Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

Hi there-

My husband and I are in Seoul studying Korean now. We'll be moving to another city (nowhere near Seoul, not in Gyeonggi-do) in late February (a specific place I need to go to do my research) and my husband wants to work in the public schools. He would consider hagwon or "unigwon" as well, but I'm worried he'll have a bad experience. Pay is less important than time off and an enjoyable experience, as I have a decent income.

I'm just getting so confused about this process and what to advise my husband to do with applications (since I've spent time in Korea I feel like I should know, but I've never taught here). I'm getting nervous looking at the thread on EPIK applications- people are starting so early! Which recruiters have people gone through to get contracts so early? We won't be free to move to the new city until mid-February.

We definitely need my husband to find a job in this specific city, or at the very least towns in the immediate vicinity of the city. And it would seem to be an advantage that he is already in the country (they don't have to provide an air ticket?), but maybe it is a disadvantage since he may have to go back to the U.S (or at least to Japan) to change his visa anyway.

Any help you can give in demystifying this process would be great. OK Recruiting was recommended to me, and Bonnie was very nice over e-mail, but said that people won't be hiring until December or January. So which is it? Should he be applying now (like all these other EPIK people seem to be doing) or sit tight until late November or December?

[andrewchon]

Public schools: you apply now and get hired in Jan/Feb.
Have your documents sorted out now. Criminal Background Check, academic transcripts, GPA, references, degree apostille, ...
You don't get to choose the school you teach with the public system, in general anyway. If you want to teach in the city of your destination, contact the school yourself.