Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Scaggs]

Hi everyone,
I'm 24, living in California at the moment and am strongly considering teaching English in Korea. I have learned a lot from reading the FAQs here, but I have some questions that I didn't get clearly from FAQs, and also maybe just some advice/opinions.

Relevent information: 24, male, white with an average California accent, BA in Poli Sci from UCSD, cum laude honors, about $2500 saved for getting myself there and set up, small amount of volunteer work at an elementary school but no ESL experience, no Korean language experience.

From the boards, it is sounding like a lot of people recommend coming to the country and finding a job there and doing the visa run, so I can judge potential employment situations for myself. As I am making my decision, I am trying to figure out everything to do before flying over. With the BA it sounds as if hagwons are my best opportunity for employment.

THINGS TO DO?
- Obtain a 1-way ticket to Seoul
- Obtain a tourist visa before leaving, since I won't have a round trip to get 30-day visit permission (is there a better way to do this?)
- Work on learning the hangul alphabet
- Other things to do before I fly?
- Post a resume to websites? When should I start doing that relative to when I leave?

THINGS TO BRING? (not focusing on comfort items, like deoderant or such, but paperwork, records, the things that I will absolutely have to have to get in to the country and find a job.)
- Passport with visa
- Copies of my resume
- College transcripts -- copies? notarized?
- Passport sized photos to go with resume.
- Other things I will need to have with me to find employment

RANDOM QUESTIONS
- Should I arrange a hotel or hostel online from the states?
- Not arranging a job ahead, and not speaking Korean, will it be much easier to focus on Seoul and spare myself by not even thinking of an extra leg of travel both on arrival and on my visa run?
- If I plan to do a visa run to Japan (Fukuoka I guess) how much is that going to cost, travel and hotel? Am I better getting that covered or my plane ticket (~$600USD) covered?
- I hate making expecatations, 'cause that is the quickest way to end up disappointed, but what is a reasonable expectation for an amount of time between landing in country and having a place to live and job to work?

Right now it feels like there should be more steps involved to doing a move like this. Any advice is welcome and appriciated, both in regards to the points I raise and the ones that I didn't but should have. I expect I'll probably have a few more rounds of questions too. =)

Thanks in advance,
Michael

[Son Deureo!]

[huffdaddy]

[Son Deureo!]

[RachaelRoo]

Hey OP, I'm currently doing exactly what you're planning to do (for the second time). You've definitely got the right idea about coming here first to look for a job.

Don't be afraid to ask schools to compensate you for your airfare in addition to paying for your visa run. Some recruiters will try to tell you that schools won't do this, but I know for sure that many schools will do this for a qualified, in country candidate who is ready to work immediately.

It is possible to set up interviews before you arrive, but it won't be necessary. You'll likely be jet lagged and disorientated when you arrive, and with the ample funds you have, I'd suggest taking the first few days to just explore your surroundings and maybe post your resume on www.worknplay.co.kr
Personally, from that one site, I have as many responses from employers and recruiters as I have time to respond to, and a few look pretty good.

Here's a good place to stay: http://www.backpackerkorea.com/
It's about $25 a night for a single room.

The only airline that I hear always asks to see the return ticket is Air Canada because they hate having customers, but to be safe, could you arrange a fully refundable airline ticket before you leave? I bought one from Air Canada but I don't know if airlines in the states do that.

It is surprisingly easy to come here without a job and set yourself up, especially because the demand for foreign teachers here is much greater than the supply - and don't forget that when you're considering a position or negotiating a contract!

[Novernae]

[Qinella]

I can only add one thing to what has already been said, and this is: do not let a friendly personality deceive you. At my current position, I merely glossed over the contract because I was naively taken in by the charming hagwon director. He speaks nearly flawless English, lived in the US for 5 years, and his hagwon really is a good program. Months later, I found myself wishing I'd have paid attention to the contract. Issues arose that I thought just wouldn't.

And that's all I have to say. Treat every person you meet as though they are planning to screw you over, regardless of how wonderful they seem. (That's not meant to be a hit on Korea, btw. This goes for anywhere.)

[Scaggs]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. It is comforting both to hear endorsements from voices of experience and also nice just seeing that there are friendly people there who will take a couple of minutes to help someone out.

[Novernae]

[jlb]

You seem pretty well prepared. I don't think anyone has mentioned this but a good way to set up some interviews (besides doing it on your own) would be to talk to 2 or 3 different recruiters. DON'T give them your documents but just use them for the connection to the school and take it from there. Also, don't stick to one exclusively but spread your bets around.

You can afford to be picky so don't jump at the first thing offered! I think many schools will pay a premium for a whilte face sitting in front of them and not something uncertain back in North America.

[Son Deureo!]