Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but here's to repitition!


My current contract ends in March next year. I'd like to line up another teaching job before that time, so that I can meet the staff, see the school, see the apartment, etc. I'd like to live in Seoul, somewhere central, though I'm not particular on the exact province.

So what are my best options? Is posting a resume / scanning job postings on the Internet the best route? Is it possible or fruitful to do a door-to-door type thing? Should I ask my current director to call some contacts in Seoul and help me out?

Cheers,
Qinella

[Qinella]

Damn, 48 views and no replies?

No one has a good suggestion?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

When I was looking I just tried to cover all bases, and ended up deleting about 10-20 emails a day from people offering jobs at kiddie hogwans. In the end I took a job with a school district. Most of my contacts were through Dave's job board. If you're in Korea you have a huge advantage. Are you looking for hogwan, public school, adult academy, or uni?

[some waygug-in]

It depends.........

I think the best way is networking. If you know people who are relatively happy with their jobs then you can find out if their employer is hiring etc.

If you are just going to look on the internet....... good luck to you, but it's a crap shoot. You may find a good job, but the odds are against it. (at least that has been my experience) You just never know what to expect with these job ads. I tend to see all or most of them as somewhat misleading in some way or other.

Talk to people who work at various universities, schools etc. Find out first of all whether or not they are happy with their job and if so, then find out if their employer is hiring. If not, don't dispair. Ask how that person first was introduced to their employer. They may also know some similar types of jobs opening up.

[VanIslander]

Too bad you didn't want to live near Busan. My apartment here on Geoje Island is two blocks away from the 45-min. ferry to the Nampodong area of that city.

And, after over three years, I'll be finally leaving my great position at this wonderful small hagwon next April.

[Qinella]

[plato's republic]

Qinella,

I'm in the same boat as you..my current contract expires at the end of March next year and I'll be looking for a position based in Seoul that starts at the beginning or end of April. I guess I'll just keep checking the job boards and maybe post my resume up too, for maximum effect. I think I'll start scouring the boards in December or at the beginning of January.
Anyway, would be interested to hear what other people think and how they ended up finding their jobs.

[UncleAlex]

The best way and only way to find a job is to start looking.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[some waygug-in]

I mean talk to people anywhere and everywhere. On Dave's..OK, but I mean there must be some foreigners working at a university or even other hagwans near you that you could talk to?

I found a good place for meeting other foreigners is my Korean class, usually a good mix of people there. Hagwan teachers, university teachers, school teachers and even a few people with other lines of work.


I don't know your situation though, if you are in a small town it might not be so easy.

Some people would say the bar is a good place.... to each his/her own.

[Qinella]

[VanIslander]

[jinks]

The OP lives in Daejon, not Seoul.
The point about turning up drunk and not showering was not to reflect on the OP's lifestyle, but a witty way of complimenting you. The OP was making the point that your work ethic may be a hard act to follow, and an ideal situation was one where s/he would have to replace a useless drunken bum; hence, maximum respect for minimum effort.

[VanIslander]