Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphakennyone]

Hi,

I'm considering taking a position in an elementary school in Ilsan. It's unaffiliated with GEPIK.

The salary and benefits seem identical.

My question is is it just as reliable (on time pay, vacation, etc) as SMOE (which I've just been accepted to)? I'm only attracted to this job because at least I'll know for sure I'm in Ilsan.

Also, unlike SMOE, I suppose I can get a letter of release if things go sour?

[Rteacher]

I would think that since Ilsan is in Gyeonggi province, any public school there is controlled by the Gyeonggi Educational Office ministry - the same governmental agency that runs the GEPIC recruitment program - so employment terms would be similar.

As to whether Gyeonggi province would be as reliable as the Seoul government regarding pay, etc., there doesn't figure to be much difference although I think the economy has taken a bigger hit (and is expected to recover more slowly) in Gyeonggi than in Seoul - and they're looking to reduce costs.

[alphakennyone]

OK, so it is the same as GEPIK, just not recruited through GEPIK?

I'm finding it hard to understand why this school wouldn't have GEPIK placements like all the others..but I'm happy to apply with them as it doesn't involve any "luck of the draw" placements.

[climber159]

If you sign with this school you will be signing a GEPIK contract and will be bound by all the restraints as the other GEPIK teachers are. But you're right; you do have the advantage of meeting the people you will be working with before signing the contract. Use this time wisely and check out the apartment before signing, go over vacation times, and get in writing when and how long the summer/winter camps will be. Good luck.

[alphakennyone]

Yeah I'd love to check out the apartment and scribble things on the contract, but unfortunately I'm not in Korea.

[climber159]

Then have them send you a photo or two of the apartment. Especially with GEPIK, airconditioning isn't a given but the heat and humidity are. Even if you're not in Korea, you still have the opportunity to tweak things in the contract and with your apartment.

[Misera]

I'm planning on leaving in August so I offered to help with finding a replacement to find a better fit than just a person the recruiting agency dumps in their laps. My handler declined and said that the school has a policy to use one of the approved recruiting agencies listed in the GEPIK handout. I didn't really understand why besides that maybe they had some agreement (recruiting fees) but that wasn't the case either b/c I ended up telling them which on the list to use. I recently found out through a friend's coteacher why some schools insisted on using the approved recruiting agencies instead of hiring on their own. She said that if anything happens (teacher pulls a runner, becomes bad.. something..) then GEPIK would not do anything to help the school. It would be the school's problem. It's more to the school's advantage to use a recruiter instead of hiring on their own, than any real matter to you. You'll still be under a GEPIK contract and probably have to go to the GEPIK stuff, just you'll probably be able to discuss certain terms before signing the contract and actually having the opportunity to talk to the school before getting to Korea. You can't scribble on the contract like as if you're there and negotiating real time, but if you are in direct contact with them, you'll be able to tell them or request changes in the contract before signing.

[Johnny_Bravo]

[alphakennyone]

All good advice. I will try to contact the FT and make sure the apartment has AC.

Thanks folks.