Korean Job Discussion Forums

mep3 · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: no

I'm in China now and hoping to teach at a Korean uni in the fall. I recall from last year that when uni's post ads on Dave's, they sometimes ask in the ad for original transcripts. So my question really is a logistical one: I'm probably going to need to apply for a number of jobs before I get one. Does that mean I'll need to send original transcripts off with all my applications? This could be a bit complicated as I have degrees from three different schools (B.A., Master's, PhD), and I'm in China now, so the process of ordering and receiving things will take time. Also, will U.S. uni's issue you a pile of transcripts, rather than just one or two?
I know the Korean gov. only requires a sealed bachelor's transcript for the visa issuance number. When I reply to school ads, will they initially be satisfied with scans of my transcripts, and then if they want to hire me, say something like, "Okay, we'll give you the job but we need sealed transcripts first for confirmation;" or will they require sealed transcripts (and original or certified diplomas) before they'll even Consider my application? And for all three of my degrees?

Thanks .... mep

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

They only need your BA transcripts. I'd order a huge whack of them. Include original in the applications you really, really want, or places that have already expressed an interest in you, and use photocopies for the rest saying that you'll send an original if they offer you a job.

mehamrick · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Location: South Korea

I would also keep in mind that if you're going to get a "whack of them" unless they are free they can't be older than three months from the day they were printed. I had this problem last year with immigration... I don't know if they are still as hard about it.. They rejected a lot of them made a few people scramble quite a bit trying to get new ones. And it was a pain in the arse getting one from back in the states...

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

Also, its an immigration requirement, not an individual employer's wish. I wouldn't send them to anyone until you are ready to process your visa with a school. Then send all your stuff (transcripts, diploma, etc) to your employer.
I would still order probably 3 b/c school's have been known to open them before giving them to immigration (thus invalidating them). So, just in case your employer has a dumb secretary its good to have a backup.

inverse_narcissus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Masan / the pub

I was under the impression that you only needed one. The process for me was:
1. Write to recruiter / school who've posted an ad.
2. Wait for someone to offer you a concrete job.
3. Sign contract.
4. THEN send on transcript, along with the rest of the paperwork.

One contract, one transcript. Am I alone in this?

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

You only need one. I've just heard stories of people being delayed b/c some idiot opened thier SEALED transcript and invalidated it. Best to have a backup.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:23 pm Post subject:

mep3 · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: no

Thanks very much everyone for your replies. I know the Korean gov. only requires one bachelor's transcript for the visa issuance number application. But I'm not sure what schools are going to ask for with my application for their own satisfaction that my MA and PhD are real. What's customary for the school to ask for with your application? Just the BA transcript original, or other originals too if you have higher degrees?

Also, Yu_Bum_Suk (he he) was suggesting ordering a huge "whack" of the BA transcripts. Is that because even though the gov. only requires one, every school you apply to will want to see a sealed one before they'll even consider your application? So even though the gov. only needs one, is it still necessary to order a pile of them?

Thx .... mep

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: ..

inverse_narcissus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Masan / the pub

From what I've learnt, the question of "how many transcripts?" is a moot one anyway. When you request transcripts from your uni/college, they'll send you a bunch of 'em anyway. All sealed.

formerflautist · Joined: 30 May 2006

That's not true. Mine wants to know how many I'll need and if they need to be sealed. Like everyone has said, have extra. And bring extra with you here in case you have problems with your job.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

At my uni, I have to pay for each one, so I usually only order two at a time.

mep3 · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: no

But the gist of all this is that you only really need one for the job search, because you don't need to give out an official sealed transcript with each application -- only after you get a job offer. (You can send copies with your initial job applications/responses to ads.) And maybe have one or two extras incase there is a problem with the paperwork or you have a problem with your job. Have I got that right? Thx .... mep