Working Part-time In Korea
For individuals that do not have the option to work full time due to personal or legal restrictions, Korea does offer a bunch of part-time jobs.
Kind Of Part-time Jobs Available
Depending on your visa type (and in some cases nationality for example: working as a part time ESL teacher) there are a variety of jobs you can try.
Working At A Convenience Store
Working as a convenience store clerk/cashier is always a popular option. You will be responsible to maintain daily operations to keep the convenience store operating smoothly. Other responsibilities include ringing customers purchases, conducting inventory, ordering, and stocking merchandise.
Working At A Fast Food Place
Fast food is another favorite among part time workers. You will be required to serve customers.Since fast food workers work in different shifts, they are required to learn about all areas like counter, serving, kitchen etc. Depending on your shift and workload, you maybe responsible for preparing and serving the food and handle credit and currency transactions.
Working At A Bar/Cafe
Working at a bar/cafe is another fun option especially if you are a people person. If you enjoy meeting people and have an outgoing personality, becoming a bartender/ server could be the right choice for you. Bar staff/ café servers, serve drinks in places like pubs, bars and coffee shops. In this line of work, you will serve a wide variety of different people each day. To be a bartender/ server, you also need to have good communication skills.
If you want to work as a bartender or server at a cafe, you need to have a good command of Korean. Your main duties would include serving drinks to customers, collecting payment and operating the till. You will also be responsible for keeping the bar/cafe clean and well stocked, clearing and cleaning tables and the bar regularly etc.
Working At A Restaurant
Working at a restaurant is similar to working at a cafe or fast food place. Your main responsibilities include serving the customers, taking orders, ensuring that customers have a satisfying dining experience, clearing and cleaning tables and occasionally operating the till. Most restaurants in Korea are run and operated by Koreans. They serve mostly Korean food to Korean customers, therefore you need good Korean communication skills.
Working At A Supermarket
Working at a supermarket is another viable alternative. Grocery clerks are responsible for assisting customers, receiving, storing, and stocking of products etc. You must be familiar with store products. You also need to know the location in order to assist customers in locating items. In addition, you must be able to perform all duties including a cash register.
Working as a part-time English teacher/Tutor
Working part time as an ESL teacher is considered the best job out there. It offers better hours and it pays a lot more than the other part time jobs. This is perhaps the only part time job where nationality comes into play. This is a good opportunity for those individuals who are from native English speaking countries and have a Bachelors degree. However,
many places will take undergraduate students or graduate students and individuals who have a good command of English, regardless of their nationality. Depending on the school, students age group and requirements you may be asked to teach conversation classes, Business English classes, test preparation classes, writing classes, interview preparation etc.
Where to Find Part-Time Employment
There are many resources for finding part-time jobs, and it can be helpful to use more than one during your search.
The Internet: There are many websites that post part-time job openings that can be found easily.
Local Newspapers: Although many employers advertise job openings via the Internet, some employers still do post their part-time job openings in local newspapers.
Job notices outside the stores/restaurants: Local convenience stores, grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants often post part-time job openings on the front entrance of the business.
Recruitment Services:There are job placement services that help part-time job seekers to find work.
Word of Mouth: In Korea, many part-time positions are found by word-of-mouth. If you are looking for work, make sure to tell anyone and everyone you know. Someone is bound to have heard of a part-time opening at their place of employment.
Salary And Work Hours
Most part time jobs are usually classified as anything less than 40 hours. However, in Korea 40 hours or over of part time work is not unheard of. You are likely to work shifts including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Most part time workers in Korea earn a minimum hourly wage. In 2016, minimum wage in South Korea was increased to 6030 KRW/Hour from 5580 KRW/Hour in 2015.
The basic salary for part-timers teaching English in Korea is around 25,000 won to 40,000won/ hour depending on your qualifications, skills and work experience. Teaching English even part time earns big bucks. It’s highly lucrative, especially when compared to other part time jobs like working at a fast food place, supermarket, restaurants etc. that offer the minimum hourly wage.
Visa Types Eligible For Part-time Work
These part time jobs DO NOT provide visa sponsorship. The employers offering these positions, want people who are already in the country on a visa that allows them to work legally in Korea. Individuals on Temporary Employment (C-4), Labor Abroad (E-10), Working Holiday (H-1), Residency (F-2), Overseas Koreans (F-4), Permanent Residency (F-5) can work part time in Korea. D-2 and D-4 visa holders can also work part-time in Korea. In some cases, you may need additional permission or a work permit. Therefore, I recommend calling you nearest immigration office to get more information.
Pros And Cons Of Working Part-Time
The Pros
Working on a part-time schedule has many perks and provides the optimal flexibility needed by some individuals. It is a great work option for students who want to earn some money during the semesters or vacation. Part-time jobs are also great for parents with young children who want to work, but do not want to place their children in daycare centers or with babysitters.
Flexible schedule is another Plus. Available schedules for
part-time positions
can allow you to work two part-time jobs, take care of children, attend school, or have time to relax. If you’re a morning person, you may want to work only morning hours. Or, if you like to stay up late at night, evening positions are often available.
Part-time jobs are also great stepping stones for people who want to work part-time right now, and think they will want to work full-time in the future. Once your employer sees that you are a great employee, you may be offered a full-time position when you are ready to increase your hours.
The Cons
Most employers do not offer benefits such as health insurance, vacation time, and paid holidays to their part-time employees.Sometimes, employers may ask their part-time employees to work shifts they do not want. This can create problems in the workplace. Pay is another big issue with part time workers in Korea. Many employers are notorious for paying less, paying late and in a few cases not paying at all to the part time workers. In addition, since there is usually no legal contract or job security for part time employees, many employers wrongfully fire the part time workers to avoid paying them.
Tips For Working Part-time In Korea
If you decide to work part time in Korea, make sure that you negotiate working terms, conditions and your hourly pay in advance prior to starting work. Bring a Korean friend along to avoid misunderstandings and to make sure that you and your employer understand each other.
Get everything in writing. A written agreement between both parties is essential when it comes to legal action should any issues surface in the future. A written agreement will protect you. A employer is less
likely to financially or otherwise cheat an employee with a written agreement as opposed to an employee with only a verbal agreement.
So be cautious, tread carefully and happy hunting!