The Korean Job Market for Educated Foreign Married Women

So I had been active on the job hunting market since around the end of August this year and was able to find a free training for the month of September. Another Pinay dragged me along for it and I came willingly. It sounds interesting for me as it is for younger ESL learners, with free training, and possible job prospects in two to three months. It also should pay almost the same rate that I usually charge as a freelancer so I went. We both got an offer to start a few classes around after a month but none panned out well. Mine was about an hour drive to get to, twice a week and since I had no car, and it was really far plus the gas fee will not exactly offset the income. My husband refused to lend his car. End of story.

My friend's assignment was also pushed back for reasons I am not really sure. By this time, I had already looked into other things, namely hagwons. My husband had been really pushing me to find a fulltime job. It wasn't easy. I had sent my resumes to a couple of places and called a few as well. I even showed up unannounced in a nearby one to no avail. I was flat out refused. "We are not looking to hire a foreigner." I am a bit inclined to think that what they meant is "not a non-native one." I am almost getting frustrated at this point so I finally asked a Korean friend to call in for me, to get the feel of the place if the owner will be open to hiring a non-native, with no visa problem, additional accommodation, and stuff. I was told to send in a resume, and a call came through for an interview. I could have started this month but it got pushed back to next month because I still had other commitments and my documents were not really ready. I was the job seeker who just showed up without the required apostilled school papers and such. Fast forward to two weeks later, my docs are almost done and I have just to prepare myself and the household duties for me to start the fulltime job. That, on top of the other offers I got around the same time. That should keep me busy now.

Whew! Going back to the title of this entry, I got caught in the "you don't belong here" dilemma. I am an educated foreign woman who can teach ESL but is not exactly an easy hire because of my nationality. There are possible ones in the factory to do a menial job that can offer at least the same rate as an entry-level white-collar or even more due to paid overtime.

Then I get this chance at a hagwon finally that doesn't need me to be able to speak Korean but the catch is my entry-level rate will be the same as any Korean English teacher. Fair enough. I just hope that the kids' parents won't have that prejudice once they see me around. The owner was open-minded enough and wise (he gets a near-native foreign teacher for the price of a Korean one) to take me on. I just have to shine here and charm my way for a salary increase soon, in a few months. This is the first place that asked for more aside from my resume. That's the deal with an academy. They are required to file documents to the education ministry for regulatory purposes so I do understand that. I wonder about the other places I had a few stints though. Most of which are private, some NGO, and one was a semi-government funded place. I had been blessed thus far. I just hit a few rough spots here and there but I knew in my heart that there's a place for me here, somewhere out there, just waiting for me. 

I understand that one has to figure out what works and what doesn't. Find out where there's a need and how you can satisfy that need. If there isn't an obvious need, create it. Be the catalyst for such. Make a niche. It's not an easy path. I am still learning how to go about it. I am just thankful that God sends people as instruments to show me the way. I just hope that there is a more regular program for others like me who are stuck in the middle. I know I have what it takes to find that place where I am needed. Now that I had set my mind to get a more regular job, I have to make the best of this. I am excited to get started. I still like trying out new things, thankfully.