Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xihtug]

They're probably still interviewing at the moment, as well. I wouldn't worry about it.

[roguefishfood]

[jeremydc808]

By any chance are you with SMOE?

[roguefishfood]

[jeremydc808]

Docs sent, should be there monday!

[James89]

I must be really late in applying. I had my interview on Tuesday (Nov 27) and am still waiting to hear back (although it seemed to go well). I won't be able to send my documents off until the middle of December (still waiting for some documents) so what's the big rush I guess.

Assuming I passed the interview and send off my documents December 14th, how long should I have to wait to know if I got the job? I know we have to fly out in February and I really wanted to book the flight a couple of months in advance but it seems that won't be happening.

[Bearnana]

Was quite gutted to find out I was unsuccessful with my interview. Not sure why, as the recruitment agency told me that the EPIK coordinators do not give them a reason.

My interviewer had some really positive things to say at the end of the interview too, so I'm not sure what I done wrong. I was told that out of everyone he had interviewed, I was "by far the most knowledgeable about Korea and Korean culture" and that "despite it being 5am where you are, you were very energetic and answered all of the questions thoroughly."

There was one point in the interview, where I was informed that one of my references was a little on the short side. The interviewer asked if I could get it extended upon, to which I agreed. Honestly, I thought the very fact the I was asked to get my reference extended meant that the interview must have gone well.

I'm trying not to get too down about it. Perhaps it was my lack of experience, or my lack of North American accent.

Don't really know where do go from here. I've heard some awful things about Hagwons. But there really isn't anywhere else I'd rather go!

[moeshanks]

sorry to hear that bearnana (city hunter reference? hehe).

Honestly it could have been for any different amount of reasons. It must be hard to not know where you can improve on for future interviews but best not to worry about it. Was your interview recent? Maybe because it is so late in the process there standards have become much higher. I cant say anything about north american accent (because im canadian) but in regards to lack of teaching experience i have none and i passed my interview. Chin up n keep going and make that reference letter better.

Best of luck, if you want any specific tips, pm me!

[Bearnana]

Yeh City Hunter! (My love for Park Min Young grows every day >.>)

Yeh, I've already got my reference letter extended upon greatly. I've started applying to loads of different recruitment agencies, and it's a little daunting. There are so many! The EPIK approach is so much simpler.

Does anyone have any idea if a hagwon interview is likely to be similar to the EPIK interview?

[dragonsfiresoul]

Bearnana, I loved City Hunter too!

I totally thought Lee MinHo was older...

Sorry to hear about the interview. But there are still lots of ways to teach in South Korea besides EPIK and hagwons. For instance, GEPIK. From what I understand its a VERY similar program to EPIK, only in more rural communities and also without an orientation. But this is my first time teaching in Korea, or anywhere for that matter, and so I will refer you to the gurus and this post: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=223654

James89, everyone's timeline is different, all I can do is tell you about my experience. FYI, I applied early, but I also applied through a recruiter.

September - applied to recruiter
October 4th - Recruiter sent application to EPIK
October 18th - Interview time set
October 24th - Interview
October 25th - Interview passed!
October 29th - Received CRC back
October 30th - Sent docs
November 6th - EPIK received docs (recruiter was the lag time)
November 12th - EPIK "reviewed" docs (whatever that means)
November 29th - EPIK Confirmed position (and will send out NOA in "the next few weeks")

But this was in the beginning, so yours may be faster or slower than mine.

[James89]

Thanks for taking the time to answer dragonsfiresoul. I just got an email back an hour ago from my recruiter and I was successful with my interview.
However I'm still on the fence as to whether I'm going to continue with EPIK or not. I'd really like to, but I just don't want to send off all my documents and then find out it's too late and have to start from scratch sometime in January (and then wait for another criminal check, pay MORE money for aposilles etc.) and not arrive in Korea until even later.
I know no one can know an exact answer to this, I'm just stressing a bit as I want to wait and go through EPIK, but it will be a risk as if that falls through I'll be waiting another month or so to get started which I really can't afford to do in my situation (I'm in the process of graduating university, so will be officially unemployed come two weeks). Decisions, decisions!

[Bearnana]

[jeremydc808]

I am just awaiting my placement.

[deltaskelta]

I wonder why this thread is so dead compared to the other years? Very weird.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I applied to EPIK and I had my interview the other day. So all you people worrying about documents and timing need not worry.

I heard there were still a lot of positions open, they must be getting picky about who they are accepting. I also heard that the cutoff time to send in documents was going to be mid-january, so there is still plenty of time.

At least I hope so. My interview went well, at least I think so. We'll see what happens from here. I was wondering what the deal is with the POE's? If EPIK turns me down, can I still get the same type of job in a public school through the POE?

[moeshanks]

dragonsfiresoul - i am a little curious on this "confirmed position". Do you know your placement already?