Korean Job Discussion Forums

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Is there really a shortage of teachers in Korea? I don't think so. Usually, when I tell a school I am in the states, they stop speaking to me. I think one day, schools will no longer pay airfare. Everyone will just have to fly themselves over and look for a job. Furthermore, I think many of these "schools" are just too picky. I applied for a job in May. They emailed me syaing they would get back to poeple by May 12th. Come May 12th, I heard NOTHING. But, they did have a new ad on here dated May 11th looking for teachers. Lo and behold, they even had another ad on here today.

Also, a school that decided not to hire me AFTER I had already signed a contract in February, has been on Dave's hiring teachers since then. Today they also had an ad on here. These schools need to get real.

azzwell · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:57 am Post subject: teacher shortage

That has been the direct reversal of my current job search. Compared to the last time I worked in Korea, 2003-2004, I have had more offers, better money, more emails, and more phone calls after posting my resume, and I am in the States. In fact I have had five phone calls from schools in the past two days.
From everything I have read and observed, the teacher shortage is real. With the U.S. and Canadian economies doing so well, even the Canadian dollar is posting record highs, and the job market, at least in the U.S. for recent grads red hot, you will see less and less people making the move to the R.O.K.
Schools in my state are currently offering signing bonuses and relocation bonuses to new teachers.
ara

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:29 am Post subject:

I agree with ara. Not two weeks ago I posted my resume and contacted a recruiter, and it has been non-stop phone calls/interviews. As it has been said before on here, finding a job is not what seems to be the problem, but rather sifting through all of the job offers until one strikes your fancy. I even feel bad when I turn down a job.

Of course all of the red tape is driving me mad!!

Tarheel13 · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina

Princess: I, too, have had many offers from recruiters and a couple of school directors since I expressed interests. To date, I've been offered a starting salary of 2.4 million, but will continue to negotiate for more and before the end of this month. Perhaps your academic record and work experiences are lacking from an employer perspective. I did see a recent post where Flotsam, a rather crude and liberal poster on this forum, was making fun of you, personally, for some vague reason. I couldn't understand if he found you ugly or stupid, but I'm sure it was one of the two. Cheers.

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:51 am Post subject:

Tarheel? Now that is the funniest and most un-PC name that I have seen on here to date. No offense, so please don't take it as such. I simply could not resist.

Zark · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:52 am Post subject:

OP:

Don't expect Korea - or any of Asia - to be organized and efficient. Some places are - many aren't.

It's only that you fell into a crack in the system - apply again!

JAWINSEOUL · Joined: 19 Nov 2005

SOOHWA101 · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject:

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

I don't know that too many recruiters look at one's academic record that closely. I don't want to be rude but the reason you can't get a job is probably because of your looks. Some Koreans are very superficial.

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

Maybe one of your past employers is saying bad stuff about you? Have you tried calling them to see if they've received any calls, and what they might have said?

Aussiekimchi · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Location: SYDNEY

If you are a Nth American white female with experience in Korea and you can't get a job here, either you were a terrible teacher or you are really really picky.
If you are just picky it is a good way to be. Hold out for the right job.
As for your OP, what was all that about?
You didn't get the job, who cares? There are plenty of others.
There IS a teacher shortage and there will always be a teacher shortage because the amount of jobs will always outnumber the bodies to fill them.

Tarheel13 · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina

She's not picky; Flottie says she's ugly as a pet pig.

Aussiekimchi · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Location: SYDNEY

ah beauty is in the eye of the beholder....I am sure you did not mean any offense by that horrible comment....
but you know all korean bosses do have particular tastes and looks are very very important...I hear everyday...
"ah. She looks like a smart teacher!"
"He looks like a kind teacher!"
Most Koreans hold the photo in higher stead than the resume.
Korea is what it is.