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Typically, there are two ways of getting a teaching job in Korea. The first is to apply directly to the employer. The second is to apply through job consultants. Good recruiting companies usually have longer lists of job openings, and you are provided with information about the visa process, Korea, location information, school information and most importantly, it is free for the teachers to apply!

1) Sending an application

Have a Successful Resume

Only state details those are relevant to the teaching profession. If you have a TESOL/TEFL/ESOL/TESL certificate, put it on the resume along with how many hours you have done and with whom. Teachers who have experience as camp counselors, nannies, tutors, or camp leaders always get priority for jobs over those without such experience.
Make an organized and clear resume, cover letter and application. Employers and recruiters often judge an applicant’s attitude by reviewing his/her resume. If relevant details, references, and information is lacking they might think that you are not very serious about the job application process.
Do not include your bartender/waitress experience!
Bartender/waitress jobs are considered as pretty low level of positions in Korea and at the same time, Teaching jobs are a high level of position.
Believe me, it won’t be helpful at all!

2) At the interview

*Phone Interviewing Do's and Don't

by Patrick Lee 2010-09-10

Here are the keys to successful job interviewing. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success

*Do plan to get ready by your phone about 10 minutes early. If you don’t answer your phone for a job interview is never excusable. If you are running late, do phone your recruiter or company.

*Do greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you're not sure, do ask your recruiter about the pronunciation before going into the interview. This is where you make your first impression.

*Do show clear accent Korean employers prefer North American accent. If you don’t have North-American accent, try to speak with neutral accent. Don't be soft-spoken. A forceful voice projects confidence.

*Don't tell jokes during the interview.

*Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company.

*Do have good motives to come to Korea and teach. Don’t say that you are coming to Korea b/c of your girl friend or boy friend or for travel purpose.

*Do show that you have good class management skills

*Do avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh," and "um").

*Do have a high confidence and energy level with bright personality, but don't be overly aggressive.

*Do avoid controversial topics. Don't say anything negative about former employers, or supervisors.

*Do stress your achievements. And don't offer any negative information about yourself.

*Don't bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.

*Don't inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses or other benefits until after you've received an offer. You can ask those to your recruiters.

*Do ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. Don't ever not ask any questions -- it shows a lack of interest.

*Do close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process.

and ..

Listen and be

honest! Listen carefully to the interviewer to see that they understand fully the message you are trying to send. If you do not know the answer to a question, tell the truth. If an interviewer asks about experience that you do not have, tell the truth, but quickly explain to them that you are looking for a chance to learn more about that subject.

I’m a multi-player When you are looking at teaching jobs around Korea it is inevitable that you will apply with several companies. Do not refer any school or company names to the interviewer. All school employers want to hire a teacher who is very much interested in working with them and who is very positive about their own school. A lot of Korean employers put the most importance on hiring a teacher on that teacher’s attitude rather than his/her qualifications.

My Interview Did Not Go Well Even if your interview did not go well, do not be disappointed. View it as practice and you could do better on your next interview. Ask the recruiter or interviewer directly what your weakest points were during the interview, and get their opinion.

Enjoy your interview and best luck to you guys !!

Conduct the phone interview (or face-to-face) with an attitude of moderated excitement, enthusiasm and confidence. You should pleasantly project the feeling that you are exactly the person who they are looking for. You should keep in mind that you are applying for a TEACHING job. If a teacher does not talk a lot, is very calm and silent and shows no interest in teaching, it may be very awkward to communicate with that person, and what kind of director or principal wants to hire staff like that?
If you have questions about the teaching job itself, do not be afraid to ask. Questions about Korea’s curriculum, materials you could use, your timetable could also be posed to the interviewer.

3) After interviews..

Did you get the job offer from the school after your interview? Then it is time to search for more information about the school, your contract, the location, your housing type, etc. and make a decision for the final step.

Make sure to politely ask any questions to the school that hired you, not demanding all details at once. Westerners are a lot better at being punctual, strict on detailed information, and planning in advance than Korean people. Koreans are generally indecisive and expect other people to understand their rules, policies and expectations without explaining in detail.

Links:
Getting a teaching job in Korea: ATC Recent Job List Link

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