Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jurassic82]

I had a question about finding work while already in Korea. At the end of the month I'm going to put in my notice at my school as I can no longer take the BS that I have to deal with day in and day out. Plus the school has been losing money but I'm not going to get into the details. I was wondering what the best way was for finding work. I will have a month and I want to find a job quickly as I don't want to inconvience any of my friends by sleeping on their floor and I have only a little bit of savings. At the same time I don't want to get shafted again by a recruiter like I did this last time by making a hasty decision. Those of you that have out there who have been in a similar situation did you have trouble finding work after quiting a job part way through the contract? Did future employers even ask you about what happened? Assuming that everything works okay with my emloyer canceling my VISA what do you think are the chances of finding a descent job in the next month and the best way of finding one? Thanks ahead of time for anyone offering advice.

[HAITAITIGERZ]

no worries ... stuff like this happens all the time to a lot of people ... i think the best way to find a job, ASAP is to walk around and ask for the director ... tell the director with a smile you are looking for a job and if they know anyone who is interested... and if they say no, they can't help you, always offer to leave ur cell no. just in case ... all directors know each other and some enjoy helping each others out in need ... makes them look good ... regardless, you can go to the new hagwon do an interview and see if you like it ... the more hagwon you introduce yourself too, the more options you will have ... if you like, take a bus and go to a neighborhood you like, and visit the hagwons around there ... smile and be polite ... worked for me and finally picked a great hagwon ...

if you go to a recruiter, you'll just end up taking another gamble with another possible jerk of a boss ... ending up in the same situation again

[babtangee]

Don't accept a job with a low salary, regardless. Low pay almost always equals no respect from your Korean master. I think using a recruiter is fine, but you have to make sure you meet the wonjangoverlord before you sign your soul over to him. If he doesn't speak any English, forget about it - he's not trying. You'll probably be expected to adapt to him with no give and take. It's Korean Way! Your a gyopo, right? All the more reason to avoid these employers if so - I believe.

[Hyeon Een]

I quit my last job and put my resume up on Dave's, englishspectrum, worknplay etc. with the title "Looking for a University or Public School job" or something similar. I got offered several in a short space of time. This was almost a year ago to the day. I quit at the 6 month mark.

I got a job in a "Unigwan". It's been good to me. Decent pay, 10 weeks vacation, max 20 classes a week (most of the year was less), good working environment. I turned down a couple of other "unigwans" and a bunch of public school jobs. I don't think they even asked why I quit; it wasn't an issue.

(The reason was because I was suddenly given kindergarten classes which I hadn't taught before and didn't enjoy when they arrived. Kindergarten wasn't for me.)

I got my current job through a recruiter. Recruiters are good. They put you in contact with lots more jobs than you could find otherwise. Just make sure you research your job before you accept it.

[munster]

Hyeon,

What is a Unigwan?

I've heard that going to Korea to look first may take a while and then one has to do a visa run correct? How do you know what recruiter is good and which school is the best choice? What's the best choice for someone with no experience?

Also, I'm still confused about the visa. If you don't like the school you're in, you have to get a release letter and then go to immigration? What if the director of the school doesn't like you quitting? Then what may happen?

[wisernow]

Make sure that you visit the school you are going to work at and if you can apply directly on your own just bypass recruiters as they will only add a recruiting fee to your application. Recruiters get paid by the school so no matter what they say they are working for the school not you.

Also, you will need to work out your current exit so that your visa will be free otherwise you will have to work illegaly and that can be trouble if you don't get paid or get caught.

You may want to find out how much notice your current school is expecting from you.

[Dan The Chainsawman]