Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proudman]

Just curious to hear if anyone that's waiting in limbo like me has gotten any further news.

On Wednesday evening I got a call from the head of recruitment(not my recruiter) basically telling me that I need to remain patient. He told me about the potential scenario that could take place if I was not placed through the GEPIK school board.

Immediately after I hung up with him, my blackberry was pinged with an email from my recruiter with the same mass email that I've seen a number of folks on Dave's already reference.

That being said, how long should I wait and allow myself to be strung along for? I've got my F4 Visa. I really wanted to work for the public schools in Korea. But this process seems to be completely unstructured and out of control. I'm not sure who is to blame, but I can't just sit here for much longer.

I'd love to hear from any of y'all out there that have teaching experience in Korea as well. I have obviously heard more bad than good regarding teaching at a private academy, but I feel like I can't just sit on my butt doing nothing for too much longer. Do you sit and wait in limbo for another week or so before seriously considering the private academy options? Or will there truly be options with GEPIK that are offered right before the next school session starts?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Oliver]

I'm not the kind of person to wait around. I was lucky. I got a public school position through a recruiter after trying really hard.

I hate waiting and not knowing. It seems like you are left hanging with GEPIK. If I were in your position I'd be trying to find a good hagwon job in places like Bundang, Anyang or Ilsan.

Best wishes,

Oliver

[proudman]

i guess that's the million dollar question! how do you know what a good hagwon position is?

[Raquel82]

What recruiter are you working with? There was a list of open GEPIK positions sent to me a few weeks ago. That recruiter also said there are schools known as independents. These are the schools that work with GEPIK but use recruiters to find teachers (instead of having teachers be placed by GEPIK).

Rowan at ESL Planet seems to be on top of things! Give him a ring!

[email protected]
Skype: rowaneslplanet

I have the email he sent with all of the details. If you send me your email addy I will forward it to you.

[uhnothanks]

I haven't heard anything from my recruiter yet about the head office positions. The last email I received just said that there were a lot more applicants than positions. I'm planning to wait until Monday or so and after that I am going to tell the hagwon recruiters I was working with that I am looking for a position again.

[Oliver]

[Rory_Calhoun27]

[proudman]

[Rory_Calhoun27]

Sorry, words.... Just keep pestering the recruiter or staff of GEPIK re: your placement... but stay positive.... the "eager beaver" mentality...

I was placed at a GEPIK school the end of June, off the official start of a year/semester..... of course there were other reasons for that, re: the money that comes from a foreign teacher, I presume, but it is possible to find public schools off the main recruitment times.

[wylies99]

MANY GEPIK applicants will take jobs with SMOE or colleges, plus some people will chicken out at the last minute. Plus, there will be runners.

[proudman]

runners?

[Rory_Calhoun27]

Runners- those who do the midnight run to get out.....

[proudman]

do the midnight run for what? are you saying that sometimes even public school jobs are so bad that people take off without notice?

[wylies99]

Some run because they are in bad schools and others run because living overseas is more than they can handle. It happens all of the time and you never know who will run.

[wylies99]