Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bnrockin]

To the job seekers out there-
I recently was employed and I wanted to contribute what I have learned to all of you job seekers to help you to find something.

#1. Use the forum and FAQ-this is a pretty valuable resource to get you to know what to expect. I suggest reading both general discussion and job discussion. Of course take everything you hear with a grain of salt, but you really can gain a lot by reading. You'll go through phases when reading when you think that Korea is the most miserable place on earth and also think it's the best. Eventually, you'll find the equilibrium which is Korea is different to everyone. Anyway, you can get some good info about recruiters, visa stuff, troubleshooting, etc. Maybe even make some good friends.
~The reason I value the forums is because that is how I found my job. Someone was just talking about their school and I asked them about it. They gave me the info and it was PERFECT for me. Just what I was looking for but could never find.

#2. Use many different recruiters. You'll eventually learn the good ones from the cheap ones. I personally recommend englishspectrum.com and worknplay.com. Worknplay is pretty awesome because it has some atypical jobs on there like teaching convo english to a TV studio. How awesome is that?

#3 Learn what you want-as you go through the forums, think about what the top things you want are-what is the most important? Location, salary, age group? Put them in priority. Try to be as exact as you can on what you want. Don't be afraid to tell recruiters what you want. If they can't find it for you, then that sucks for them. Eventually you will learn yourself what you can and cannot be flexible on. Me for example, I wanted to teach adults without split shifts in Seoul. I learned that it was REALLY rare to find all 3 of those together. So I changed a little what I wanted. You will eventually learn what things you will and will not change. Again, for me I would not change location and non-split shift.

#4 Last, know your value. Only you can really evaluate this. Do you really think you are a hard worker who is dedicated and worth more than the average amount of won? I know for myself, even though I didn't have formal experience in Korea teaching english, I did have some teaching experience in the states, plus I had a lot of experience working with Koreans. I knew I was worth more than 2.0. If you think you are worth more than 2.0, than you can convince others why you are worth more than 2.0. Never sell yourself short. Also along with this, never give into demands that you do not want to do. If they want you to work weekends and you don't, BE FIRM in your decision. Say it assertively, but respectfully. You can't let these people walk all over you. Remember, you are in demand. Now if you ask for all sorts of unrealistic things, especially for your experience level, those may not happen.


If you do your homework and have patience, you can find what you want. It never hurts to ask people in the forums about their jobs as well if they are willing to tell you. Use the search function too-that helped me with learning about a lot of the big companies. Best of luck!

[nlmurphy]

Can you tell me a bit more about where you work? I have been flooded with interest from different companies and for the most part they all seem to be a bit off. I had a rep. from an agency be very rude to me last night...I am a little put off by it and now see that they (this particulat company) are working to make money for themselves not to make sure that there is a good fit for me and the school I work for.

Any help would be great!!

[indigo777]

bnrockn
thank you for the positive, encouraging post. I am seeking a position teaching adults and feel like I have talked with every recruiter in the country. Getting a good position is taking awhile but I think in the long run I will get something decent. Again bravo, for the positive.

[bnrockin]

to nlmurphy: Actually I will be willing to tell you more about my company once I start working there for a while. I haven't started yet, but I know it will be a good place. I'll give you the skinny once I spend some time working there.

To indigo: teaching adults is hard to come across. Again, I recommend englishspectrum because I have seen some positions in satellite cities that don't involve splits. Be ready to realize that most positions DO involve them. I am actually teaching older high schoolers and graduates. Not adults, and not college students, but really close. They are pretty mature and fun to be with.

Best of luck on your searches!