Korean Job Discussion Forums

SandyG20 · Joined: 02 Oct 2007

Many of the overseas schools are asking for scanned reference letters. Now normally in the USA - references are confidential and given out only to the perspective employer. The employee or former employee isn't given a copy. I understand it is probably easier if the school gets a scanned copy - language barriers or cost of phone calls. But it isn't the usual way of things. I asked the schools that I worked for in the USA if they could do this - and the answer so far has been no - because of legalities or whatever. However they will send a reference by mail or email if requested to do so. It means that for some jobs I don't meet the application requirements.

Steve_Rogers2008 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010

And just think of the opportunities to fake your references and write them yourself.... always turn things to your advantage.... it's the American way..... and Korean too, when it comes to fudging pay... Wink

Depths of My Soul · Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Location: In The Sun

Tell you what.

If you write my reference, I'll write yours Razz

akdk · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Location: los angeles

Try to tell your recommenders that this is a special case/ you're trying to get a foreign work visa/ etc. Tell them that the letter is not valid in Korea without their signature & that you would like a sealed copy just in case. I guess they could mail letters directly to your recruiters, but that would take FOREVER, plus I would be really uncomfortable just sending out letters and not knowing if they are getting absorbed into a black hole of recruiter disorganization.

Can you have your letters mailed to some random address that you have access to (your present employer, your friend, a PO Box...), then scan+email them yourself and keep the hard copy?

Sorry your employers are being crazy! Mine were like "Please write it yourself and we will sign." Good luck!

TravelinSig · Joined: 30 Dec 2009

Maybe someone can answer this related question. When I submitted my GEPIK application I submitted scanned copies of my reference letters. Am I going to be asked for hard copies of these letters when I arrive? One of my references has become very unprofessional in this particular situation as he has yet to provide me with the wet ink copy of the letter. I don't want to hassel him anymore if I don't have to.

SandyG20 · Joined: 02 Oct 2007

I am sending out more letters and emails this week requesting reference letters - I think it just not something usually done in the USA - employers are used to sending letters confidentially. Probably something to do with being sued and legalities.

mckinneysbelfast · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

I have just had my interview with EPIK and they seem to be being quite strict about reference letters. More so than we applied last year.

They definately need to be scanned in and emailed, and then the exact same hard copies sent over. I also had to get one of mine redone cause it wasn't quite long enough and didn't mention my suitability for teaching English in Korea specifically.

For EPIK anyway they can't be sealed. Hope this helps!

aweitzm1 · Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Location: Florida

I have a related question. I am in the process of obtaining reference letters from a former employer and current one.

I have a few questions I hope someone can answer for me as I am planning on not applying for a PS position until I do one year at a Hagwon and get my TESOL Certificate.

1. Do PS contact the person that wrote your reference letter if he or she is not located in Korea?

2. What if the person who wrote the reference letter no longer works for the company that he/she put on the letterhead?

Should I have the people I have writing my reference letters put their home contact information instead of business information?

3. How many people actually make up their own reference letter and sign it?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

Just get a co-worker to write you a letter...or write the letter yourself and then have a co-worker sign it.

aweitzm1 · Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Location: Florida

Has anyone heard of someone creating their own letterhead? The people I am using for reference letters are no longer with the company I work/worked for so I was going to type up letterhead with the company name but using their home contact information instead of the company contact information. A recruiter told me that PS WILL check the references.