your documents with you on a USB stick and online (e.g. in an email to yourself).
--Note: Korea uses A4 sized paper so make sure that your resume and cover letter are formatted for A4 sized paper.
-Make some attractive business cards. They should have a nice happy photo of you, along with a very brief description of your experience and qualifications (you can mention that on the back side). e.g. number of years as a teacher, certificates, nationality, you have a BA degree (name your major if it's something like education, language, business, or something else that might be attractive). You probably won't be able to get a phone before arriving but if you do, put your number on the card. People are much more likely to hold onto a card than a full sheet of paper. Having a card template already made and saved in PDF format will save you some time if you need new cards. (Again, remember to make it for A4 paper.)
-Assuming that you don't have a phone already and can't get one in advance, go to Itaewon as soon as you arrive (make it a priority) and pick up a second hand prepaid phone with 15,000 Won credit on it. It will take you under 15 minutes and it should be sufficient for the first month until you find a job. It's only function is really just so that people can call you.
-If you're looking for places to stay, consider somewhere really central and within a 10 minute walk of a subway station. Remember that you're going to have to travel all around the city so the more central you are, the less time you'll spend. Ideally you'd choose a place near a station that connects two lines. |
Great advice Troglodyte. Looks like you have to work very hard, and pull out all the stops, to find work. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:12 am Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
| Troglodyte wrote: |
To the above advice I would add the following.
-Contact recruiters for a month before you go. Contact as many as you can possibly find who have an office in Seoul (or along the subway line) OR in Busan (choose one). Tell them about your plan and try to set up as many interviews with recruiters for the first week or two.
-Make sure that you have ALL of your documents. In fact, make sure that you have two complete spare sets. You never know when you might need another set. Leave one of the spares with a friend or family member who can mail it to you if you need it.
-Prepare a stack of resumes and cover letters that you can hand out during the first week. That way you don't have to waste time looking around for a print shop.
--Keep a copy of all your documents with you on a USB stick and online (e.g. in an email to yourself).
--Note: Korea uses A4 sized paper so make sure that your resume and cover letter are formatted for A4 sized paper.
-Make some attractive business cards. They should have a nice happy photo of you, along with a very brief description of your experience and qualifications (you can mention that on the back side). e.g. number of years as a teacher, certificates, nationality, you have a BA degree (name your major if it's something like education, language, business, or something else that might be attractive). You probably won't be able to get a phone before arriving but if you do, put your number on the card. People are much more likely to hold onto a card than a full sheet of paper. Having a card template already made and saved in PDF format will save you some time if you need new cards. (Again, remember to make it for A4 paper.)
-Assuming that you don't have a phone already and can't get one in advance, go to Itaewon as soon as you arrive (make it a priority) and pick up a second hand prepaid phone with 15,000 Won credit on it. It will take you under 15 minutes and it should be sufficient for the first month until you find a job. It's only function is really just so that people can call you.
-If you're looking for places to stay, consider somewhere really central and within a 10 minute walk of a subway station. Remember that you're going to have to travel all around the city so the more central you are, the less time you'll spend. Ideally you'd choose a place near a station that connects two lines. |
Great advice Troglodyte. Looks like you have to work very hard, and pull out all the stops, to find work. |
These are just things that will help you find a good job faster. If you're in no hurry then they become less important. |
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watergirl
Joined: 01 Jul 2008
Location: Ansan, south korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think there's a need to go visit the recruiters personally.. Just a computer with internet and Skype or even just a phone.
Visiting them personally would just kill you, since you will need to be going in-person to the interviews at the job anyways.
Really a good idea to email many recruiters and tell them to keep you in mind. After a few emails of the recruiters sending you unwanted, completely mismatched jobs, I do find they eventually start sending better, well matched jobs.
Wouldn't hurt to mention your availability to do temporary pt work during this month as well. |
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