Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lighthouse1971]

I'm looking to get a university job in Seoul or Gyeonggi-do for September. I'm wondering...how do people get those jobs most of the time? Are they posted, or is it connections? How about agencies? Please fill out the poll above if you've ever had an english-teaching job at a university in Seoul or nearby.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

I sent my resume out over a long period of time to many different universities, recruiters, anyone who I thought had connections.... I posted my resume on several websites and eventually a recruiter called... She told me she saw my resume on a website (not Dave's ESL.)... That's how I got my uni job...

[Homer]

Its all pretty simple really:

a) Wait for prime recruiting season for Korean Unis...i.e. aug-sept and jan-feb.

b) Apply

c) Wait to see what happens or if your a little outgoing take the first step and contact the universities yourself.

[jsmac]

I started applying directly to posts on Dave's board in December, probably 25 in all, and had 3 offers. One was from a recruiter, but she wanted 30% of my first cheque because universities don't pay recruiting fees.

[Boogie]

On my second uni here-got both through personal connections.

That's the way things seem to work here.

You usually have to have a year of experience as well... not necesarily with Koreans but it helps.

[kimcheeking]

When I decide to move on from my current university, I will use a number of strategies. cold-calling, answering ads, and personal connections

[Bob the Builder]

How to get a university job?

Find someone who teaches at a good university and buy him a lot of beer. If you're lucky, he'll contact you when there is an opening. This is not really a joke. I have one of the good jobs. Whenever there is an opening the supervisor asks us to recommend someone. That's how most of the teachers got the job. The school rarely advertises, and teachers rarely leave.

[matesol]

How many universities are there in Korea compared to Canada? Per capita, there are a lot more universities in Korea than Canada. It is not because everone in Korea is more intelligent than in Canada. There are what some call "face saving uiversities" in Korea. They are basically universities for dumb rich kids who will lose face if they dont get a "university education". Now, all those universities must, have compulsary English classes if they want to retain their status as a recognized university. The dirtly little secret about the worst universities in Korea is that they hire English instructors, not because they want to, but because they have to. The Korean Ministry of Education says they have to. The most qualified teachers don't want to work for universities that don't treat them well. You can get your first uni job at a uni where you won't be treated very well. Do your job, don't complain, finish your contract and get a nice letter of reference. Then get a better uni job. Work you way up the "Uiversity ladder". You won't get a "sweet" university job right off the bat, unless you have a Master's degree. I have a Master's degree now, but I worked at four different universities before I had an MA. The first one I worked for was just terrible. The next one was a bit better but still pretty bad. The next was was OK. The next one was had good working conditions but bad housing. The one I am working at now has great pay and I got my own housing because I am sick of dealing with the housing issue. At the university I work at now, I make 2.9 million won for 18 hours. I worked during the winter session. During the winter session, they give you your base pay, but all hours during the holiday season are paid at overtime rates. This month, I made over six million won, in one month!

How do you get a uni job? Start at the bottom, keep a smile on your face, DON'T COMPLAIN. There is nothing that is less acceptable in face-saving Korea than constant complaining. Get your letter of reference and work your way up the ladder.

[Uberrex]

[The Lemon]

[weatherman]

Call the schools you are interested in, send in your resume, work the people you know for ideas and help. Keep a list schools advertising. Be flexible, know what they want, and this is Korea so look the part, sad to say. After all that, it seems to be more about personality and if you can fit in and won't have many problems with Korea, the Korean staff and that you wont care getting your arse nibbled a bit for the sake of your dignity.

[Tiger Beer]

[mishlert]

I marked Other because I posted my resume on Dave's and they found me.