Korean Job Discussion Forums

[goatlord]

hello hello

im currently working in indonesia and was wanting to work in korea after i complete my contract. i finish in exactly 3 months time and would like to get the ball rolling pretty much immediately, as i want to travel up through asia towards korea in the knowledge i have a job i will be heading to. i am looking to start work in december which would give me some time to travel between jobs, but i am a little worried about not being able to be contacted while i am on the move.

the questions i would like some advice on then are - is it possible to get all the paperwork and interviews etc done in the next 3 months and by the time i leave indonesia? i have yet to receive my uni transcript, results, criminal check etc so need to do that now. can anyone give me some pointers/hints/tips about how to get the process done and dusted in as little time as possible? the process is quite daunring to me and any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

michael

[fl4mers]

I think the first thing that we would need to know is where are you from? Depending on which country you are from the procedures for getting paperwork done is slightly different.
Also, I'm assuming you haven't worked as a teacher in Korea yet? If you haven't worked on an E-2 Visa yet you will have to have an in person interview at a consulate in your home country before going to Korea, which may be difficult if you're on the road. If you apply through the government programme EPIK this interview doesn't apply, so that may be an option. However, if you choose to apply to EPIK you'll have to be quick about it because there are a lot of applicants this year and places look to be filling up quickly.

[goatlord]

hey

thanks for the reply. i am from ireland and i really REALLY dont want to be going home as i want to see asia and then start a job. if i apply to the EPIK can i still travel and arrange a job in korea for when i arrive there in december?

[fl4mers]

If you apply through EPIK the next intake would be in march 2011...they only hire twice a year for march and september You could still apply for september this year, but then that would probably interfere with your travel plans. If it helps though, you do get 4 weeks holiday and 2 weeks home leave with EPIK so you could do some travelling during the holidays if you got in...that might be an option for you to consider. If you choose to go the unofficial public school or hagwon route though, you will definitely need to go back home for the interview...

[ttompatz]

[BrenSmith]

[oldfatfarang]

*I've applied for for EPIK and Seoul jobs while living in Thailand. Believe me, applying for a job in Korea - while living in another Asian country - can be very messy, and stressful.


Because you need to get documents sent to you - and you need to send documents to EPIK/SMOE etc, you need to be based in a city, where you have access to reliable international courier, telephone, and internet services. You won't have access to these services on the road.

The EPIK application process also requires you to be available for a telephone interview - and you have to have access to a Korean Embassy that will/can process your E2 visa. (The Korean embassy in Bangkok does this.)

Also, know this, your application will most certainly not go smoothly. Korean decision making - and last minute timing - will negate your being able to just "travel on up to Korea and get a job." That won't happen because there is a very strong likelyhood of 'something being wrong' with your documents/application form.

You will have to be available everyday during the application process (can take 6 weeks). If you're not able to be contacted by email on a daily basis, then your application will likely be sidelined (unless you're a very strong candidate).

I suggest you contact the EPIK office directly, and discuss your situation with them.

Good luck. This can be done, but I think you'd best be based in an international city to do it successfully (i.e., Bangkok or Pattaya).