Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fat-Elvis]

surprised I couldn't find any threads on this. I have an interview with a hagwon tomorrow. What are most interviews with private schools like? I got one set up through a recruiter. These are the details they sent me:

Airfare paid: yes
Single accommodation
Distance from School: 10min
Age Group: Kindergarten and Elementary
Class Size: 10
Class Length: 40 minutes
Working Days: M - F
Schedule of Work Hours: M/W/F 9:50-7:30 , T/TH 9:50-6:00
Base hrs/week/month: 120 hrs/month
Salary: 2.1 million Won
Overtime Rate: 20,000 Won
Severance Pay: 1 Month
Vacation Days: 10 days
Sick Leave: 3 days
Health Insurance: 50%
Number of Korean Teachers: 5
Number of Foreign Teachers: 6

It's in Dongjak-gu.

I've heard these interviews are almost like you interviewing the schools. What kind of questions do they ask, though? Do they ask any semi-difficult questions like "If you had a student who did XYZ how would you handle it", "what are your strengths and weaknesses", etc?

Also, questions like "May I see photos of the apartment I'll be living in" and "May I speak to a current/former teacher".....should I ask the school during the interview or the recruiter?

[Tumtum]

They will probably ask you the questions you would expect in a teaching interview. I generally got questions like "If a student is acting out in class how would you handle the situation?", "what is your teaching style", "what are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "why do you want to teach in Korea?" They want to hear your accent and make sure that you really can speak English.

I don't think it would hurt to ask all of your questions during the interview. Don't be surprised though if the interviewer doesn't speak English very well and has trouble understanding your questions. Also, a few times when I asked questions they told me that they would send the information through the recruiter.

[Whitey Otez]

Do not forget to ask to speak to a teacher or two there, on the phone, not via e-mail or a callback basis. A lot of shady schools will try to use impostors for fear of what their teachers would say. If they let you talk to the person, your first questions should be, "Are you at liberty to speak freely and honestly? Is this conversation being monitored at your end?"
Then either phrase your questions in yes/no format, or ask for the honest, brutal truth. Also, you'll have to go with your gut on if the teacher they put you on with is a d-bag or not.

Don't be fooled into believing that the market is so tough that you have to beg for a bad academy. I've worked for all sorts, and it took me forever to figure out how to not work for loser jobs. You can get through a year if you're spiteful enough, but you won't enjoy it much.

To be fair, based on that advertised job, you're in a good spot with decent hours. You may want to ask about the school's proximity to your apartment.

Good luck!