Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jphill9990]

So i left Korea in 2014 without a letter of recommendation as my co-teacher said she would write it for me later. The hagwon has new ownership. She is stil there but isn't returning my emails...which i guess could be going to spam? Anyway, if by some chance I can't get a reference letter how bad will that hurt me? I had no trouble at the school, so I don't see any negative reason thatshe wouldn't write this letter for me.

[northway]

Are you applying for another job in Korea? Hagwon to hagwon folks are more inclined to just make a call. Talk to a bloodsucking recruiter and see what they have to say.

[wonkavite62]

I asked for (and got) a letter from my co-teacher when I was in Korea. He was the head of the English department. I made absolutely sure I would get a written reference, because I knew how highly some Asian employers prize the paper reference, on headed paper, with a red ink stamp or a signature. Somehow they expect things of us that they won't always give themselves.
I have just applied to Canadian Connection. They are a recruiter based in Vancouver. If you've taught in Korea before they would like you to give the contact details, including a telephone number, of a Korean reference. They do not require a letter at this stage. This may be of use to you. If you have the contact details of several co-teachers you choose the one who seemed most favorable. You may need reference letters later. Not necessarily from Korea, though. I am not suggesting you leave out experience though.
Canadian Connection has public school jobs as well as private ones. They got me a job in 2013.