Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Trip]

I have a friend with an English-related M.A. and more than 2 years of teaching experience in the USA who can't get an interview with SMOE.

He's been trying for over a month and no one is getting interviews.

Is it possible that SMOE has a list of people more qualified? I know they hire people with less education and experience than my friend.

Is it possible that SMOE took the first acceptable list of applicants even if it meant ignoring later applicants with better qualifications?

Is it possible that they really are full?


For any other SMOE applicants out there, don't be too discouraged if you think you are well-qualified. You aren't the only one.

[Ruairi]

Plenty of posts on the boards stating they are currently full.

[Trip]

[bassexpander]

Not actually full.

Just between hiring seasons.

Wait around a month or two, and it will open up wide.

That's the game... tell everyone you're full to appear like they're not desperate, so people will accept low salaries later (or in the case of recruiters -- accept their crappy hagwon jobs).

[nomad-ish]

he probably just didn't send in his application early enough

[Faunaki]

Last year a friend of mine in Canada with a BEd, CELTA and a couple of years experiece couldn't get an interview with SMOE either. I have no clue as to why that was but they made a big mistake in not hiring her. I know for a fact that she would have been much better than a couple of people in my district who have pulled runners in the last month.

SMOE is such a joke.

[Trip]

[jkelly80]

SMOE is a 4 who think she's in a room full of 1s, but is actually in a room full of 3.9s.

[Ukon]

Why not go for a university position instead?

[jboney]

I got hired by SMOE for March.

I have similar qualifications as your friend (an M.S.Ed. and 2 years of teaching experience).

Only I had my paperwork in early as hell (got interviewed by SMOE on November 11th and got offered a contract a few days after that).

I don't know if it's all full or not or even how they do the hiring, that's why I made sure the I was early with my paperwork and my application.

[Trip]

[jurassic82]

I have to believe that is all about when you apply. I am currently doing my VISA process with SMOE and have less qualifications than your friend. I applied way at the end of September and had a contract by early October. Tell your friend to go through all the recruiters (Work n Play, Think Outside, etc....) and to be patient. I remember seeing Public School jobs being posted at the start of March and even part way through the semester. Best of luck.

[Jimskins]

It's probably not the best time to ask, but has anybody working in SMOE managed to successfully request a specific type of school or to work in a particular area?

I ask because I teach at a girl's high school in Daegu and am looking to move to Seoul in September as my fiance lives in Jamsil. I ONLY want to teach high school and also of course want to be placed in Southern Seoul.

I have an MA TEFL and by that stage will have two years experience. Is it unrealistic to expect to get the above?

[Xuanzang]

[esetters21]