Step 2 - Find then apply to the right jobs effectively and efficiently

Where to look

The best place to apply for any ESl jobs on daveseslcafe.com forums. Click here to get to the Korean job board. There are literally hundreds of jobs posted each day. Another good site to consider is craigslist and the link to the right category can be found here.

This may sound silly but the best way to find the right job for you is to work out what you're looking for in a job. Write out your ideal job description and keep it in mind, if you want a little help in working this out see our before you apply page. Using this ideal job as a guide apply to any and all you like the look of, don't be too picky. When emailing recruiters don't be afraid to ask to be considered for multiple jobs, but keep it under 10. You can also email recruiters telling them what you're looking for and let them do the leg work. If you do this however, you should still apply for directly for positions you like the look of. The more emails you send the more success you'll have. Don't be frustrated if your efforts don't pay off immediately, it make take a week of so for things to happen. Persevere, persevere, persevere.

​Cover letter/email 

Below are some key things to include so that schools and recruiters don't have to contact you for further information as this can take a long time with the time difference. It will also give yourself the best chance of getting the position you want. 

1. Get the title right - something like Qualified ESL Teacher
2. Introduce yourself and tell them your positive qualities.
3. A sentence on your experience and experience.
4. Tell them when your visa documents are ready and when you are ready to start.
5. Tell them where and when you've seen the positions advertised. (or if speculative what type of positions your're interested in) 
6. Let them know what times you're available for interview in KST and what number to call you on. (here's a page to help you with time differences)
7. Ask for an interview. - You don't ask you don't get!
8. Attach your CV and waist up photo in PDF format.

Recruiters and Recruiting Agencies

You will have to deal with recruiters working for recruitment agencies. While some work really hard to ensure good deals for teachers and schools some will unscrupulously work with poor schools and generally not give a damn about you needs in a job. They get paid by the schools which isn't necessarily a bad thing; however many forget that you the teachers are their business and the key to their success. 

See our dealing with recruiters guide for more info on which to trust and things to look out for when dealing with them to keep you safe.

Practical Tips

• Create a folder on your desktop called "PDF application docs" put both your CV and photo in PDF format in this so you can find it quickly when you need to attach it. PDF is best as your formatting will not corrupt but also have a copy of you CV as a word file, some schools cant work with PDF's. Click here for advice on how to convert files types.
• Include you name and the date you updated you CV on the name of the file. E.g if you name is James Fuller and you updated you CV last on the 20th of January call the file jamesfullerCV20.01.pdf this way you know which is the most up to date version and the potential employer can find the file easily.  Do the same for your photo. 
• Instead of writing out the email each time forward it on as it will also save you attaching the files again. Be careful to change the title (as it will say "Fwd: Your Title") and other relavent information (e.g. where you saw the position advertised) to make it appear original for each position.​