Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Morning_Star]

So I had an interview with them yesterday and I'm nervously awaiting my results.

For those who are currently working for SMOE, are they very selective? I have no teaching experience and I'm not majoring in English or Education but those were not specific requirements.

From what I've heard, there are certain biases towards non-caucasian and gender as well. (I'm not white but my first language is English)

Any feedback would be nice!

[Otherside]

It's more competitive than the other government programmes. Generally, GEPIK and EPIK NEVER fill all their positions, yet SMOE is always over-subscribed (certain EPIK regions such as Busan are over-subscribed though).

If you don't have any experience, an English related degree or even a TEFL certificate you'll find yourself right at the bottom of the list of potential applicants. However, if you are a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, pretty North American, they'll probably let it slide. (I'm being sarcastic with the last bit, though there is probably a lot of truth to it)

[dean_burrito]

At SMOE orientation we had fairly diverse background group both by physical appearance and by experience. I'm not sure how competitive it is though. I was offered a job at the end of my interview. I interviewed in person though so I guess that is different than a phone interview.
I remember something funny about this topic from orientation though. At one of the lectures someone said to us something along the lines of, "congradulations, you have been selected for a highly competitive teaching position." The whole group laughed. Then the lady then asked "why do you laugh? You don't believe me?"

[Bibbitybop]

SMOE has become more picky in recent years, while at the same time enacting stricter measures on foreign teachers and ignoring existing problems in their program.

[Xuanzang]

There's diversity but it usually means them being sent to the fringes of Seoul. The star English model schools usually ask for young, blonde Caucasian women. I'm thinking those schools around Seodaemun and the Board of Edu office. Coincidentally..my friends who are young, blonde Caucasian women are situated in those ones.

[Morning_Star]