Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

I thought maybe it would be nice to have a thread for all of us who are just now applying and trying to get an EPIK job for February so we can keep up with timelines, requirements, advice, things like that!

I know my recruiter submitted my application on the 1st of this month. She said I would probably find out my interview date at the beginning of this week, but no word so far. Have any of you already scheduled your interview?

Also, what cities/grade levels did you put for your preference? I did Busan, Ulsan, Daegu; high school, middle school, elementary, adult, kindergarten I believe.

Let me know how things are going for you! And feel free to post questions too.

[thoreau]

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

[meforevalv]

Hi!

I'm applying to EPIK too! Although my recruiter told me that since there's so many people applying, I probably won't know my interview date until towards the end of October. So I've just been trying to learn Korean in my free time while I wait. =]

My preferences are: Busan, Daegu, Incheon, etc.
School type: Elem, middle, training institute, high

My recruiter also told that since I want elem as my first choice, I'll probably get it since not a lot of people want elementary school & about 65% of the PS jobs are in elementary schools for EPIK.

I'm applying with a friend & she also wondered why I would want to teach elementary school kids. My answer: At least I know I'll be taller than them. =P

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

[meforevalv]

I live in Southern California. =]
Recruiter: RBI (Recruiting Busan Inc)

& yah sure for coffee! *cross fingers*

i'm trying not to get my hopes too high but i can't help but feel excited for the process to continue. hopefully we get our interview date soon~!

[blonde researcher]

The scaringly "talking up" of the "marvellous" EPIK and how you have to do everything so early is so incredible. Just to see posters like this on the board writing like giggling school children is amazing and shows how well the EPIK recruiters are creating a false competition for supposed precious positions is amazing!!

As the other poster said, there is no way you will know where you are placed [if you get accepted that is ] until mid January after all the POE have met in Seoul and selected the teachers they want.
The new EPIK form for 2010 is full of written reinforcement statements about how EPIK do not select you and how the POE make the choice and how you can get sent anywhere unmarried couples and 2 friends get no choice you may have to live 60 min from your job, etc etc.

Fact is : You will only know the city or area and school name and teaching level you are in when you are at the orientation

I hope you did not put on your application that you want to be teaching with or near your friend. That is a killer for EPIK. From the 2009 placements you will find you are provinces apart, if you even get selected.

I cant believe how so many people are falling for the 'send now ASAP of your papers' so you have a better chance. The best way have a better chance of getting in is if you have a TESOL, an English or education major and look 'white' and young and slim!

[Shofny]

Hey

So good to have a thread like this! I have been stressing over the application process. I was told I won't find out when my interview date will be until next week!

I put in my application through ESLStarter and they put my application forward on October 12nd because I had to wait for a second reference to come through. I have to send them an Apostille disclosure, certificate and copy of second reference yet, along with passport photos. But the application form, scanned refences, passport page pictures and transcript has gone through fine. I have not yet heard anything. I am waiting on my Apostille to come through, problem is I am having my covering letter to the original disclosure Apostilled, so I don't know if they will accept this - anyone able to shed light on this?

Who do EPIK normally reject? How can I prepare for the interview?

Shofny

[son of coco]

[Shofny]

[son of coco]

[cherrycoke]

I went to the EPIK orientation, it had its fair share of idiots. Many of them have zero experience in ESL or teaching, fresh out of college, unemployed and no where to go.

The one consistent theme was that the newly arrived in Korea never knew where they were working until they physically arrived at their apartment.

I'll just say this - the whole selection process for EPIK is broken. If you see some of the people that get through you will immediately understand that virtually anyone can get here and work for EPIK. If you just tell EPIK that you want to work in a medium sized city outside of Seoul you will be given the job on the spot regardless of your credentials or anything. If you have any credentials it's basically your face. You don't have to be beautiful but I didn't see any deformed faced at EPIK. It also helps a lot if you are Caucasian but you don't necessarily have to be. I saw plenty of fat people too..

[son of coco]

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

blonde researcher is a troll. If you really think I haven't done the research about this, you're sorely mistaken. It's your word against dozens of others.

Here's what I do know:

-pretty skinny blonde white American females get preferential treatment simply because that's what Koreans think of as the 'ideal' native English speaker. This does NOT mean that they will reject you!! It just means you will probably not be the first one grabbed up from a pile of names. But Shofny, because we have extra credentials, we also get preferential treatment. Don't let that jerk stress you out - I'll be level 2 (linguistics major) and you sound like you'll be 2+ or 3, am I right?

-I have read of many EPIK applicants getting joint housing with a spouse or same-city housing with a friend. Again, it's not a guarantee, and you have to be willing to be flexible, but it is not "a killer for EPIK". What a bunch of bull. If they didn't want you to do it, they wouldn't put it on the application.

-Some people are saying you will only know the city at orientation. That may be true, but that is not what EPIK or my recruiter told me, and there are a lot of people on here that knew where they were going before they left for Korea. EPIK says that you will know the city/province when you sign the contract, but you won't know what part of the area or what particular school/teaching level you will get until you get there.

[son of coco]