Korean Job Discussion Forums

[strong]

First post here. Hope it's legit. I realize that similar posts can be found, but after several hours of searching, I have specific questions that I still have not found the answers to.

My plan is to do some traveling in Europe in September/October and then on to Korea to search for a teaching job, but most of the jobs seem to start earlier than this.

I am also wondering how feasible it is to just go looking for a job in Korea. I would prefer to see where I will be working/living and most importantly, meet my boss before signing a year of my life away.

How do most people score GOOD teaching jobs in Korea. (GOOD meaning best living/working conditions, hours, reliable coworkers, etc.)

I thank each and every one of you for sharing your time and thoughts.

[jinju]

Good teaching positions are scored by people with:

1. Top notch qualifications: masters, PH.Ds, CELTAS on top of things, etc.
2. People with experience. Putting in your dues, getting good references and a good reputation will lead to scoring a good job. Fresh off the boat newbies usually dont score these jobs unless they have top notch qualifications.

You can come and look for a job. Jobs open up all year round. They just dont advertise more than a month ahead of time. It shouldnt be difficult to find work. Whether it is good work or not will depend on your research before signing on. Again, unless you are a Ph.D. from harvard, dont expect much more than the standard 2.0 or 2.1, small studio apartment and a hagwon position.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It would probably be best if you got yourself set up in a long-term stay at a yeogwan (cheap hotel) in the Seoul area and started looking around. There are probably some recruiters on the Jobs board who could get you some interviews. If you're arriving with no notice and just starting your research you will likely have to take a hogwan (private language academy) job. Most of these jobs involve teaching elementary and middle school kids after school, and some have kindergarten and / or adult classes. Some, especially the franchise chains, are horrible, but if you can visit them and talk to other foreigners working there in confidence you should be all right.

[John Henry]

Isn't there a sticky about this somewhere?

Dude, just roll the dice with a recruiter. Directors will lie to you whether or not you are in the country or not.

[Aussiekimchi]

If you come with all of your documents, you could take a few days to get a few interviews and then choose a job.
You should be able to find something decent if you are indeed decent too.
A lot depends on your quals and more on your appearance/demeanour.
Contact anyone you know in the country and see if you can sneak into their school, if reputable and available (good option for schools, no recruiter fees, therefore more willing to give you a job).
If you have no one you will have to find a job yourself or use a recruiter.
Try 2 or 3 different ones.
Make sure you have everything ready to do a Japan visa run. Schools are more willing to give you a job if you are organised enough to have all your paper work in order.
You will also need an exiting ticket from Korea to get into the country on a tourist visa.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[poof]

I guarantee you that if you have a degree cert, (and maybe sealed transcripts at the ready, too), and are of reasonable appearance and manner, then you can secure a job the day you set foot on Korean soil. Allow a couple of weeks for visa processing, and thus budget at least a min of 1 months stay, and you'll be all set.

Just look at all the job ads saying 'start ASAP' - they are going all year round, not just right now. You may not be able to secure a great job at short notice, however. If I'm planning to move to a new country, I will have looked in advance at all the interesting positions that have been posted over a long period, and keep them for reference/speculative applications in case they have an opening to coincide with the time I arrive.

You may have to get an onward ticket - some airlines insist on it.

2ndly - staying in a 'yeogwan' (inn/sex hotel) is actually an expensive option. Find a 'goshiwon'(study dormitory) - ask the tourist desk at the airport to find you a room in one. They can be had for as little as W150,000 per month, compared with a yeogwan whose average price in Seoul is 700,000.

[strong]

thanks for all the great feedback. it is much appreciated.

[strong]

thanks for all the great feedback. it is much appreciated.

[Homer]

Yes you can.

[RachaelRoo]

Coming here to find a job is the best route. It's still not a guarantee that everything will work out well, but you can see the apartment in person, and more importantly, talk to the other foreign staff about the working conditions. Hagwons are always expanding or requiring new staff for whatever reason, so don't worry about the time of year (unless it's Chinese New Year)

I came here jobless back in August, and my boss reimbursed me for my flight and also paid for my accomodations while I waited for my visa to be processed, so the total amount that I spent coming here jobless was minimal.

Just MAKE SURE all your documents are in order and set up a few interviews for the first couple days after you arrive.

And remember, it's a teachers market right now. They need you more than you need them, so don't be afraid to ask any questions or negotiate.

PM me if you have any questions.

[Homer]

[RachaelRoo]

[poof]

I also don't think it's entirely necessary to come here in person, as long as though you have an open mind about what an employer/recruiter is telling you about a position on a phone. Always make sure you can speak to existing teachers in a school, if you are organizing something by phone with a hogwan or recruiter in particular.

Also, if you know already so far in advance that you are coming here, you can start applying for jobs now. There are some great ones going for fall if you are prepared to come a couple of months earlier. Giving up your Europe trip might be preferable if it means landing a decent job for a year to come rather than a horrible sweatshop type job for a year. You can do the Europe trip later.

[ella]

Is there any way to securely store your luggage in a goshiwon?