Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jellybean4]

I've been doing a lot of reading and everyone suggest going to Korea in person to look for a job. I'm thinking about this too, but I'm an Asian American, specifically and adpoted Korean. I know looks are a huge factor for hagwons so will it be harder for me to find a job once I'm in Korea? Do you think that I should just keep plugging away online? HEEEELP!

[cubanlord]

Hello Jelly and it's a pleasure to meet you. Regarding your situation:

I can only fathom what it's like to find a job teaching English as a Korean-American. Korean-Americans (or Korean-(insert other nationality)) are generally discriminated against here based on their appearance. It's extremely difficult for the typical English school here in Korea to look past the outer features of an individual and see one's true pontential. Consequently, many good teachers aren't given the opportunity they deserve simply due to their "looks".

There are pro's and con's to both:

Pro's on coming here in person:
-YOU can evaluate the school and decide if it is for you
-You can search for the area you want rather than being stuck in something you don't want
-Seoul will most likely have something for you (this is your best bet).

Con's on coming here in person:
-It's on your dime
-It'll be costly if you have to live for more than one month on your own
-You don't know the language (or do you?), so it'll be tough to get around
-It's not guaranteed you'll find something right away; are you willing to go through that?

I am sure there are many other things to consider. These are the first things that pop into my mind. More seasoned vet's should be here shortly to assist you. Best of luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.

Me.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Listen to what Cubanlord said.

If you have the money to come over on your own, I think you can make headway in finding a job in person better than by internet.

If you do speak Korean, you will have an advantage in finding work. Bilingual people are in big demand here.

Look around at the kyopo/gyopo threads here at Daves and see if you can get connected into that circle. They can give far better advice (and may well have phone numbers and e-mail addresses of prospective employers) than us Wonder Bread boys.

[flotsam]

Actually, as a Korean-American you may be in more demand than you expect. If you can teach test-prep courses(SAT, SAT 2, AP, etc.) and went to a good university you have the potential to make much more money than the average whitey at the conversation hagweons. This will be further enhanced by you having any Korean language ability, which you may not as you say you are an adoptee. If you do have the ability to teach the subjects I mentioned, stay away from the ECCs and Kid's Colleges of the world and come to Korea to look for a job at places like Princeton Review(but not so much), Andyprep, Steven's Academy and their ilk in the Gangnam area--much money, teaching elite students, is to be had.

Good luck.

[jellobean]

As an adopted Korean, you may be eligible for an F-4 Visa (I don't know all the rules, perhaps someone else could help you out.) If you are eligible for an F-4, getting one before coming opens up a lot more opportunities for you, or at least eliminates the expense of visa runs. Also, depending an the type of job you get, you may be able to get your flight reimbursed if the school doesn't have to pay for a visa run.

[Tiger Beer]

[Asthenia]

[ariellowen]

al

[ScottyG]

I'm not sure what to think about this "you look asian so you aren't going to find a job" thing. I've met more than a few Korean Americans making a lot more money than most. And some schools specifically prefer them. I guess the Korean Americans who are doing the best are the ones who can speak some Korean however, and they are making a killing in the "ipshi hakwons" otherwise known as all subject hakwons. In any case, anyone and everyone who comes in person to find work is much better off. And while it's easy to dismiss all hakwons as being obsessed with color and looks, I think a teaching demonstration and a good personality will probably beat out a blonde bombshell with a poor attitude and lack of skill on most days.