Korean Job Discussion Forums

StephPoet · Joined: 14 Jul 2005

How many interviews/applications or how much time before you got your first job offer in Korea?

I'm still awaiting an offer in Korea. I've done four phone interviews; three were made through a recruiter.

I got one rejection, and am expecting a second due to the feedback given to the recruiter.

Stephanie

bignate · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Location: Hell's Ditch

I only sent a resume, and suddenly I was hired over a weekend....

But then again that was when the Korean economy was begining to recover after IMF, so it isn't really fair. Hagwons were sprouting up everywhere and there weren't enough teachers to teach the kids.

Don't worry, you will get an offer sooner or later, and it will be great..

Good times, good times.... Very Happy

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

so it takes 5 to 8 days..........................from application to offer

often, I will gently press them for feedback ASAP
(tell 'em you have an offer, so you need to decide)
, then you can more quickly cross them off the list

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

I went through a recruiter and it was about 5 days when I got my first offer, and I had 5 offers in the 2 weeks that followed. In fact every school that I asked my recruiter to send my resume to, were interested in hiring me...

I had no experience, no teaching certification (except TESOL), and no I dont look like barbie.... it made me relise that I could afford to be a little choosey. Or perhaps the area I wanted to work just wasnt a very popular place for other foreign teachers???

StephPoet · Joined: 14 Jul 2005

I guess I'm just disheartened. Virtually every job in China I interviewed for I was offered. I REALLY had my hopes up about two of these Korean jobs. One of the interviewers hasn't outright rejected me, but told my recruiter his interest dwindled because he thought I was nervous. So I expect a rejection.

Another school rejected me through the recruiter saying I wasn't suited for the position; this was after what I thought was a really good interview.

I've had two interviews today and neither went overly one way or the other.

I'm wondering, why would they call in the first place if I'm "not suited?"

Sigh. I really wanted the first two jobs I mentioned. And especially one of the ones today...we'll see. I can't really afford the wages or upfront plane costs of going to China.

astroboyfan · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

In 2002 my only qualifications were that I was an American and had a bachelor's degree (in paralegal studies from a business college) but I immediately got a bunch of offers and got hired after my first interview with a hogwan director. As noted by other posters the situation is different now. In 2004 - after I had further qualified myself with a TEFL certificate and two years experience - I tried in vain for several months to line up a job over the Internet without resorting to a recruiter. I gave up and started using some recruiters - resulting in a few bad interviews - but still no job offer. I finally found a recruiter (Niki of Easy English Consulting) who was smart enough to place me at a hogwan where no interview was required - none of the managers could speak English so they had authorized her to hire whomever she thought was suitable.) This year I also got my public high school gig through her. and she and her boss helped my get though the required interview. So keep trying and find a really competent recruiter.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

Don't worry about it...and don't jump at the first job offered to you without thinking (unless it seems like a dream job.....which it won't be)

Recruiters need you...you don't need them. Where are you located? If you're in Canada then go with someone reputable like Canada Connections or FootPaths. Talk with several recruiters all at the same time and let them know you're talking with several recruiters...they'll work harder for you. What kinds of jobs are you looking for? Hagwons? If it's hagwons then there are a huge amount of jobs...they need you, you don't need them.

bignate · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Location: Hell's Ditch

astroboyfan · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Bangkok

I didn't go through a recruiter. I didn't trust them and I still don't. I was offered four jobs within about a 2 week period. Not one of them interviewed me over the phone. The one I finally went for wanted to interview me, but when I called her, it was more like I was interviewing her.

Anyway, my first job offer was in Jeju, which I turned down (not enough pay). I applied, and the next day they offered me the job.

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

No, asfan, you didn't understand it and it was perfectly clear.

There was no need for that sarcasm.

astroboyfan · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Wackers Wins!!! Laughing

I kid you not... I have talked one teacher who got a teaching job offer on the plane into Incheon. One of the other passengers struck up a conversation with him as they were waiting to exit the plane.

StephPoet · Joined: 14 Jul 2005

Was that sarcasm I detected, or a critique of my intelligence?

I am aware this is the Korea forum. I was reporting I could go to China, but want to go to Korea and am discouraged.