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Permalink Reply by Lara Tosh on April 22, 2011 at 12:14pm

Question:  Do you have a financial safety net?  ...Can you support a lifestyle (without a job for 2 - 3 months) that makes networking possible?  Remember:  events cost money to attend (if you intend to attend any), you might get a reduced membership fee for various chambers of comerce but you'll still need to pay, transportation isn't free,  neither are "business cards" (you'll need them even if you're unemployed).  Mind you most of these things aren't THAT expensive, but things add up fast when you throw in food & accommodations & housing supplies (cookware & utensils, bedroom stuff, bathroom stuff, toilet paper, laundry detergent,  etc.), access to internet -and a pay-as-you-go telephone rental, etc

Only come if your butt is independently (and abundantly) covered (ie: your survival & well-being & hopes don't depend upon the kindness or availability of others) -am not trying to scare you, just to keep certain practicalities in perspective.

Personal experience has consistently shown me that many of us tend to understimate costs.

 

Remind me:  why do you want to come to Korea? 

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Chen on April 22, 2011 at 12:21pm

Haha, okay.

 

I think i am financially independent. Have some savings and i think it will be enough for a couple of months.

 

Also, i was still deciding between several other countries as well. Maybe Japan or China. I thought of working oversea, exploring new culture and the new life style.

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Permalink Reply by Lara Tosh on April 22, 2011 at 12:40pm

GOOD! -sorry to be such a "mom" about this ^.~

...for me, it's difficult to predict how things might pan out in terms of a jobsimply because you're not a native English speaker (according to the Korean definition of the concept).  I'm also not of your ethnic background, so while I'm aware of the negative biases & stereotypes that exist here, I have not truly lived the experience of them (just like my husband will never understand the true impact of certain ethnicity-related biases wich I encounter here).

If you'd be okay with getting nothing more than an adventure (and likely meeting some interesting people) & to "check it out" in person & feel your way around here (so if anything materializes job-wise it'd be a pleasant surprise) -then go for it!  If you come with the intentions of having a first-hand, high quality intense experience of somethng different, then you'll not leave disappointed ....and it just might turn out that you never leave.

 

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Chen on April 22, 2011 at 12:52pm

Interesting, i certainly find it difficult to not be in Korea and wants to start a career there.

 

I've certainly tried applying for jobs for the past 3 months and i find it difficult to even land an interview when they know that i am not currently living in Korea.

 

I am just worried that even though i am there in Korea they will still not give me a chance since i am not a Native English speaker in the Koreans eyes, and with the basic level of fluency in my Korean language i might not even stand a chance.

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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on April 22, 2011 at 3:29pm

Bryan - Interesting question. Yes, of course. You will definitely increase your chances of success by being in Korea. Being creative and diligent in your networking and job search will help too. Unfortunately, it's still a risk since none of that a guarantee of success either.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Park on April 24, 2011 at 9:31am

Hi Bryan - You may want to also consider applying to a Korean company that is located in Singapore/Malaysia first - working at a so called branch office; and then request (after 1~2 years) to be transfered to Seoul so that you can be here physically.

 

If a Korean company (or HQ in Korea company) doesn't hire you in your home country, then it is likely that they won't hire you in Korea. In other words, it is more  probably that your edge over others is that you have local knowledge about your native country/market.

 

If you come to Korea, you'll be competing for jobs with many Korean-Americans. There is a recent big surge in supply as America's high unemployment rate which is hovering around 8.5%~9.8% (and over 15% by u6 definiition). What competitive advantage to you have over this group of individuals. If not Korean-Americans, many Korean companies who are hiring speakers of the English language will prefer to hire a white person - unless you have degree from Stanford or the likes.

 

Also, it is important to consider what type of income/salary you wish to make and quality of like you wish to pursue/enjoy? Seoul is a very expensive city - cost of living very high. In fact, a few handful of Koreans are now considering to move outside Seoul (to another city to work) since Seoul has become so expensive.

 

I agree with Steven that moving here to find a job is a risk. Consider creating have a back-up plan (fall back plan / safety net) before you get on a plane.

 

Finally, may I ask what is (your) Plan B? What will you do after 30~90 days in Korea and you still don't find work that you like?

 

       I wish you good luck in your job search..

 

Cheers - Mike

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Chen on April 24, 2011 at 1:29pm

Oh, okay. I will think about applying to some Korean base company first.

 

I was also thinking maybe i will start applying jobs in S.Korea over the internet and put a departure date or something, and telling some of the company that i will be present there in S.Korea after certain date. 

 

I know it is hard while competing with other locals Koreans in getting a job, but i am willing to give it a try. I totally agree with you and Steven about the risk involve, so i had decided that after 3 months (90days) if i do not find work i will go back to my home country and start my career there.

 

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Permalink Reply by Erik Cornelius on May 19, 2011 at 3:11pm

Bryan, you might also look at applying for jobs with Malaysian companies that are doing business in Korea. My understanding is that Berjaya, especially Berjaya Land is continuing to grow its dealings with Korea. Petronas works with the import/export arms of both LG and Samsung. AirAsia recently began flights to Korea and could probably use help promoting Malaysia as a destination.

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Permalink Reply by Lara Tosh on April 24, 2011 at 4:14pm

Great reality-check Mike! ...and excellent advice to get started in a Korean company in Malaysia first.

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Permalink Reply by Eun-Shil Park on April 24, 2011 at 5:14pm

I admire your spirit Bryan in this....its not easy what you want to do but what the heck,....nothing is easy in life you know! Personally I think advice given by Mike Park would be a excellent idea. If you can manage to get hired by a local branch office of a korean company, it would be a plus if you move after 1-2 years to Korea. You will bring an extra to them when you are finally landed for instance at their HQ in Korea itself. That -extra- would be your knowledge of your own domestic market(Malaysia). Look also specific for jobs which is requiring travelling for your boss abroad ;-)

 

Shil

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Permalink Reply by chance leland barkley on April 25, 2011 at 12:46am

If you legitimately want any kind of job with responsibilities and a career path you need to speak Korean.  I came here as an English teacher with a business background.  I thought I would come and do that for one year and look around for other opportunities.  Not so.

 

Like Mike said before, it is probably best to get a job with a Korean company or any international company that does business here and then asked to be transferred after 1-2 years of work at home.  Unless you have executive or substantial mid-management experience you will have a difficult time finding a job here without knowing Korean.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Philipp Grunwald on July 9, 2011 at 8:20pm

Good point! I always notice that when surfing the open job opportunities!

I also notice this, as this was told kinda right to my face on the last business fair I went this monday!

 

On the other hand, what if I am not willing to simply work locally anymore? I mean by that:

I know I earn less money in Korea, but more money wouldn't usually make any offer here more attractive! I mean ok if I would be accepted by one of my absolute favorite companies, maybe...
But for me it is clear, even though I'm not in the position to ask for anything, I don't want to subject my whole life and happiness under seemingly "necessities", which only arise because HR is to scared / considers it to risky to send/employ me abroad!! Also, how should I improve my Korean mostly quickly otherwise? If I go down this path, I frankly only see myself getting stuck somewhere there and at the time I'll be considered fit for a Korean position in the jobmarket, I'll be retired. ;) To put it into pictures: Yes, I like to put the carrot "Korea" in front of me, but I don't need some HR to delude me with the carrot for years, I need to go after it (proactively) myself imho!

 

Thus I hope Brian went there and tried! He can still apply to Malaysian companies from Korean, can't he? :P

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