Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

How many recruiters did you talk to before you finally found a job you liked? Was it worth the wait (and headache)?

In the past couple of weeks, I've fielded dozens of emails, sent even more, had the same number of phone interviews, and feel I'm no closer to finding a job I can feel comfortable with! On the plus side, I am getting better at saying "No."

Is this Standard Operating Procedure for Korea?

Boodleheimer · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject:

is your swear word here "crappy" or "freaking"? i accidentally chose my crappy job. (didn't know it was crappy at the time)

the1andonly · Joined: 08 Feb 2007

geeesh. It doesn't really matter where you sign. Crooked korean employers are going to change hours on you all the time.

Rookie.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

March / Mid March is recruiting time for public school jobs. Wait until one of these comes in.

I've done both Hakwan work and Public School work and would never go back to the former.

Unless I was planning to stay only an exra six months for a cash cow project, then I might consider it... get money, hand in notice after 6th month, work one month's notice...

If pub school job doesn't turn up, only Hakwan jobs I would consider if I were you would be adult (split shfts killer at first but can get used to it, much preffereable to teaching kids) or a Kids job at a decent chain (SLP are usually very proffessianal, but stay hell away from Wonderland, ECC, Ding ding dang etc...) and don't accept less than 2.1 mill, as I found loads will offer this or more these days esp around pub school hiring times...

Make sure you speak to someone who is STILL WORKING at the place to see if they like it there, NOT someone who you ARE REPLACING as they will say anything just to make sure they don't get screwed over with salary, bonus etc...

Hajwan jobs can be okay if you know how to make the most of it, don't take it TOO seriously, make sure the kids learn as much as they can but keep it enjoyable and know how to keep the boss happy (basically agreing weith everything they say whilst doing your own thing anyway - they wont notice most of the time...)

Good luck

Boodleheimer · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject:

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

True, but former much LESS likely to lie than latter.

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

Contacted 12 recruits and 11 of them responded. Talked to 10 of them and only liked one. Waited for six weeks for that recruiter to find me a suitable job. Was offered more than 16 jobs, but only 5 from the recruiter I liked. I took the best of the five and here I am in Korea. Whatever you do, don't rush your job search or I guarantee you will regret it. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have told other people this and they still don't listen. Oh and it's definitely possible to find a good job and to negotiate a good salary. Don't be discouraged by the negativity on this board.

Sody

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Thanks, Sody--precisely the type of answer I was looking for.

KWhitehead--I should've added an apostrophe to the end...

the1andonly--Since I'm new to this board, I took the term "Rookie" in the nicest possible way.

venus--Cheers for that. I can't leave my current job until the end of May, so here's hoping something opens up this summer.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

chocolatechipcharlie · Joined: 30 May 2006

It took me 3 months, from August to October, to find my job. I started my job in November, in Busan, and have been very happy with it. I spent a lot of time talking to a friend who told me about Busan in the first place, and recommended a recruiter. She recommended one (RBI), but I found my job through another (Kim n Joes), which I found by looking for recruiters on the net.

After finding a recruiter I contacted my friend to find out the best places to live in Busan, and waited until a job came up with the right pay, conditions, and location. Finally, I made sure that I spoke to the existing native teacher using Skype (always over the phone and not by email, due to dubious email exchanges with people in China).

Finally I got the right job, with a small commute from where I live in Busan to my workplace, but am happy enough with that as I satisfied my two conditions; right job, and right location.

Oh yeah, some of the recruiters can be very pushy. One offered me a job in a rural area, and seemingly wouldn't take no for an answer. I don't deal with that sort of recruiter on principle.

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Change my hours? Change the contract? Hey just give me my paycheck. That was the problem I was having back Stateside. God bless Korea.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Gatsby · Joined: 09 Feb 2007

Do you think recruiters try to foist off the hard to fill jobs on new applicants, and then offer you something better if you say no?

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

there's nothing wrong with just sitting on here doing some research. I have done it for about a year and I have about 7 pages bookmarked with highly recommended recruiters and a blacklist too. Not to mention, you will learn a lot of inside info about the small things that people have problems with and stuff. You will learn to take some things people say with a grain of salt, but others can be very helpful. Try to do some active searching yourself for schools.