Korean Job Discussion Forums

tanklor1 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006

I may have a web cam interview with the Montreal Korean Consulate coming up. Anyone know wha I should expect?

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

oh god.... i had my interview at the Montreal consulate back in February, right before i came. i don't know if you'll get the same guy... but he was tough. i had the interview with my boyfriend (who came to teach as well), so maybe that's why.

it lasted about 30 minutes... he asked us why we wanted to go there, you know, the usual things. what do we know/like about korean culture. then what is our opinion about the history (yes) and political situation in korea. and are we aware and concerned that n. korea might attack at any time. what do our parents think about us being in korea for a year. are they worried.

all this in a thick, thick korean accent, it was difficult to understand.

but, he seemed happy, just smile a lot and nod a lot. they like when people are just friendly. our visa was already ready when we got out of his office, so i dont think he would have denied us.

don't worry too much, maybe you'll get a different guy.

tanklor1 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

i left the interview room, and the lady at the front desk told me it was almost ready, she just had to print it out (or stick it) on my passport. it was ready the next day.

then i left for korea the very next day!

mike123_ca · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

Is the consulate still in the PVM building?

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

Yes, indeed.

1 Place Ville Marie, on the 20th floor I think. Pretty nice looking offices they have there. Thank goodness I lived right by it, I went quite a few times.

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

No, but almost ^^

He asked us if we were planning on getting married, it was quite uncomfortable for a moment.

tanklor1 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006

ckub · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul

I'm having my interview next week, and I've been concerned a bit as I have a French accent. I'm not quite sure if you guys have one or not, but I was wondering if you would have any feedback regarding this. I will be having my interview in Toronto (not Montreal). Should I be worried?

tanklor1 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006

ckub · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul

That already helps! I'll do a lot of reading over the long weekend! Smiling and breathing, I'll keep this in mind.

Ciccone_youth, I've seen elsewhere that you are French... comment s'est pass� ton entrevue? I can't PM anyone yet...

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

oh right-- i have an obvious French accent too, which made me so nervous because they want English to be your mother tongue.

obviously the Korean consul guy did not notice at all. he asked about my resume, though- he saw i went to French elementary + high school, but i just told him that i was raised in both French and English, which is true. My mom is French and dad English, and what actually mattered was my Bachelor's degree (English university) He seemed to like that I was fluent in more than one language....

so don't sweat it too much, the guy who will interview you will be Korean and won't notice at all.

** just don't mention that French is your mother tongue, if it's the case.

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Typical questions Koreans ask foreigners:

1. Do you like Kimchi?
2. Can you eat Kimchi?
3. How is your condition?
4. What is your major?
5. Which university did you go?
6. Do you know Hangul?
7. Can you speak Korean?
8. Do you have any Korean friends?
9. Do you like soju?

as well as

10. Can you teach me English-ee?

Then they are amazed that foreigners can eat kimchi, speak a little Korean, and drink soju. Offer a small present for the interviewer (such as gimbap from the local Korean town you live near) and that would keep him happy.

Also expect really difficult questions such as:

1. Are you homosexual?
2. Do you like to sexually abuse children?
3. Would you sleep with a Korean?
4. Would you teach private students?
5. Would you make any Korean lose face?

Just say no to the second questions and you shall be fine. Good luck with the sparkling interview and let us know what they really asked.

atyourcommand · Joined: 31 Dec 2007

Webcam interview for Consulate in Montreal? That's my biggest "con" in the pro/con list of should I teach in Korea...the consulate interview in Montreal. I'm from New Brunswick which means it's a 14 hour drive to the consulate both there and back, or bus/train/fly there and stay the night. All of which costs a lot of money...and without the promise of a job. I know that teaching abroad isn't ALL about teaching, and I do have a lot of teaching, children & traveling, but a large reason that I'm looking to teach in Korea and not China or Japan is because of the financial benefit of the country.

But if there's a possibility of having a web-interview, that would be great. I was told by a couple of people that the Montreal consulate wouldn't do web-interviews! Yeah! Post updates of how it went.