Korean Job Discussion Forums

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

my search for a teaching job in korea isn't going too well at the moment. i sent off my resume and photo to four recruiting agencies based in Seoul and Busan, but the very few offers i've received so far pay no more than 1.8/1.9million Won per month. now this would seem like a good offer if i were a recent university graduate with no experience, but i have four years of teaching experience (not in korea) and a bachelors degree. i would therefore be hoping to land a job that pays between 2.0-2.3million Won per month.
is this the best offer i can expect to get? can anyone enlighten me as to why i haven't been offered anything better? i thought that my teaching experience would count for something, but so far it hasn't.
maybe i should avoid recruiters that only have low-paid jobs, but most of them seem to have them, so that's not so easy, or maybe it's because the teaching market in korea is going through a difficult phase.
if anyone can give me some tips or advice or perhaps recommend a good recruiter that would be cool. feel free to PM me if you'd rather not discuss this in public.
Crying or Very sad

margaret · Joined: 14 Oct 2003

I signed a contract with a school through Koreana Teacher's Club. So far so good. They found me the job right away, it was the job I wanted, pays 2 million/month, and they get back with me right away with questions. I haven't started to work yet. You might give them a try.
The only things I can think of that might be going against you are: if you are not white, have a photo they think is ugly, come from a country they don't find desirable, are looking for a job only in Seoul, or are too old for them. These are the things other people have mentioned as preventing them from getting jobs.
Margaret

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

be patient and be firm
I have heard that recruiters get bigger signing bonuses for placing people in lower paying jobs so those are the ones they throw at you first.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

Usually helps to know the recruiter as well.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

You've probably heard that it helps a lot if you are here to search for jobs.

Have you tried the public/private school jobs? I saw one on www.worknplay.co.kr that offered 2 months of vacation plus holidays, etc., for at least 2.0, if memory serves.

The schools are having to give a little more now, because they're ultra-desperate. You're probably being ruled-out because your not here to interview.

Have you tried making a video tape of yourself and putting it online? If you have a video camera and a way to edit it, I can help you out and possibly host a small intro one for you. Then you can just give 'em the link and go from there.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I don't mean to make a general sweep of all jobs here in Korea but in most cases.............

The amount of experience you have means jack.

You could have 0 years or 20 years and they will still offer you the same amount of money(and some even prefer people with no experience so they can be more easily bossed around).

It is more about connections in Korea than how much experience you have.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:16 pm Post subject:

ajstew · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Location: Korea

My advice for you is to start applying to the schools directly. Stop waiting for the recruiters to hand you a great one, because they're probably just sending out the same list to you, that they send to everyone else. That's because your teaching experience... unless it's in a real school in North America and you have a B.Ed, it means very little. I think institutes will appreciate it, if you take the time to send your stuff to them directly... it shows you put a little effort into it.

Unreal · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Location: Jeollabuk-do

In my experience they always offer you the crap jobs first. Turn down a few and be patient. You will eventually get a better offer.

Holyjoe · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

thanks for the info,
apart from dave's and worknplay, where else can i find jobs on the internet that aren't through recruiters?

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Just Because is right. You can have experience at home teaching, or be a frest univ. graduate, you are usually treated the same. Some times you are treated better if you NEVER taught because then you can be a good puppet.

A good way to get more money is to get a job where you are needed NOW. (or yesterday).. Then you might get more cause you are needed urgently, and lots of schools will take anyone almost at that point.

Just make sure your passport is current and you can come immediately if something is offered.

Also, do not take a verbal offer, you need a contract. but then again, at times you can't believe a contract anyway.

Good luck.