Korean Job Discussion Forums

sdsherman · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Location: Texas

Hey guys,

I found out on June 17th that I passed my interview with SMOE. I mailed my final documents (apostilles, signed contract, etc) and they were received on July 4th. The recruiter said that my documents were perfect and that after ten days SMOE would send me my approval package. Right now, I am just waiting, and feeling rather anxious. My questions is:

If I passed the interview and signed the contract, and my recruiter says that they will send me the package, does that mean that I definitely have a job with SMOE? I know that they are more in demand as a company. Also, the recruiter said to wait to buy the plane ticket after I have my visa, so that makes me think it's not 100% guaranteed.

I'd really like to know for sure because as of now, I feel completely in limbo... unsure of whether to go ahead and give a notice to my current job... unsure of whether to buy the plane ticket... and it's getting pretty close to August.

Any advice you guys have would be helpful. Laughing

sdsherman · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Location: Texas

Oh and P.S.... the recruiter I am working with doesn't seem to understand complicated questions since she doesn't speak English too well... and I'm told to never trust a recruiter 100%, which is why I'm asking you guys. Smile

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Expect the unexpected in Korea.

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

Hey,

I started in August of 2007, and bought my ticket before I had my visa. I was told to do that, though. The thing is, I didn't get my visa until the day before I departed to Seoul.

It's getting quite close to the deadline for you, and tickets will be insanely expensive. Why not try and explain that to your recruiter? The thing is, she or he may not be able to tell you how long it will take at the embassy/consulate. She or he is telling you to wait in case there is some sort of problem and your visa isn't approved.

Does your employer know of your intentions to resign? If not, you may want to let them know and be honest about your situation, given that you don't really know when you'll be done. Of course, this depends on what your occupation is, and how well you get on with your employer/

sdsherman · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Location: Texas

sdsherman · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Location: Texas

Prideofidaho:

That's exactly what I'm worried about... would there be any reason my visa would not get approved? Is there any chance that, once I've mailed my documents, I won't get a job after all? I'd really like to buy my ticket now Smile

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

Have you been convicted of a crime?

Let your recruiter know that others have purchased air tickets in advance of getting their visas. Might be an idea to make sure you get a refundable ticket?

sdsherman · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Location: Texas

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

Oh, I see. My own instinct is telling you not to worry, that the very fact that you have signed the contract means you're good to go, but I don't feel right telling you that in case some crazy thing happens.

Might be better to just wait it out. Stuff here in Korea is always last minute, so if you feel your recruiter isn't as alarmed as you are with the last-minute-ness, don't worry.

Can you reserve a flight and pay for it later?

sdsherman · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Location: Texas

'm not sure... how would I do that?

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

call the airlines and ask Laughing

Good luck!

Jessie41 · Joined: 14 Dec 2007

I would wait at least until you know they issued your notice of appointment. It is at that point you know for sure you have a job. I was advised on Monday that they sent my package Fed Ex and was given a tracking number. I got it the next day and bought my ticket before I applied for my visa, because the prices are so low right now.

Unless, of course, you can buy a ticket that is refundable, or sometimes for a fee you can cancel your ticket and use that money towards another ticket at a later time, to a different place if you want.

jennzy · Joined: 12 Jan 2009

i'm sorry you're still waiting!
my recruiter always told me not to book my ticket until i recieve my notice of appointment.

i had the interview on may 3rd and heard back on may5th from my recruiter with my offer. then i had to get my documents ready. i was struggling to get my police check with vss and my recruiter told me to wait because the korean government is changing the law so canadians only require regular police check without the vss. then a month went by. in june i got the ok to go get the regular police check (which took forever!!!)

once i had all my documents in, on july 2nd i sent in all my documents via fed ex express. they got it, and on july 5th my recruiter told me that they will be sending the contracts & my letter of appointment via fed ex and i recieved it on the 8th.

i've heard few things about this whole sending of the notice. apparently even though you get offered a position after your interview, smoe offers teaching positions to 20% more than they require because few will drop out or what not. and you're not fully hired until you recieve your notice of appointment. i heard that they might not even send you your notice of appointment.

someone i know was supposed to have an interview with smoe last week but they never called her :S

Rory_Calhoun27 · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

Kikomom · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

Do you know the date you are to be there?

Do what Idaho said and try calling the airlines to ask about reserving a flight now then buying your ticken when your dates are firmed up. I'm sure they'll understand about waiting for your visa.

Another thing you might want to check into is Expedia. I saw an ad on TV yesterday that I seem to recall being flexible about refunds and changing flights, etc. (wasn't really paying that close attention). You can call them and ask about their policy.

Definitely check around with different airlines and travel agents to get your best price.