Korean Job Discussion Forums

[the noodles]

A Big HALLO to all you soaking it up in SK

Hope to be with you soon!

I've just had my first interview with Footprint. They wre pretty sweet over the phone or should i say she was pretty sweet over the phone. The interview lasted for about 40 minutes so I'm pretty sure she thought the same.

I'm looking for either public or university work mainly because of the long holidays... BUT looking through this website, i haven't come across any of those 16 weeks paid holiday jobs that some of you brag about... where are they? to be honest, i'd be happy with 8 or 12 weeks.

Are these jobs quite rare? Most of the public schools seem to offer 2 weeks hoiday + naional holidays... I WANT MORE!!!!




Any ideas or advice will be much appreciated?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

What are your qualifications? 'Those kind of jobs' almost always go to people who've been here a while.

[the noodles]

I've been teacing in China for three years,
1 year in a training centre.
1 year as a freelance teacher inclusive of various public schools, training centres and universities.
This year as a Director of Studies in a internationally recognized centre.

I have a BS Honours degree.
TEFL Certificate (Trinity).
Attended and conducted various workshops.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

A few universities would definitely be interested, but there is often a lot of competition for those jobs. To most public schools your TEFL won't mean much. Public schools not part of EPIK or GEPIK offering long, paid holidays will also attract more competition and will probably go with someone they can interview in person. I'd suggest you make multiple copies of a good portfolio and apply to every uni ad you can find, and then plan to visit Korea for as many face-to-face interviews as you can arrange. I would think that January would be peak uni hiring time over here.

[Gwangjuboy]

I would come over here on spec. Spend a couple of weeks getting a feel of the place and secure as many interviews as possible. Then, just take your pick. Your experience and qualifications will definitely be of interest to a few universities here.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Just in case the OP doesn't already know - public school jobs are a lot different from uni jobs over here, so do some reasearch to find out which is best suited to you.

[the noodles]

As I undersatand it University jobs are a lot mor ESL orientated than public schools. Also class sizes seem to be less at Unis.What I like are the similarities. Long paid holidays and reliable bosses who pay on time... in this case the Government.

I kinda agree that i'd be much better off being in Korea and going Direct. Unfortunately due to job restrictions, i'm unable to leave until my contract is over (start of Feb) Judging from a lot of the posts on the Korean Jobs links, a lot of Uni's want you to be in Korea for a face to face

This is one of the reasons why i'm going through recruiters. Personally I know in my heart that I'd prefer a University as i feel it would challenge me a little more.

(RANT)
Jesus Korea asks for a lot when you apply... Original Sealed Transcripts AND Diploma!!! I only have my trascript (original) with me in China. I has my final result on there. Now i have to ask my University to send me or the employer all of this stuff. That alone will cost me 40 pounds 10 for the sealed trancripts and 30 for the diploma!!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Class sizes vary enormously at both public school and uni, so ask ahead. I've taught high school / middle school classes ranging from 12-42 students, not including evening and winter break classes that are usually towards the small side.