Korean Job Discussion Forums

pskull · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH

I am graduating from university in December, and due to the holidays, I've given my availability to recruiters (People Recruit) as the second week of January. I know that it is said that there are jobs available year-round, but how accurate is that really?

Is it possible to start a job in SK in January, as a fresh college grad?

caligirl · Joined: 25 Mar 2006

I don't know about your university, but I know that many students don't get their actual printed diploma until months after graduation (mine was 4 months from University of California!). You'll need your diploma in order to get your visa, which you'll need to apply for at least a month before you fly out. January sounds too soon. You'd need your diploma before you even graduate in December!

Does anyone have a suggestion other than waiting a few months into the new year?

DHX · Joined: 11 Jun 2006

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

The best job offers will be flowing in January and February, as March is absolutely the best time to start. March is when the new school year begins in Korean universities, and public schools start too. And so hagwons get needy and offer more money because of supply and demand (at least that was the trend the last couple of years, especially this spring since public schools want one foreigner in each school, spiking the demand). So look to start in March or April. And expect employers to make decisions and do things last minute, rushed, even if planning for it happened or not (a cultural trait).

Do two things: 1) take whatever steps you need to to ensure you get your degree and a few sets of signed-on-the-flap final transcripts in your hand ASAP in the new year; and 2) don't be too eager to sign a contract early, as waiting until two to four weeks before you would start is par for this course, and you need lots of time to research the position, and there's no way a newbie needs to accept any less than 2.2 mill per month in March, and can get 2.4-2.5 at that time of year if the last two springs have been any indication.

Good luck whatever.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

I'll second VanIslander.

If you start looking at the job boards from now to January, you can build up a list of attractive looking schools and apply closer to the time you're wanting to start. January is light years away in terms of hiring for ESL jobs.

Captain Courageous · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Location: Bundang and loving it

I'll be doing the same thing (going in January), only I have an MA, and have had it for a year, so no waiting for documents. I'm just cutting my PhD study short for now.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:54 pm Post subject:

Captain Courageous · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Location: Bundang and loving it

So you're basically saying I can pull 2.2-2.3 in January, more if I hold out and do some searching for higher positions?

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:47 pm Post subject:

Captain Courageous · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Location: Bundang and loving it

By "higher" I met "better."

Although I may have meant to write "higher-paying positions."

Crud, I dunno.

pskull · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH

Thanks for all the responses.

I know it takes a while to get an original diploma, but some of the Japanese programs I applied with said that they would be able to accept an official letter of graduation, as long as it was on official letterhead and signed by a dean or the registrar's office. Would a letter of graduation suffice in Korea, at least for applications?

caligirl · Joined: 25 Mar 2006

I lost my original diploma, so I've been waiting for weeks to get another copy. I spoke with numerous schools and programs in Korea, and they all said a notarized letter on university letterhead WOULD NOT WORK. Sounds very silly to me. I saw a couple of posts saying that it might work, but in my experience, I was told I had to have the diploma in addition to my transcipts. It delayed my start date by a month, but things have gone off without a hitch since I obtained the diploma. Korean Immigration seems to be extremely picky on this point.

My advice? Wait for the diploma, or go to Japan. Good Luck!

caligirl · Joined: 25 Mar 2006

Also, a clarification: You don't need your diploma to apply for a job. Some schools ask you to scan a copy of your diploma when you apply, but this is not absolutely necessary. The diploma is required when you start your visa application, which you need to do at least a month in advance. Some schools who are desperate for a teacher might tell you to come right away on a tourist visa and do a E-2 run later, but it is technically illegal to do that.