Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nick70100]

I�m considering coming to Korea and searching for a job once I�m there. I�m looking for all the tips/advice I can get on this, especially from people who�ve done it before. I found a couple of threads on this subject, but nothing really specific.

I finished up my first contract in Korea in September and I�ve been back in the states since then traveling around, visiting people, etc. I had always planned to come back to Korea, I just didn�t think it would be this tough to find a job the second time around. I guess it�s a lot harder when you know what you don�t want. I�ve been in touch with a lot of recruiters and I�ve gotten a few mediocre and even more just plain terrible offers. I finally accepted a decent position last week and just received word today that the director has �cancelled the contract� because he found someone who is already in Seoul. I figured if you can�t beat em, join em. I found some decent prices on tickets leaving next week, and I think I�m ready to go back. I just want to make sure I�ve got everything covered.

Will there be any problems if I buy a one-way ticket? I read in one post about buying a refundable ferry ticket to Japan as proof that you plan to leave the country, but the post was several years old. Is this still the standard practice?

Will I have any problems with immigration when I get there? I have an expired E2 in my passport. Will there be any issues entering as a tourist so soon? Should I write �teacher� as occupation on the card or will that make them suspicious? If they ask questions should I be honest and say that I plan to search for a job? Or is that kind of thing not kosher on a tourist visa?

Where should I be looking for jobs? Who should I be sending my resume to? Are there any recruiters/websites that specialize in jobs starting ASAP for people who are already in Korea? Dave�s job board seems geared more to people outside of the country. Worknplay seems a little better, but there�s a lot of part-time stuff there. I�m looking for something in Seoul with no kindy. I don�t think I�m being too picky, but haven�t had many good offers applying from the states.

If you�ve done this before, how quickly did you start getting offers and how long did it take to find a job? I�m a US citizen so I can only get a 30-day tourist visa. I�m a little worried about just settling for a crap job if the deadline starts to get close. If worst comes to worst, how about hopping to Japan and back the same or next day? Will Korean immigration give me a new tourist visa?

I know my way around Seoul well enough, and I shouldn�t have much trouble finding a place to stay.

Anything else I�m not thinking of?

I suppose if anyone knows of any specific job openings in Seoul send me a pm.

Thanks in advance.

[Ed Provencher]

I am an American and I have a 90 day visa. It's called a C-3 visa. I'm doing what you are planning on doing. There's a ton of job offers everyday. A few recruiters are kind enough to ask you what you are looking for and will try to find it for you. I've been looking for the perfect job for about 5 weeks while I stay with a friend. I'm being really picky about everything, so that's why it's taking me forever to sign a contract. I figured I would have signed a contract by now. I don't intend to look for the entire 90 days of my visa... I feel like a bum not working. I want to stay here for two years, so it would be nice if my patience pays off with a job I will enjoy.

[dogshed]

I posted my resume with a note saying I wanted to be near a ski resort on a lark and few days later I got job offer near a ski resort. Maybe if you just say what you want you will get it?

I'm doing EPIC. When I went to get my ARC the other foreign teacher with me was on a tourist visa and got his E2 at the same time. It's not clear if he got his airfare reimbursed. -Jeff

[Scaggs]

I am here looking now. I am glad to be seeing things first hand. If you are returning so soon, why not just list your reason as visiting friends. I listed myself as a tourist, but really it didn't seem like the guy cared much. I bought a roundtrip that is going to get used. The visa says you need proof of exit, so I had it prepared, I don't know if I needed it. Another guy staying at the hostel I am at, who really was just here touring, didn't have a ticket out of the country (he was planning on buying one to go on to China when he had enough of Korea) and the airline made him buy a round trip before boarding. My search is focusing on Dave's and worknplay, lots of offers, haven't settled on one yet.

Good luck!

[OiGirl]

[chopsticks]

I have found applying in person to be a much more agreeable process than hunting from overseas. I arrived at the end of August and, with the help of a company-direct ad on WorkNPlay (no recruiters!, yeah), was working by mid September.

The one way air ticket was dodgy though. I figured a return ticket would be a waste considering plans to trek around SE Asia at the end of this contract. Wrong I was... almost didn't make it onto my flight(s).

I arrived at the Air Canada counter in Vancouver and was informed I needed a return ticket. After much convincing I was finally allowed to fly as far as San Francisco where, I was assured, the same problems were awaiting me. Not so... got to the Singapore Air counter and ta-da! No questions asked and on my way.

So, one way tickets are a bit risky, but worth it in my case.

And there you have it.... come to Korea, check out the schools in person, meet your employers face to face, smell out that fish or flower for yourself. My first year at a crappy, poorly managed hogwan was very hard to deal with so this time around I am VERY thankful to be at a school I really like!

Job hunt in person... makes all the difference

[Hotpants]

I came job hunting on spec for my 2nd job in Korea. I also got offered a barrage of potentially poor jobs, but a single great job emerged at the last moment. One good offer is all you need. I think a lot depends on timing with a fair degree of luck, too, but the bulk of the non-hagwon jobs should start to advertise soon for the following March intake, so if you time it right, you could have a few good options to go for.

I would also opt for a return flight regardless of the airline requirement, as you never know what might happen. Spending 3 months here as a tourist isn't free. There are all sorts of hidden costs. You don't want to be stuck with an employer who turns you down after being accepted at the last moment with not enough funds to get you out of Korea. It nearly happened to me, and I only managed to secure my ticket to Japan for the visa run on the very day my tourist visa was going to expire. I very nearly had to use the return portion of my flight, so was glad I had it for backup. With partial flight reimbursement and severance, you won't overall lose out on too much money.

[heeheehee]

What strategies are used when you all search for work? Do you just go walking down the street with resumes and degrees in hand?

This is what I'm most curious about. And do schools pay for your airfare AND visa run?

This is a great thread!

[princess]

[u05emk2]

I am coming to Korea next week on a one way flight. I know the requirement is a return but I have a friend in Seoul who used a one way ticket from London and it was no problem for her. I don't know whether it's different if you are flying from other countries or if it's just down to the airline. I have been looking at jobs in Seoul for quite a while now and have finally decided to come to Korea to view the schools/speak to employers first hand. I can stay with my friend until I get sorted so its not too bad a deal. I have heard people saying that one requirement when entering on a tourist visa is that you have a certain amount of cash. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, how much?

[Ed Provencher]