Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Darkray16]

So I sent in my application through a recruiter and am just waiting for the phone interview.
By the way, I am going to be asking for housing allowance instead because I will be living with my fiancee in Busan.
Does anyone have any advice for me for the application process and phone interview?

I will only be applying for Busan, I'm a newly graduated holder of a Bachelors in Italian, with a few years old Arabic and Chinese also. I will have a TESOL certificate by the time a I graduate in a month. I don't have any full time teaching experience.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

[Oreovictim]

I'm sorry that I can't help you, and I'm sure that you're busy. But could you do me a favor, please?

Since you majored in Italian, could you translate what this mafia guy says in Revenge of the Ninja? It's from :024 - :026 seconds. I can only guess that it's a swear word. I've wanted for the longest time.

Thanks!

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=eJSbNHrd4NQ

[yeremy]

I'm in EPIK but I looked at a job in Pusan. Pusan is a seaside city with a big harbor. I've heard and read that it's a moist seaside climate. Other posters have also described their housing as being a fair distance from their place of employment (hogwon and/or uni). Pusan is both hilly and has some of the most famous (not the best IMHO) beaches in Korea.

I get the EPIK housing allowance but I was married and had no trouble. You may want to play down that you are going to live with your fiance. Koreans won't have a care in the world if you're married but many still aren't all that into living together without/before being married. There was a post about "living in sin" elsewhere on Dave's recently.

You should also keep in mind that your prospective school is thinking along the lines of trying to set you up in an apartment and there is likely an allotment of furniture that was purchased either for you or for the person you are prospectively replacing. Your recruiter will probably not be able to contact with anyone prior to employment at your prospective school nor will they likely help you that much afterwards.

Finally, Pusan is a popular EPIK destination as is Gangwon province for it's very generous vacation benefits. I've heard the Pusan Education Superintendent is a former businessman. He's taking a business (carrot and stick) approach towards motivating the NET's there. Whatever you do I really suggest that you get ageeably settled as soon as you can and then put all of your attention upon your new job.

Your newly minted TESOL certificate will be helpful in guiding you in selecting materials that work but useless as far as getting you ready for the Korean public school culture and environment. If you're fortunate (read lucky) you may end up in an elementary school, but more likely you will be in a middle or high school. You can go to the www.epikforum.org to look over the teaching manuals that Gangwon put together. I'm not in Gangwon but I think they're good and easy to use. Good luck.

[yeremy]

I'm in EPIK but I looked at a job in Pusan. Pusan is a seaside city with a big harbor. I've heard and read that it's a moist seaside climate. Other posters have also described their housing as being a fair distance from their place of employment (hogwon and/or uni). Pusan is both hilly and has some of the most famous (not the best IMHO) beaches in Korea.

I get the EPIK housing allowance, but I was married and had no trouble. You may want to play down that you are going to live with your fiancee. Koreans won't have a care in the world if you're married, but many still aren't all that into living together, without/before being married. There was a post about "living in sin" elsewhere on Dave's recently.

You should also keep in mind that your prospective school is thinking along the lines of trying to set you up in an apartment, and there is likely an allotment of furniture that was purchased either for you, or for the person you are prospectively replacing. Your recruiter will probably not be able to contact anyone prior to employment at your prospective school nor will they likely help you that much afterwards.

Finally, Pusan is a popular EPIK destination, as is Gangwon province for it's very generous vacation benefits. I've heard the Pusan Education Superintendent is a former businessman. He's taking a business (carrot and stick) approach towards motivating the NET's there. Whatever you do I really suggest that you get agreeably settled as soon as you can, and then put all of your attention upon your new job.

Your newly minted TESOL certificate will be helpful in guiding you in selecting materials that work, but useless as far as getting you ready for the Korean public school culture and environment. If you're fortunate (read lucky) you may end up in an elementary school, but more likely you will be in a middle or high school. You can go to the EPIK forum on-line to look over the teaching manuals that Gangwon put together. I'm not in Gangwon but I think the materials they made and posted are good , realistic and easy to use. Good luck.

[Darkray16]

[Oreovictim]

[Darkray16]

Someone messaged me saying if I am only looking for english job in Busan I would have better chances applying at the Metropolitan Department in Busan. Is this true? If so, does anyone have their phone number, or at least have the actual name of the offices so my fiancee can help me call them?

[yeremy]

Ask your fiancee to call the Pusan Education Office and ask for the number you want. Or you could e-mail or call the EPIK office in Seoul, and I would think they could give it to you.