Korean Job Discussion Forums

SandyG20 · Joined: 02 Oct 2007

So Smoe and Epik is one application procedure now?

Is Gepik also part of that one application or is it separate?

When you apply to Smoe are you going to be placed in Seoul? or does this mean that they can also decide to place you rurally with Epik?

I know that last year Smoe overhired (I have read the details).

While at the same time Epik is having trouble keeping teachers (too rural, lots of schools and other issues).

So if you apply to a recruiter and want Smoe - can they then decide to place you with Epik - since it is now one application?

So you apply to say 5 recruiters - 3 accept you - but I would select one recruiter to go through - it is one application - but can the recruiter then put you in Epik instead of Smoe?

Or they tell you Smoe and then you get there and they then switch you to Epik?

I am interested in Smoe or Gepik - but not Epik - I just am not interested in living in a very rural area with possibly having to go to multiple schools.

Will the contract say SMOE? or does it say they can also put you with Epik schools?

Also is Gepik a different application?

bcjinseoul · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: Seoul, Korea

You have to apply to SMOE through EPIK and fill out some extra forms and do some more stuff, like submitting a demo lesson.

GEPIK is still seperate. Go figure.

I wouldn't be surprised if you apply to SMOE but end up with EPIK somewhere...SMOE tends to get thousands of resumes for hundreds of positions; not so much EPIK...

People are having less and less of a say these days in regards to what public school they want, unless they're already here and apply in person or through one helluva recruiter. Supply and demand, my how times have changed....

It's probably up to the government to decide who gets shoehorned into the country...almost no one wants to be there.

The best thing to do if you want SMOE is just to insist it, but be prepared to take EPIK on since its way less competitive. Better yet, forget SMOE all together and just apply to GEPIK. Make it clear if you don't get into SMOE you're going to try to get into GEPIK; many of the same big recruiters work that POE as well. GEPIK is a different application. Don't apply to all 3 at the same time; don't even apply to 2 at the same time. HOWEVER, you CAN make initial contact with as many recruiters as possible, just as long as you work with only one. Last time I looked for a job I applied to 70 recruiters and about 15 got back to me, and I narrowed it down from there. Cast your net far and wide.

Most people in EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE these days get two weeks off twice a year instead of one week off twice a year at a hogwon. Only a very lucky few at "independent" public schools get 2-3 months vacation. Personally, I'd rather work 4 hours a day at an after school program and have 2 weeks off than work 8 hours a day at a public school and get 4 weeks off. My 2 cents.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

Your post is really confusing. I'll just answer the top three questions

1. SMOE has some camps out in Gyeonggi do. I don't know how that works out, they should be with GEPIK but they're considered SMOE. SMOE will ask you before they send you out there. The pay is about 300-400 higher a month. But its still pretty rural (I have a friend that did it and regrets it)

2. SMOE / GEPIK / EPIK / TALK / JTAL are all different programs. Each with their own application. If you transfer from SMOE to GEPIK. You lose most of your experience bonuses.

3. GEPIK can be rural, it depends where in Gyeonggi-do you are. Gapyoung and places like that are rural but are connected by KTX (Train). Other parts of Gapyoung only have bus connections to Seoul. GEPIK's housing allowance is 400,000 a month. SMOE is 500,000. And EPIK you get housing allowance even if they give you an apartment

(My definition of rural is: Bus or Train connection & if they have a Mcdonalds or not)

Like another poster mentioned, EPIK & JTAL are so hard to staff. They pay much more than SMOE. If you land in non-metropolitan areas: Jeju, Busan, Daegu

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

^ What's JTAL?

kiwipenny · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Location: South Korea

If you really aren't keen on joining the program cause u might end up in the wops... just pick an area ...go direct to the school and ask to make a private contract.. negotiate......

I wasn't placed in my school in GEPIK... I found the school then came to an agreement.. even though I'm still on the GEPIK contract...

And a friend of mine knew a KT at a school in Busan and they just made a private contract .. nothing to do with EPIK...

If you have some time I'd pay a visit to some schools that you are interested in ... or ask around some koreans and see if they know someone whos knows someone... Smile

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

SandyG20 · Joined: 02 Oct 2007

I am located in the USA so won't be doing in person interviews.

Demo lesson? Hadn't heard of that requirement.

I can't even list 70 recruiters - can you list them all?

So I will apply to Gepik.

Then apply for Smoe/epik - but specify Smoe and make sure the recruiters send me the correct contract (anyone seen the new ones yet - does it say they can switch you to epik?)

Hadn't heard of Jtal either.

So is Incheon Metropolitan schools not a part ot epik, gepik or smoe?

I have seen Incheon listed with them - but also listed as a separate application.

Lex · Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Location: North East England

If you apply in time with EPIK you can get a metropolitan school. I'm with EPIK and got a school in Incheon, though that's more because I came in march rather than February, so someone had most likely dropped out and I got the place.

The way it worked with me is the recruiter actually ASKED me if I would be okay with Incheon (first it was Gwangju, but I had a great recruiter who actually hunted out a job in the area I originally wanted), and if I'd said no she would have kept looking. Though by that time I would have taken a job in a rural area anyway.

Make it very clear when you apply that you want a metropolitan area. If the recruiter is worth their salt, they'll make it happen.

kiwipenny · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Location: South Korea

I've never done a demo lesson my 6 years here... it may apply to some schools but not all for sure~ ^^

Like Incheon there are some districts that opt out of the programs.. and hire privately from their own budget... it's kinda luck of the draw....not every school gets the same budget from the govt each year... and some schools have to cut teachers due to budget cuts... my school has one NET due to low budget and we use 4 KT's....

I would also look at working at some of the private elementary/middle.. schools... sometimes you can find them advertise on daves.. or worknplay or english spectrum .. etc... there is also GANGNAM...
GNUCR .... they are their own district.. and pay by experience... pay starts at about 2.4 mill and you get 6 weeks vaca at least..... ( I worked there for 6 months.... best money but just a lil more strict than other districts as they set the example for the rest of the country)
And they sometimes pay under the table for extra work at school .. such as plays etc... and you get paid well for camps...just a lot of school politics ...I moved to gyeonngi for a more relaxed schedule with more vaca but less pay~)