Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Keetani]

Hey all! So I just graduated from undergrad last month with a BS in Animal Science and a minor in Asian Studies. I also studied abroad to Korea in Fall 2014 and attended Ewha Womans University for that semester. Long before that, it was my dream to travel to Korea, and now it is my dream to return.
As my title stated, I have ALL of my documents ready (FBI background checks, copies of my degree, notary sigs, apostilles, etc) for at least two copies of things, and I have applied to four recruiters so far (People Recruit, Appletree, Adventure Teaching, and Chungdahm), of which I have had one call back from People Recruit (It was positive, but not super promising), and an email from a representative of AppleTree who said that she would try to find me offers. And I only applied to the last two at the end of last week, so I am still waiting to hear back from them.
However, I am growing very nervous, because it seems as though my promising plan of returning to Korea isn't as promising as I thought. If you applied to recruiters, how long did it take for you to hear back from them? Is it a good thing that they call? Does that mean that they see promise in your resume and information?
Should I apply to even more recruiters? If so, do you have any recommendations? Should I just go directly to some schools and try that?

Please help. Ever since I returned from Korea, I have been EXTREMELY passionate and dedicated about returning, but now I fear that I put all my eggs in one basket far too quickly, and that I will fail.

I have literally devoted my life to returning to this country (currently have no job, though I have been looking at promising positions in my area just in case) and want to return as soon as possible.

Also, I know that it's an aspect of the job culture that not many people feel comfortable with, but I am a Black American female, and yes, I'm very aware of how that might impact my job search. But just to give you an idea, I have a very strong resume (No classroom experience, however I educated children AND adults by working in a zoo for 7 years, was an RA for 2 years in college, and helped to hold English conversation with exchange students coming to my college from Asia).

I am just trying to achieve my dream of returning to the country where I felt truly that happiest. It felt amazing to live there in the short period of time that I did, and I really want to return on a more permanent basis. If anyone has any advice or words of encouragement, I don't even know, feel free to say it.
Every day that passes without a response or an offer is another day that I feel as though I've failed.
Please give me your thoughts on my situation, not matter what they are.

Thank you in advanced for your time!

[Hokie21]

I never bothered with recruiters. Post your resume online and apply to as many jobs as you can directly. Unfortunately your job experience will count for little to nothing at most of these places you're looking to get hired at. On the plus side, your a girl.....but....you don't have blonde hair and blue eyes....

[Keetani]

[Hokie21]

Yup. I posted my resume here on Dave's job board....this was a few years ago but I got numerous hits immediately. I picked one which sounded legit and within a few weeks I was working in Korea. While over in Korea I made some contacts and did some networking and once that contract was up I moved onto a new school.

IMO if you know what area you want to work in then check out various Facebook groups (for example, "Suwon Job Board") which have will have job postings in the area. Most schools will pay their teachers a small bonus if they can find a teacher to recommend....it's much cheaper for the school to do that than paying for the services of a recruiter.

You've got your documents which is a big plus and there's nothing wrong with working with a recruiter but in the meantime you can be applying for jobs yourself.

Good luck.

[SeoulNate]

Look on here and craigslist -

apply to every job that you like that is listed

you will have an offer within a few weeks

[Chaparrastique]

[Trevor]

I have noticed that a lot of business gets done in Korea at the last minute. If you have documents in hand, wait until desperation week. You'll get hired.

[Troglodyte]

I would suggest that you go through the job adverts on this and any other website that you find and send in a cover letter and resume along with a couple of photos to every school and recruiter that you find.

The cover letter should clearly state the following:
-You have all of your documents ready and apostilled (list them)
-You are of X nationality (assuming that you are one of the 7 eligible)
-You recently graduated from Y university in Z country (again, assuming that it is one of the 7 eligible)
-You are ready to go at any time
-You want to find a job starting ASAP
-You are open to going to any city (or that you want a specific city, if that's the case)

You should include one portrait type photo in which you are smiling and look at least semi-professional.
You should include at least one photo in which you appear to be teaching a group of kids, or otherwise working with kids. You and the kids should look happy in the photo.
Make sure that you look good in the photos. Photoshop them if necessary.


Further advice might depend on which country you are from (by birth and by current citizenship --> at least, what can be inferred from your passport) and which country your university is in.