Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ryanbonner]

Alright Korea experts I've been stalking this board for months as I've trolled for a job in Seoul. I finally post, mainly out of frustration with the job search. For all the talk about how easy it is to get a job teaching, how much truth is in that? Sure, you can get a job out in the country, or one with those wonderful split shifts, but really, how do I get a decent job in Seoul? I've been through every recruiter imaginable. I've had Koreans call me at 3am, rambling about jobs I've never heard of (and jacking up my phone bill). The closest I got to taking a job was with a contract in hand, the next the recruiter emails me and says the teacher has decided to extend a contract with a current teacher. A buddy of mine experienced a similar situation, except he got it even worse. Not only did he have a contract, he signed the thing, tossed it in the mail with his original diploma. A few days before he thought he was going to head over, the recruiter hits him with the school has decided to stick with a current teacher. So now his diploma is floating around Korea somewhere.
I guess what my question is would be, where do I go from here? I'd really like to come to Korea ASAP, but the job search has taken its toll. Do I lower my standards and accept a mediocre job or do I keep looking for something decent? From reading this board and looking at the reviewed contracts, the consensus seems to be that it's still a job-seekers market and a plum position is within almost anyone's reach. I had hoped that was all true, but so far, the only thing I've experienced is endless frustration and a few too many headaches. What to do?

[chronicpride]

Just curious, but are you able to pay your way over here first and get reimbursed after signing? Agreeing to a year-long gig over the phone is like playing russian roulette, regardless if the contract is spot on. An ironclad contract does not avert hell landing on your lap. It only helps ensure that 30hrs of your 168hrs in a week living in Korea have some legal recourse.

Meanwhile, you find that your apt is in the sticks and the only restaurants around you serve cow intestines and pig feet. Or you have a roach infestation problem in your apartment stemming from the unsanitary restaurant below you, which no amount of fumigation efforts can solve. And then the director can't readily move you out of there, because of a big loss on key money for the apartment.

Point being. People take too much false comfort in securing the right contract while hiring from abroad. Find a way over on your own dollar and see what you're getting into before you sign.

To answer your main concern more directly, because this is a fast market, recruiters and schools move much more quickly to someone whose email says 'In Korea now and looking for E2 job ASAP'. And your negotiating power is increased when all parties can see you in person looking all nice and sounding pleasant vs all the nondescript resumes and blurry webcam pics of the overseas candidates, piled on his desk.

[purple_buddha]

It's been said on this board before, and I'll say it again here. If you want to find a decent teaching position in Korea, you're better off doing it in person.

Koreans are huge on personal relationships and it will increase your chances of landing an acceptable job with a little face time and networking. Plus, you'll be able to more easily assess your potential work environment and housing, hopefully averting disaster.

Also, you're looking at a hiring lull right now. Summer vacation is essentially over and most of the better jobs have been filled. It'll start to pick back up in a couple of months and peak out around Dec/Jan.

You could take a chance on the typical 2 million won per month hagwon job. If the location, hours and job conditions aren't bad, it's a suitable way to look for something better and gain a solid years's experience in the meantime.

Be sure to check out these threads: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=64417
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=64451

If you get offered a contract, posting it here for review wouldn't be a bad idea.

[SeoulShakin]

Is that your real name? Cause if it is I've seen your picture at my work place, as it was sent there from a recruiter.

I don't mean to sound rude, I'm trying to be helpful, so please take it that way.
I know when my boss gets a resume, cover letter and photo, he prints them all out. His printer is black and white. When your picture was printed out, it did seem as though you had two black eyes, or else very dark circles underneath them. It kind of distorted your face a bit. On the computer it didn't look that way, but when it was printed out it did. That picture is what other people saw.
As bad as it sounds, Koreans are very into looks and presentation. It shouldn't be that way, but that's how it is.
I would suggest taking another photo, and trying again. Watch out for the shadows and maybe try printing it out to see how it looks.
Your resume was good - so don't worry about that
Unfortunately that's how it is. I almost wasn't hired because my photo had red-eye and it scared the kids. Bollocks I know, but try a new photo.
Wish you luck!

