Korean Job Discussion Forums

JasonC · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Hello,

I would like to ask those of you who teach at a university in Korea how you went about getting the job, and what you think is necessary for someone in order to get a uni job. If you could take a look at some of these questions, it would be much appreciated!

1. Do you have an MA or higher, or is it possible to get a uni gig with a BA?

2. Did you have a contact (friend etc...) already at the uni? How important is that?

3. How much experience did you already have in Korea?

4. Are unis as concerned about age and appearance as hagwons are?

5. What would you say would be the 5 most important factors in landing a uni job?

Thanks for the help!

Jason

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

is the search function not working today?

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

word of mouth is where its at. i started my uni job on merit - but one week after i was there they needed someone else. i overheard this conversation between staff and the supervisor

hey do you know anyone who wants to work here?

er not right now. what do they need

oh just you know the type. 6 months exp is all we need really. a girl would be nice.

i'll have a look

and that was it! word of mouth is so important at getting your foot in the door. make the rounds of the local bars at uni's near you and get chatting to the uni teachers there. best way for sure.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

You don't have to have a master's, a TEFL cert, contacts, or experience teaching in Korea. Be female, over 35, have 5+ years of experience teaching ESL and university, bring written letters of introduction/reference from professors at well-known American universities, dress the part, and interview well (a background in acting doesn't hurt).

Worked for me.

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

A friend of mine took the dean and English Dept. head out for drinks and frivolity at an area room salon. The night cost him 3 million won, but he got a top-tier job because of it.

Two of the three girls at the room salon happened to be students at the same university! The bosses didn't know that, but one of the girls told my friend. The girls were scared to death they would be noticed, but my friend (who speaks fluent Korean) told them not to sweat it.

I don't know how familiar you are with room salons, but after drinking and chattin' it up, the girls go back to a room with you. Before they went back to rooms, however, one of the girls preteneded to drop her ring, and ducked her head under the table to find it. Only she didn't search for a ring. My friend felt a slim, warm hand grasp his ankle. His neck stiffened in anticipation of what was coming next. That's when she started pulling my friend's leg -- kind of like how I'm pulling yours right now.

Your best bet is to find a way to make yourself stand out from the pack. That's how I got noticed.

Laughing

JasonC · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Pretty much word of mouth. Korea is like everywhere else. It's not what you know...it's who you know.

The Chewbacca Defense · Joined: 29 May 2004 Location: The ROK and a hard place

Apply to a butt load of unis at the right times and take your pick.

I don't have an MA (but I am working on it).

Having connections help, but I am sure that if you present yourself well and have a few years experience than you should be ok.

I will say this: Having an example lesson plan and a written teaching philosophy attached to your resume also helps.