If you’ve ever searched for teaching jobs in Korea, you know how difficult it can be. Believe us, we’ve been there as teachers ourselves! With thousands of listings scattered across job boards, it’s tough to know which schools are reputable and worth your time.
That’s where Embark comes in.
We specialize in helping teachers find the right schools. By understanding your preferences, background, and goals, we find positions that align perfectly with what you want. In this guide, we’ll explain how our matching process works and share insider tips to help you land a job that truly fits you.
1. Filter Schools Based on Your Top Priorities
 
While many recruiters rush to send your resume anywhere, we take a personalized approach. We start with filtering based on the non-negotiables or top priorities when determining a position and a school.
 
5 Common Non-Negotiables:
1.    Location
Your preferred city or region is a major factor, and we do our best to match schools within your desired area—right down to the district. 
| Note: Everyone dreams of teaching in Seoul, and it’s easy to see why! But keep in mind that competitive districts like Gangnam often prefer teachers with prior experience. Newer teachers can find fantastic opportunities in the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon), where you’ll still enjoy easy commutes and diverse amenities. | 
2.    Student Age Group
We match you to the age range that best fits your teaching style and identify your strengths. 
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			 Note: English proficiency levels vary widely even within the same age group. Some programs are more academically focused, while others focus on play-based and holistic learning.  | 
		
3.    Working Hours
Your work schedule can make or break your work experience in Korea. We’ll help you find one that fits your lifestyle.
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			 Note: If you’re an early riser, morning programs are ideal. But if you prefer slow mornings, afternoon shifts might be a better fit. 
 
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4.    Salary
We advocate for fair, transparent compensation on your behalf and help negotiate your salary after your school interview.
| Note: Entry-level salaries typically start around 2.4 million KRW per month, but many schools offer higher pay depending on experience and qualifications. | 
5.    Start Date
We align your timeline so everything runs smoothly from job offer to arrival.
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			 Note: We recommend scheduling your arrival or start date to align with the beginning of Korea's school semesters, when more positions are typically available. 
 
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2. Rank Schools Based on Your Secondary Priorities
Now that we’ve narrowed down your options, we rank schools and positions according to your secondary preferences or nice-to-haves.
5 Common Nice-to-Haves:
1.    Housing or Housing Allowance
We do our best to share housing photos and details before you sign any contract, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
| Note: Most academies provide basic furnished one-room studio apartments or housing allowance, while international schools typically offer only housing allowance. | 
2.    Curriculum Style
Whether you prefer academic, holistic, play-based, or international curricula (i.e., American), we match you with schools that reflect your teaching philosophy.
| Note: If you prefer more autonomy or flexibility in teaching, independent academies tend to offer more freedom in lesson planning, whereas franchise academies usually follow a set curriculum. | 
3.    Campus Facilities
From classrooms to libraries and meeting rooms, we share facility photos to determine your day-to-day experience working at the school.
4.    Benefits
We verify whether schools provide Korea’s 4 major insurances (National Pension, Health, Employment, and Industrial Accident) and ensure you understand severance pay, airfare, and vacation policies before signing.
5.    Professional Growth/Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
We disclose if schools offer ongoing development opportunities through training and showcase teachers who’ve advanced into leadership roles. 
 
3. Present a Tailored Shortlist of Schools
After ranking schools that best fit your must-haves and nice-to-haves, we’ll present you with a curated shortlist of options to choose from. Unlike many recruiters who only share partial information (or even hide school names), we embrace transparency. You’ll always know exactly which school you’re considering, who runs it, what it values, and what your day-to-day life in the classroom will really be like.
You’ll receive detailed school profiles and job postings, including:
•    Curriculum overview and teaching approach
•    Leadership and current team 
•    Photos/videos of campus facilities
•    Clear teaching and non-teaching responsibilities
•    Real teacher testimonials from current and former teachers 
Ready to find the perfect teaching job in Korea? Send us your resume today, and we'll make sure it gets noticed. Schedule a call with us, and take the first step toward your dream teaching position in Korea.
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Embark Recruiting
As former native English teachers in Korea, we know exactly what it’s like to navigate teaching abroad. That’s why we’re committed to increasing transparency in schools and improving Korea’s ESL teaching industry. At Embark Recruiting, we provide full support to help you succeed. Our blogs offer guidance, tips, and insider knowledge for teaching in Korea.