[Hotpants]

[just because]

To put it very simply most of the decent jobs here are taken by people who have lived here for a while, are mostly qualified and have networked effectively and have lots of contacts in Korea...

The odds that you will get a good job whole sitting overseas are very slim as the good jobs are rarely if ever advertised. Out of the 4 positions i have taught at here, only 1 has been advertised(my first one).

The problem is, the ones that are advertised usually are the bottom of the barrel while the good ones are usually snapped up before they are even needed to be advertised...

In short, if you are here, your chances are a lot greater..

I just flew back into korea on Sunday and got a really nice position in 4 days. Granted i have lived here 5 years previously and knew what to look for but if i had stayed in australia i would never have got the position I got

[ryanbonner]

I have considered coming over first and then finding a job and at this point, that's probably the next step since the over the phone BS has just about run its course. I can afford to get over there, but I think a lot of the trying to get a job from abroad is the comfort factor, the knowing youll get picked up at the airport, dropped off into a setup apt, all ready to go. From the contracts I've been offered, about half stated they would only pay for airfare for a visa run, not the flight over. There's also the question of housing while searching for job. I know housing in Seoul is by no means cheap, so is it possible to shack up in a hotel or something for a couple weeks while looking for a job without spending a month's salary. And once you get over there, do you still use sites like this to find jobs or do you go more internal, searching through newspapers and that sort? Basically it'd cost me a grand to get there and then are we talking another couple grand to live while interviewing for jobs? That'd be cutting it close on my bankroll. Despite the risks, i think I'd still prefer to secure a job before coming over, but that just might not be in the cards at this point.

[Sody]

Ryan,

It is in the cards, if you are patient and willing to wait until around December. There are many good jobs to be had for the next semester which starts in February. It's up to you if you are willing to wait so long.

If not then I would suggest you listen to all the advice in this thread, it's good. I will add that no matter how good the contract looks, it's like what another poster said, it is really a false sense of security at best. You can have the best contract and the worst principal or co-teachers.

Oh and also, do you have ESL experience? Cause if you don't and you come over here, you will still most likely end up with a job that you would of gotten over the phone.

Sody

[juliebaas]

I am a Newbie and had the same problems finding a decent position. I found that posting my resume on Hi teacher really helped, that is how I got my position - the director of the school called me directly because he had seen my resume, and it wasnt a posted position or through a recruiter. We will see how it works out as I head over!

[chronicpride]

[maryb]

but dont expect to be reimbursed for your flight over. I tried that last time and it was a big NO on reimbursment at every school I interviewed at. However, they did pay for the visa run to japan.

[DCJames]

[lastat06513]

Good teaching jobs;

1. Are the ones that don't need to advertise on eslcafe.com to find teachers.
2. Are the ones that can ask their current teachers to recommend a friend or someone to take the job rather than spend the money to place an ad and gamble on an unknown.
3. Are the ones that can retain teachers longer than one year.
4. Are places you have to go in person and submit a resume.
5. Are the kind of jobs that might ask the candidates for a demonstration class.
6. Are the ones you don't have to find because if you are experienced and qualified, they will find you....

[xCustomx]

I was in the same situation 2 years ago. I decided to save up money and pay for my own ticket. I lucked out because I received relatively cheap housing from my friend's grandmother, so I lived with her for about a month while I looked for a job. When you're here in person, like other posters mentioned, it really allows you to see the differences between each school and make a better, more informed decision. Talking to the current teacher(s) is key. I once had an owner tell me that I wasn't allowed to speak to the current teachers because of some privacy rule, so I immediately walked away. Anyways, buy a ticket, search the boards for cheap places to stay, study up on some basic korean before you come, and you'll be fine. It'll be stressful, but I'm glad I came here on my own first rather than take a chance with a recruiter