Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

So I've finally got all of my documents ready (aside from transcripts - i'm not doing those) and two days ago I started applying for work. I went to Dave's ESL and picked out over 20 recruitment agencies, then applied to all of them.

So far i've had a few e-mails, two phone calls and an 'interview' which lasted 5 minutes just asking me what i'm looking for. I find it strange that EVERY recruiter keeps asking me the same questions, despite having answered them when initially entering their respective forms (also I answered some of them in my covering letter) and one of the recruiters even rang me to ask he same questions, that i'd already answered twice before.

Anyway, whenever I mention Busan then all seem to say they either have no work there, or it's hard to get and ask whether I would consider other areas. I can't really consider other areas, because my partner (who's also about to apply, but NOT as a couple) really wants to be in Busan for the ferry's to Japan/Jeju in our limited holiday time, besides Busan does look amazing.

I thought Busan was supposed to be the second largest city. I mean yes it will be popular, but then it has to be because there are more people there and presumably more work. Seoul is also popular yet there seem to be many jobs there.

I'm hoping my partner won't have trouble finding work, because she's female and attractive, but i'm a little worried about myself. Am I unlucky or just too ambitious?

It's been only a couple of days, so I'll wait and see.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

It is getting more difficult as a lot of private instituitions are struggling with economic issues and the public schools are cutting back on hiring too. This has lead to a lot of people battling for the same jobs however if you keep trying I'm sure you will get something. Having your documents already prepared is a big plus. My advice is usually stay clear of recruiters as they all have the same jobs available and it's usually the ones no one else wants.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

Thank you for your response, however if we're to stay away from recruiters then where do we look for jobs?

Dave's ESL etc (where everybody recommends us to go) is FULL of recruiters.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

Personally I feel it's best to consider other places in Korea. Ulsan is a 40 minute bus ride to Busan. There's heaps of work here. 

A previous comment about the economy is true in most places in Korea. Be patient, something will turn up.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

Look here on Korean Bridge for jobs, also on waygook.org. The best way is to join Busan facebook groups and look for people who say their Hagwon is hiring.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

Look here on Korean Bridge for jobs, also on waygook.org. The best way is to join Busan facebook groups and look for people who say their Hagwon is hiring.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

I’ve used RBI recruiters twice, back in 2008 and 2012. I’ve never had any problems with them. They are a little less responsive then they used to be, but just keep emailing them all the time.  They will get you a job.

Good Luck!

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

Like someone else mentioned, joining a Busan group on facebook is a good idea. Alot of people will post there when their school is looking to hire. 

You might not always have the the choice to avoid recruiters. When you're in contact with them, I think it's important to be persistant. They sometimes have a hard time selling the cities that aren't Busan or Seoul and are quick to tell someone there are no jobs in a place so that they might be able to persuade them to go elsewhere. Decide where you want to be and let them know that. If you have the time, and can be patient, you can wait it out a while to see what the situation is before you decide to start trying for another city. Like another poster said, there are a few cities that are close enough to Busan. 

 

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

Well I still haven't been close to finding work in Busan. So far i've been rejected because i'm not female, North American or already in Busan. It sounds like i'm going to have to call it quits and go to Seoul. I thought I was supposed to be in a good position, being 26, fairly good looking and available right now with all documents ready, but apparently not.

The obvious answer would be that there's some sort of blemish in my application, but I honestly cannot see one. Why i'm being rejected for being English, when I'm going to teach English, is seriously beyond me. I know we British have some strange accents (also some Americans do) but mine is the typical accent that people expect British people to have. I speak very clearly.

I've joined some Facebook groups and still nothing. I'm very disappointed and i'm not going to waste too much time now waiting for somebody to be interested. I hope Seoul is not so picky. Also i've just found out that the Ministry of Education now requires its own set of apostilled documents, which we've now got to get (and for two people). My opinion of Korea is already suffering and i've not yet stepped on a plane. 

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

You will hear the same things from recruiters in Seoul, ie preferably North American Female but it's not exactly the truth. Don't be discouraged by that bullsh*t. You have only been job-searching for two weeks, relax, it will take longer than that in Seoul or Busan because of the amount of people applying versus the amount of jobs. It's definitely  true that there are fewer jobs because of  the economy, teachers staying for longer, less public school jobs etc but if you really want to come to Busan don't give up yet. 

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

I would agree with most of what has been said here. Don't give up on Busan because it's taking too long. It's a fantastic city to work in and well worth the wait. Like someone else mentioned, Ulsan is a legitimate alternative. It's very close with multiple different means of public transit. It's also a wealthy city because of Hyundai being there and people are willing to pay some serious cash for your speaking services.

Be patient with this process. Landing a job here is a huge "hurry up and wait" mind game. Also, if you're interested in coming out here, look into obtaining a D10 visa, ie. looking for work visa.

Re: Finding Work in Busan is Hard?

I'm not sure why you expect to find a job in your prefered area so quickly.  I've gone through a few jobs over the years, and even with a masters, experience, and being in country, jobs don't jump up the instant you want them.  I've known a couple of female Americans in Korea with good social networks who've had to look for more than a couple of weeks to find something.

You're neither unlucky nor too ambitious, but you are unrealistically impatient.