Korean Job Market: My Experiences - Ajarn Forum

Capricious · 9th May 2008, 22:21

The Korean job market is much much more expansive than I ever had imaginied. For those of you considering a tour in Korea in the near future, here is a little of what you can expect:

I put my teaching resume online and within 48 hours I had literally 39 schools/agencies pursuing me by phone and email. Another 15 or so joined the fray a day or so later, with new ones continualy popping up. At first I was completely overwhelmed by the volume of schools and was trying to scout them as best as possible. Some good schools recruit directly and leave the duty to their head foreign teacher. It's nice to get a fellow foreign teacher on the phone for some straight talk. Many schools also provide photos of the school, accomodation, surrounding city, and all the contact info for all the foreign teachers. Personally, I would not settle for anything less because there are too many schools out there willing to committ to full disclosure. The ones not taking this step I simply weeded out.

As far as salary and other things go...Pre-paid roundtrip airfare seems to be standard. Some schools offer reimbursed flights, but personally I wouldn't settle for that when there are heaps of other schools willing to pay up front. My one year of teaching in Thailand, and 2 years + of doing ESL back in the States has brought me consistent offers of 2.4-2.6 million won per month. If you have some experience, then really there is no reason to accept the offers of 2.1-2.2 million that some recruiters will try to toss at you.

Also, be sure to save about 2 months for the visa process. There are a lot of steps, including a face to face interview at a Korean Consulate which may be inconviently located.

Well these are just my initial observations. I haven't made any decisions or commitments yet, but I have been impressed with the professionalism exemplified by some of the schools thus far.

goo_stewart · 10th May 2008, 11:57

I am one of those trying to recruit for my academy, I am trying to recruit my replacement. It is quite tough to recruit. I do find that many people have unrealistic expectations out there. The salaries haven't moved dramatically (although they have gone up) but some guys out there are expectiing too much. They have heard of the pot of gold in Korea but don't really know the situation. 2.4 M in Seoul is ok for a newbie, but outside I would think 2.2 or 2.3 is more likely.

jonny danger · 10th May 2008, 17:20

Are there any teachers left in Horea who arn't Canadian?

Constantine · 10th May 2008, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capricious

The Korean job market is much much more expansive than I ever had imaginied. For those of you considering a tour in Korea in the near future, here is a little of what you can expect:

I put my teaching resume online and within 48 hours I had literally 39 schools/agencies pursuing me by phone and email. Another 15 or so joined the fray a day or so later....

Does this mean conditions are good?

I think it means schools are desparate - so choose very, very, carefully.

WhatsGrammar? · 11th May 2008, 02:45

Well......I,ve just been through the process and it is a little complicated.

The visa that is most commonly used for teaching in Korea is the E-2. To obtain the E-2 requires a lot of hoops to jump through. Firstly..........if you have never had an E-2 visa before then you will be required to have an interview at the Korean consulate/embassy....in your HOME country. Can,t be done in Thailand, unless you are Thai.

You will also need to obtain your criminal records check which must be no older than 6 months. This then needs to be APOSTILLED.

You will also require signed and SEALED transcripts of your degree. No exceptions. If the consulate has some doubts, they will ask you to sign a waiver form allowing them to contact your University directly.
You will also have to undergo a drugs test ( once in Korea ) although they no longer test for cannaboids.

ALWAYS ask for pictures and detailed description of the apartment being offered. Some of them are no bigger than shoeboxes.

ALWAYS ask to see a copy of the contract and go through it with a fine toothcomb.
Apart from those hurdles......yes you can make good money and easily save. My salary is 4 million won ( approx $4000 ) per month with a free 3 bed house and utilities paid for.

The jobs are out there.......just do your research first.

goo_stewart · 11th May 2008, 10:31

Wow, where the hell did you get a 4 million Won job at??? That is big money! Is it a normal teaching job? Do you have a teaching degree or an advanced degree? I thought this kind of money was outside the range of us lowly TEFLers.

And btw, does anyone want a job in Ulsan........?

jimbo · 11th May 2008, 20:27

4 mill. 3 bedroom WG??....I highly doubt that, but then that could just be my jealousy talking.

WhatsGrammar? · 11th May 2008, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo_stewart

Wow, where the hell did you get a 4 million Won job at??? That is big money! Is it a normal teaching job? Do you have a teaching degree or an advanced degree? I thought this kind of money was outside the range of us lowly TEFLers.

And btw, does anyone want a job in Ulsan........?

British International school. They needed qualified teachers from the UK with recent UK curriculum experience.

I guess I fitted their criteria.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

4 mill. 3 bedroom WG??....I highly doubt that, but then that could just be my jealousy talking.

100% . Plus free utilities and the use of a car. It was advertised on the Korean Job Board about 6 weeks ago but I got a months head-up on it from a colleague. I was first through the door. Luck I guess.

Had to be a UK qual Primary Teacher though.

