Korean Job Discussion Forums

ericschwartz11 · Joined: 09 Jun 2006

I am planning to come to Korea and find a job once I'm there, probably in Seoul. I've seen on the list that many Hagwons hire for the beginning of the month, so getting there mid-month would work well to find a job. (is this right?)
But is there a certain time that public schools hire for (like beginning of september?). Is it even possible to get public school jobs at kind of last minute and from Korea like that? I'd like to come mid-september but if I think I can get a better job by coming mid-august, I'll do that. Or maybe it's better in general to be looking to start september, since some teachers will be starting at universities and so not at other schools?
also: do public schools always require a criminal records check? I'm not in my home country now so getting one would be pretty hard.
and do public schools hire directly or mostly through recruiters?
I'd appreciate any advice, thanks.

sonshine20 · Joined: 17 Nov 2005

Public school positions start September 1. Definitely be there in August to find one.

The recruiter Netkorea seems to have quite a few public school jobs. You could talk with them.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Also WorknPlay.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Public schools tend to hire for March and September. Not all require the criminal record check. The direct public school hires seem to be drying up a lot unless you have contacts.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

How does that criminal records check work if you have been living in Korea for the last year and a half?

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

At the same time, I was hired 3 weeks ago and one other teacher started today in the public school area I work in. Its elementary schools, they seem to be hiring alot now as the new government directive says there needs to be an english speaker teacher in every elementary school so you may get lucky!
Again, try work'n'play. they seem to have a good rep.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

ericschwartz11 · Joined: 09 Jun 2006

thanks for all the responses. So do you think it's possible to land a job if I get to Seoul around August 15th or 20th, or would that be too late? Or are these jobs easier to get from outside the country, with a recruiter, than from inside Korea?