Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Suwon23]

First off, I feel bad starting a new thread because I know there must be one just like it, but the search feature didn't work for me just now, and I didn't see any on the first couple of pages.

My contract will be over in March. I'm going back to the states for a month or two, then coming back. I want to teach in a public school, and I want to know what's the best way to go about it. My first instinct was to ask the old-timers I know, but that's a waste of time because they all got their jobs by word of mouth. The other route I guess is recruiters like GEPIK.

What's the best way to get a public school job? Which recruiters have the best reputation? What else should I be looking out for when I start my search? Are there different kinds of public school I should know about? Do public schools really equate to much more off days, as I have been told? I don't really care about the money, I just want more time.

[kakki81]

This isn't exactly a response to your question (although I would love to hear what others have to say), but a question to you.

I'm still in the states and am planning on coming to Korea to teach asap, but I'm very conflicted about public schools v. private. I was wondering how your experience was with your hagwon? I have a friend who did hagwon for a year and then public and that seemed to work well for her, I'm just having a hard time making up my mind, in part due to the longer vacation time with public schools. Any advice???

[DrOctagon]

This is going to be short and simple since I'm pressed for time. I'm sure others will give their input.

Public schools: More vacation, more days off, less teaching hours, more students (sometimes 40 a class), co-teacher (in most cases), guaranteed pay and what not, and a normal schedule (8am-4:00pm, but some principals let you leave early or during your looooong breaks). The pay is similar.

Privates: Less vacation, more teaching hours, less students, no co-teacher, shady bosses who don't always pay you on time, a schedule for weekday partiers, etc.

Sorry, this is all I can tell you for now. It's too early and class is about to start.

[Suwon23]

Pretty helpful, Doc. It sounds like publics are about 5.7 billion times better than privates, so I can only assume the competition is FIERCE. Is it possible to get a public school job? Do you know of any recruiters that are good?

[Suwon23]

OK, I guess EPIK may be the way to go. Does anybody know how long this process takes? The JET program in Japan is the closest analog in my experience, and that's more intense than becoming an astronaut. Hopefully EPIK will get your started a few weeks after your interview. Am I right?

[AussieGav]

I recently got a school job through GEPIK and the process was mostly painless. I was already in Korea though and made the switch from a hagwon to the public system. The only thing that delayed my placement was getting fresh document from Australia (transcript/police check). If i had already been in possession of those then placement would have happened within a couple of weeks.

It doesnt strike me that there is much competition here as there are far more positions than applicants so as long as you can fullfill all the criteria I think you will get a job.

Good luck and dont necessarily rush into the first position offered to you there will be many more.

[Draz]

[Suwon23]

Well, GEPIK wont work, because I refuse to work anywhere but Seoul. I don't care if the recruiter has no control over where I go, I'll go home before I let them stick me out in the boonies again.

Why do you not recommend EPIK?

[Otherside]

Unfortunatly, EPIK does not do the hiring for Seoul, SMOE does, and actually they have many more applicants than positions available, so in this case the competition is pretty tough.

Your best bet is pushing for a GEPIk position and trying to be in one of the places close to Seoul, Bundang, Anyang, Ansan, Ilsan, Suwon etc.

On the other hand, if you put your application in now, and are flexible where in Seoul you will work, I'm pretty sure you'd get in.

[Draz]

[Manticore]

[AussieGav]

[ttompatz]