I need the 1 years experience here though, so the resume looks good. The next plan is to get this behind me whilst looking for openings with BAE Systems in Saudi. Now that is BIG money

goo_stewart · 11th May 2008, 20:36

ahhh, that explains it. We are mostly talking abot TEFL jobs which pay 2.2-2.4 million Won. Most people won't have recent experience with UK curriculum. TEFL jobs dont even need (or want in most cases) anything other than a degree.

WhatsGrammar? · 11th May 2008, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo_stewart

ahhh, that explains it. We are mostly talking abot TEFL jobs which pay 2.2-2.4 million Won. Most people won't have recent experience with UK curriculum. TEFL jobs dont even need (or want in most cases) anything other than a degree.

True. But there are still jobs out there in Seoul that will pay around 3 mill. Its a matter of being in the right place at the right time I guess.

goo_stewart · 11th May 2008, 21:02

I disagree. 3 mill is a lot of money for your average TEFL job and is really only accessible to those who have contacts or a higher degree. The average school or hogwan is paying 2.4 mill in Seoul. There are a lot of people with false expectations out there. Even a couple of years experience (outside of Korea) doesn't get you any more money. A couple of years inside Korea will get you a little more.

WhatsGrammar? · 11th May 2008, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo_stewart

I disagree. 3 mill is a lot of money for your average TEFL job and is really only accessible to those who have contacts or a higher degree. The average school or hogwan is paying 2.4 mill in Seoul. There are a lot of people with false expectations out there. Even a couple of years experience (outside of Korea) doesn't get you any more money. A couple of years inside Korea will get you a little more.

I agree that 2.2- 2.4 is the average for a Hogwan. I,m simply stating that there are 3 mill salary jobs out there, just a case of looking.

Check out Daves ELS Cafe, Korean Job Board. I,ve already stopped counting how many jobs there are for 2.8 mill and 3 mill. You have to work more hours sure........but that wasn,t the topic of the conversation.

Just the usual BA degree,s required.

Matthew · 11th May 2008, 22:20

Open question but having Jimbo in mind...

How easy is it for a Thai wifey to spend a year or two in Korea

while her TEFL-hack hubby grinds it out in the hogwans?

And what is there for her? Are Koreans friendly with Thais generally?

Bit off topic I know...mods, this lazy ex-mod expects you to move

this post to a better thread if you're mod mojo happens to be workin'.

jimbo · 11th May 2008, 23:40

I wouldn't use me as an example Matty. Quite a special case here..

But, in general I've heard some horror stories and some not so horrible stories. Depends on what Apple would do with her time. Some thai wifeys do just fine, and even pick up some korean language/cooking skills...others watch the door from day one, and their marriage becomes affected....still others seperate, but then things work out..... Koreans can be a bit in your face for the Thai mold. I've heard Pusan is about as close to a Thai demeanor in Korean clothing you can find.....and it's still a huge gap. The sticks might work out better....country folk in any country tend to be easier (in some ways).

Anyways, Matty if you want to talk in more detail...specific ?s, etc.....PM me.

Now,...back to topic. Congrats WG,...that's some good stuff. Good luck in ur future house of Saud man. If money is your main game, that is the place to be. 3 year Riyadh vet here.

PS: A private teacher here in Korea, willing to work insane hours, block hours smartly, and demand payment before the lesson can peak at 10,000 usd per mo. Without all the xtras that WG has of course.

MisterStretch · 12th May 2008, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by goo_stewart

They have heard of the pot of gold in Korea but don't really know the situation. 2.4 M in Seoul is ok for a newbie, but outside I would think 2.2 or 2.3 is more likely

For a newbie in the established organizations, GEPIK, EPIK, etc. That's probably true.

But also take into account if you're not a newbie, then ask for more. I've said it on another thread, but I teach four extra hours (of dedicated, interested high school kids) and that brings me to 3.15 a month. I have a two-bedroom apartment with a view...live in a rural and clean town that is literally 15 minutes from my front door to the 'big city' or an hour to Pusan...other than being bored from time to time (just waiting for the warmer weather to go fishing in my off time) it's a pretty good gig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capricious

I have been impressed with the professionalism exemplified by some of the schools thus far.

Big grain of salt with this one, Cap. Lots of recruiters and schools sound good upfront, but suck when you get right down to it. Do a lot of research before signing on the dotted line. On the other hand, I'm happier than a pig in shit right now with my Korean gig. Good people, recruiter played straight with me, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

Koreans can be a bit in your face for the Thai mold. I've heard Pusan is about as close to a Thai demeanor in Korean clothing you can find.....and it's still a huge gap. The sticks might work out better....country folk in any country tend to be easier

I'd agree with this, as I'm living in the country and find it much friendlier than the year I lived in the city before. Koreans can be quite racist, especially for darker-skinned folk, but country people (of who many are darker from all the time they spend in their fields) tend to be more accepting.

The big thing would be, as Jimbo said, what would she do in her spare time. You can only clean the apartment so many times. I had a Brasilian bird here for four months the last time I lived in Korea. She found that she was quite happy spending warm days on the beach on cooler or rainy ones watching Korean pop music videos if I wasn't home.

Really depends on the woman, though.