Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wdavis2]

lol Title was a little joke but this topic isn't.

I keep hearing the scare that "just because you have been offered a position doesn't mean you will keep it if you don't get your paperwork in on time. They might revoke their offer."

I keep hearing this and maybe i have just been hearing it too much because now I'm sufficiently paranoid. I have been offered a position for this fall but I still have to get my paperwork sent in. I recieved an offer last thursday (5/20) from EPIK but now I am still running around trying to get my CBC's in order. This is where the whole moving around a lot (since age 1 has come back to haunt me. I need a CBC from California (my current state); New York; and Florida. From what I can tell these will take some time to get together...at least 2 weeks

I am kinda worried that my offer will be revoked because they say that the offer isnt "set" until i get to Korea and sign the contract.

When this came up with my recruiter she was like "that's great that you're getting your paperwork together now " so now I don't know I hope i don't loose the position. I got my first choice location and this is my first time doin the whole "getting a job abroad" thing

[sulperman]

You are getting a CBC from every state you lived in? Did EPIK tell you to do that?

[Ramen]

You're PS job isn't secured until you get your visa stamped in your passport.

[wdavis2]

[sulperman]

That is unusual. Usually you just need one state (and it generally doesn't matter if it is a state you lived in or not.) Maybe they are cracking down a bit. Or maybe your recruiter is new at the job or overly concerned about getting all the documents. Either way, they better not start doing that for all jobs- I have lived in 5 states!

[thegadfly]

I am not certain you actually need all three CBCs, but it may be better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them....

My first CBC was rejected -- it was a state-wide check (Michigan). The official my school dealt with wanted one from my hometown -- so I had a tiny, local check done...and the fellow at immigration still wasn't happy...I also had to supply a notarized letter, on official letterhead, from a sheriff's deputy that he had done my check...and those three things together were sufficient....

Legally, I think the first CBC I supplied fulfilled the criteria...practically, it doesn't hurt to have backup (you may want to send in the first CBC you get and see if that is enough, whilst waiting for the others -- it probably WILL be enough, then you can just keep the others in your pocket for 6 months, in case you decide to switch jobs...).

[sketchforsummer]

Why don't you just get the FBI check? That would be so much easier.
Also, I think I've read that Immigration prefers/is demanding national checks now, so it might be in your best interest to get the Fed one done.

[wdavis2]

I FINALLY found the EPIK website. Here was a copy of what they put in the "application documents required" section:

Applicants from the United States must submit a state level CRC unless agency unless advised by the EPIK office or their recruiting agency to submit an FBI background check. Those who have lived in lived in multiple states after the age of 18 must submit a CRC from each state they have resided in for a period of six months or longer. Only the CRC from the applicant's current state requires an apostille.

http://www.epik.go.kr/

[wdavis2]

[moosehead]

[Troglodyte]

How will they know where you have lived if you don't tell them?

Yes, it's true that schools and recruiters retract job offers. Usually it's when they find someone they like better. That's why you shouldn't send them any original documents that you can't replace, and when you order copies of documents (CRC, transcripts, etc) that you order about 3 copies so that you don't have to do it more than once if the first job offer doesn't pan out.

It's also strange that they are hiring now for a Fall job. Usually they hire for jobs starting a lot sooner. I've seen some adverts recently for August start dates but that's the absolute latest I've seen. It doesn't take them that long to get a visa issuance number. Do you specifically want to start in the Fall? There are plenty of jobs starting sooner.

[Fishead soup]

Epik is notoriouus for pulling the rug from under you. In 1999 when Gyouggi province was still under Epik at least 3 teachers working for the Yulgok teacher training centre in Anjune Myong Pyeongteck has their contracts canceled before their visa was issued. They do it in a tricky way. They say we have to change the dates on your contract then they just never return it.

When signing your contract ask if the dates are fixed. If they are fixed then they will not get a chance to grab the paper later. Also double check the dates to make sure thy make sense. Once you sign the contract they get only one copy. don't let them get their paws on all the copies.

[loyfriend]

I would say you have only been offered a job. If you can't produce the paperwork in a timely fashion, then they can withdraw it.

Think of the USA, A company can offer you a job, and you can sign a contract, but if they do a background check on you, or you don't have the paperwork that was needed for the job "special license" they can let you go.


So same for EPIK, honestly I have all paperwork in hand before applying ANYWHERE. I know I was offerd my 1st joba nd contract signed and shiped out withen 12 hours of applying in USA. Not having paperwork, could be an issue.

[Troglodyte]

All ELT jobs in Korea require the same documents.

Honest advice to all would-be applicants - get your documents together before even applying.

If you have all the documents ready, you can have a job within 1 month tops, probably much less. It only takes the employer 2 weeks to get the visa issuance number and email it to you. Once you have the visa issuance number, you go to the Korean consulate and get your visa. It shouldn't take you more than a week (could be as little as 1 day). Then the employer buys you a plane ticket and you're off.

Recruiters are always hiring for jobs that start yesterday. People here leave things to the last minute. No one hires 6 months in advance. That's why they love if you have all your documents and a previous E2 visa. It means that they can fly you out tomorrow and the day after tomorrow you start teaching. In the mean time they apply for your visa number and then send you to Japan for the E2 visa. Even if it's your first time, if your documents are in hand, you can have the whole process done within a month.

[NYC_Gal]

Unless you lived in a different state for college, you only need the one where you currently live. If uni was in a different state, you need a CRC from that state as well. Anything else is unnecessary. They have no way of knowing.

Save your time and money.