Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

I am talking to two different recruiters for SMOE jobs. One says she can get me placed where I want because of my qualifications. Now, she "said" she spoke to SMOE about that, but of course I am taking her words with a grain of salt. Is there a chance one recruiter could do a "better" job with my application to SMOE, or does it not matter who I use?

By the way, the specific recruiters within the companies were highly recommended on this site, so I am hoping I can count on them in some shape or form.

[PRagic]

From ttompatz on another thread.

Go direct:

Seoul metropolitan office of education:
http://etis.sen.go.kr/
[email protected]

GEPIK
http://cge.ken.go.kr/contents/m_online_application_eng/main_regist.asp

EPIK
http://epik.knue.ac.kr/

[cruisemonkey]

What, exactly, do you mean by "... where I want ..."?

[MollyBloom]

Has the essay for the SMOE application changed?

On the application form it says to write about your teaching philosophy, but on the ETIS website the instructions ask that the applicant write about why they want to work for SMOE...which should I follow?

[cruisemonkey]

[Bibbitybop]

You used to be able to apply directly to SMOE, but now the ETIS website says you need to go through one of their listed recruiters.

Also, there is a myth that applying for a SMOE job through 2 different recruiters will get you disqualified for a SMOE job, but this is a myth perpetuated by the recruiters. I'm waiting for Ben Glickman to get on this thread and tell you it's true (he's a recruiter) and then ddeubel and I to refute this. Since ddeubel does training for SMOE, asked SMOE about it and is one of their best teachers, he'd be the one to listen to.

[MollyBloom]

[cruisemonkey]

[axmill]

Could you pm me the name and email of the recruiters, and which one you prefer?

Is SMOE hiring for summer?

[SirFink]

[Bibbitybop]

[DongtanTony]

I posed this question earlier today...I haven't seen a direct response to it yet. I thought I'd try you guys here.

SMOE/GEPIK/EPIK contracts----the more I look at these programs...and as one of the other posters pointed out...they are now contracting with recruiters!!

GAD-ZOOKS is all I have to say.

I can't find verified information anywhere stating that any of these programs are publicly and not privately based.

First--are your contracts based with the school district or public entity themselves...or are they through an intermediary (SMOE/GEPIK/EPIK)?

Second...are you at all concerned with your status that amounts to being the employee of a subcontractor?

Third...with the involvement of a fourth party now...Footprints (Ben's a beaver...yah...I know where you come from Ben...I also had a terrible experience with your agency on the first go-round with Korea...and we even share the same alma mater...didn't get me brownie points at all...I can only hope he's cleaned up his act since) Work N'Play...among others.........but.........with the involvement of a fourth party...you're almost a sub-contractor of a sub-contractor. Doesn't that worry any new applicants? School---agency---recruiter---employee. That's too many interested parties for me......beware when the well runs dry....you know plenty of money is changing hands on your back and sweat.

Go check out the Q&A section of the SMOE site too....first post...airfare reimbursement issues against agreed policy and contractual obligations.

Throw another cog in the wheel (i.e., recruiters)...I'm all set with public schools.

[Ben Glickman]

Regarding the S.M.O.E. hiring procedures for 2008- I am the co-owner of one of the companies contracted to provide teachers to the S.M.O.E. I just got back from Korea. While I was there I met several times with the supervisors and coordinators at the S.M.O.E. involved with hiring teachers for public schools in Seoul. The S.M.O.E. has concluded the bidding process for recruiting companies involved with recruiting teachers for the S.M.O.E. for the summer of 2008. The S.M.O.E. has selected 8 companies to recruit teachers for the S.M.O.E. for 2008. I would like to clear up a couple of common points of confusion -
- The S.M.O.E. only accepts applicants through designated recruiters. They do not accept independent applications. Unlike the EPIK program, each company contracted to supply teachers to the S.M.O.E is given a fixed number of slots to fill. Some companies fill their alloted slots earlier than others, which is why some companies will advertise S.M.O.E. positions as full, while other companies will say positions are still available. In addition there are public schools in Seoul that hire teachers independent of the S.M.O.E. This is different than the EPIK program and GEPIK. EPIK also uses outside recruiters, but it is an open competition, there are not a fixed number of slots assigned to different recruiters. GEPIK and EPIK also accept direct applications, S.M.O.E. does not.
- Although the companies have been selected, the S.M.O.E. has not started interviewing yet and some paperwork is still being prepared. The exact number of teachers that will be hired in the fall has not been fixed yet and will be determined after the S.M.O.E. finds out how many teachers re-sign.
-Location - The only guaranteed locations are if you apply to the Seoul Global High School or another position outside a regular classroom position. If you are currently living in Korea and have housing or a family in a specific part of Seoul they will do their best to accommodate you. Other than that, locations are not guaranteed to any applicants. In general the S.M.O.E. places teachers in lower income areas so they have fewer positions in the wealthier and more famous areas like Gangnam.
- Multiple applications - In August of 2007, we had applicants that were rejected because their application was received through multiple recruiters. This policy is still in effect, despite reports to the contrary. You should only apply to the S.M.O.E. through one recruiter - applying through multiple agencies does not increase your chances of getting hired with the S.M.O.E. I am sure people will point out that as a co-owner of a recruiting company affiliated with the S.M.O.E. I am not impartial, which is true. However I have seen multiple applicants get rejected for this reason, and have talked to S.M.O.E. officials about this multiple times. Do what you like, but consider yourself warned.

[MollyBloom]

But my question is...I have not emailed my SMOE application to either recruiter yet. The recruiters are Korvia and Worknplay. Any recommendation of one over the other? I am going to email Ben from above, too, to get his opinion.

Does it matter who I go through? Korvia, Worknplay, or Footprints? Are they all going to give me the same options?

[MollyBloom]

Seoul Global High School:

Can someone tell be about it? Where is it located, and is it a good school?
How are the students: behavior and level?