If you are thinking of coming to Korea to teach, then the first step towards finding a job is to choose a recruiter. There are loads of recruiters in Korea. Some have plenty of jobs whereas others just have a few. Some are trustworthy and look out for their teachers, whereas others are less so.

While there are job boards where teaching jobs are posted, as a first-timer it is often better to contact the recruiter directly. This is because they will be able to help you through all the steps between looking for a job and actually starting a job in Korea.

 

Before you start to look for a recruiter, there are a few things that you should know.

Firstly, make contact with several different recruiters to give yourself a wide range of job offers. By looking at several recruiters, you have a better chance of finding a recruiter that you trust. Many people who just visit one recruiter assume that all recruiters are the same but this isn’t the case. While they are all businesses at the end of the day, the way they conduct business can be very different indeed. I once had a recruiter try to convince me that a job in the middle of the Chungbuk countryside was actually very near to Seoul.

When you are offered a job, check that the location matches the recruiter’s description. This is an easy way of weeding out some of the less trustworthy recruiters.

By the time you get to the stage of sending documents, you should be happy with your recruiter. Make sure that they are honest and have your interests in mind before you send any documents.

Although a lot of recruiters in Korea are run solely by Koreans, the vast majority of the recruiters mentioned in this site have native English speaking former-teachers on their staff. While Korean recruiters can obviously speak excellent English, it’s helpful to talk to somebody who has been in a similar position to you in the past. This can really help, as they will be able to answer your questions from experience rather than just listing some guidelines.

Before you apply, it is best to check that you are actually able to obtain an E-2 teaching visa. Take the quiz on ASK-ETO Recruiting’s website in order to check that you are eligible.

1. Footprints Recruting

If you want people who can relate to your situation, then you’ll definitely want to contact Footprints Recruiting. Originally founded by two English teachers almost 15 years ago, they have continued to be one of the most well-known recruting companies for teaching English in South Korea.

2. Adventure Teaching 

Adventure Teaching have positions in Korea and China, and try to make sure that prospective teachers know what they are getting themselves in for before they apply. They don’t have their positions listed on their site so you will have to contact them first, but even if you don’t use them, their website is very informative.

3. TeachESLKorea

TeachESLKorea claim that they choose the schools that they work with based on word of mouth from other teachers. They also make sure that teachers can get in contact with other teachers from the school before accepting the job offer. This is always a good thing as it helps you find out what the school is really like.

4. Dreamwords Recruiting

Some companies like Dreamworks Recruiting are small but are have native speakers as their placement consultants, which is helps make sure that nothing gets lost in translation.

5. Morgan Recruiting

The opposite end of the scale when it comes to size is Morgan Recruiting. They are one of the larger recruiters in Korea and as such have a wide variety of jobs. If you are struggling to find a position elsewhere, using a larger company can help you as they will have something that suits your needs and abilities.

6. Gone2Korea

Some recruitment consultants such as Gone2Korea show their job listings on their website. This is great if you have your documents ready and have a specific location in mind. However, if you don’t have your documents ready, then some of the current job offers may not be available to you. Don’t worry, as the company will likely have similar positions in similar areas later in the year.

For first timers, Gone2Korea also helps applicants prepare for their interview. This can be hugely helpful as the answers that you think might impress an interviewer back home can have the opposite effect in Korea. A good tip for doing well in a job interview for a teaching job is to focus on your voice, make sure that you speak slowly and clearly and you will already be halfway towards being offered the job.

7. ESLstarter

Most recruitment companies are based in North America, but ESLstarter are a UK based company. This can be really useful for Brits as the visa documents required from each nationality are slightly different. This company can help you through the visa process from a British perspective. ESLstarter also has jobs in a wide range of countries apart from Korea, so it could be a good site to visit if you are thinking about your next step after Korea.

8. KorjobCanada

Likewise KorjobCanada will be able to answer any questions from Canadians about the recruitment process. Of course both of these companies have positions for people from all the nationalities that are eligible for an E-2 visa. However,  for UK and Canadian citizens in particular they can have some useful tips and advice.

9. Say Kimchi Recruiting

Many recruiters don’t care about after-service and will leave you to sink-or-swim on your own once you are in Korea. Therefore, finding a recruiter that looks after you once you have started working is a big plus. Some recruiters such as SayKimchiRecruiting even help you obtain documents such as letters of recommendation for when you are thinking of your next position.

10. ASK-ETO Recruting

ASK-ETO Recruting was a result of an ASK Now and ETO merger. Their site helps you move through the application process by giving you five easy steps to follow and get up to speed. They also offer a chat service every Sunday to answer any questions you have about teaching English in South Korea.

Summary

Of course it is possible to look for a job on sites such as Dave’s ESL Cafe or Waygook.org, but using a recruiter in Korea can make your job hunt so much easier.

Now that you have a long list of recruiters that can help you get a job in Korea, take some time to look at each of their sites and then make contact with several of them. Remember, putting in the effort now to find people that you are comfortable working with will pay off when you actually arrive in Korea and have a great time in a job that you enjoy.

What are your favorite recruiting companies?