Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crazy tigger]

The situation is this, I am going to be travelling for two months in South America and would like to be able to start a job in Korea as soon after that as possible (Will be June time next year)

Should I contact recruiters and speak to them before I leave and then try and stay in contact with them for the 2 months while I am away? I'm not sure how much internet access I will have during this time.

Or should I wait until I get back, if so would a month be feasible at all for the time between starting the job search and getting to Korea?

[ttompatz]

[Hyeon Een]

If you're REALLY not fussy you can be like I was. I wanted a job and put my resume up all over the internet. I mentioned to my parents I might be looking for a job in korea, they said "Oh, that's nice, let us know more about it.."

Next day I got a call. (Well I got lots, but one that I liked). The man said when can you come? I said "If you're paying for the ticket, any time" he said "Tomorrow?" I said "I'll call my travel agent". So I left about 2 days after my job search started.

Of course I worked illegaly for a coupla months (and got busted, which was fun) but it all worked out well. If you're not fussy and don't mind working illegaly for a little while you can be on a plane within 24hrs of starting a job search. That is the Gonzo-ESL-teacher style though, and not for everyone.

(If there are ever a bunch of drunk unemployed university graduates who ever wanta have a mad bet, I recommend the "Who can get employed in Korea first" bet. That'd be fun. Might make a dumb TV show too.)

[CBP]

Just wait until you're ready. Recruiters will want all of your application materials as soon as you make contact with them. Some will even refuse to continue contact with you until you've sent (emailed) your resume, photo, etc. Don't plaster your resume all over the place. You'll get spammed and a lot of people will have some very personal information about you. When you're ready, come back here and find one or two recruites that come highly recommended, and then also start searching the job board and apply directly to those positions. Don't risk going to Korea without a work visa.

[crazy tigger]

I don't want to work illegally while I'm there so it will be a case of waiting forthe visa etc to be sorted however I will have all my documents ready and waiting.

I'm probably looking at a hogwan, I've never been to Asia before and I like the idea of not being the only westerner in a school, or location even.

Thanks for the replies, was hoping to only have to spend a month in the UK before leaving for Korea although ifit is longer then I'll have to live with it.

[Hotpants]

You can apply at any time you want. Recruiters especially will be able to find any old job for you at any stage of the year. However, for the 'best' jobs, intake is typically in March (start of academic year) and sometimes fall (post summer vacation) with employers looking about 3 months in advance.

Howabout you just start with a summer camp in Korea for July, then you will have some funds to hang around and check out the job scene in more detail?

[crazy tigger]

Thanks Hotoants, I'd not thought of the possibility of a summer camp, in fact don't really know much about them, I'll start doing a bit of research on that now.

[dogshed]