Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EmGen]

I'm about to finish my contract at a Hagwon in October. I'm looking to get a Public School teaching job in Seoul after this. My question is, what is the best way to do this? I applied to the EPIK Program, but does this program include Seoul? I also, applied to GEPIK but have not heard back yet. Also, when are the start dates? I saw March as a start date, but that's quite a while after my contract ends. Is there any way to start earlier, like in January or something? Is there anyway to work at a public school in Seoul through something other than EPIK/GEPIK?

Thanks, and sorry for all the questions, I'm not too aware of the processes for public schools

[lalartu]

hey,

from my experience public schools are a gamble.

most of them start in sept or mar, so you're out of luck there

they are a very picky bunch also.
as I have learned, they only take creme de la creme and usually want topping on top of that too.

your chances of getting an epik job will improve dramatically if you have more hagwon experience (2+years), if you have tesol/celta (big bonus here), if you have BA in english/educ (very big bonus) and if you look really really korean friendly (big eyes, cute face, tattoes are a big no no, piercings too).

it's a sad reality, but getting a job in a public school is a mixture of dumb luck, good paperwork and good looks.

as for how to apply, recruiters are your best bet. I applied through the official source a few months back and didnt get anything because apparently they had so many applications that they decided to cancel all of them...go figure.

also, knowing a friend at a public school who's leaving soon is by far the best way of getting an epik job I heard. other than that....good luck i guess.

I was in the same situation a few times and ended up going for a good hagwon instead (less stress, better pay)

[fugitive chicken]

I think SMOE is for public school in the city of Seoul and GEPIK is for the outlying cities surrounding Seoul in the Gyeonggi province. EPIK is everywhere else.

I am working through GEPIK. Generally it starts in Sept. or March. In January students are on vacation, so there is little luck hiring there. There are exceptions though; like a teacher leaves early or you were already hired but some paperwork fell through.

Chances are you won't find a job right after your contract ends in October if you're looking for public school jobs.

And as for lalartu, I pretty much completely disagree with him. I've been in the public school system for 2 years now, and despite the fact you would get better pay at a hogwan job, it is generally less of a gamble than hogwans because most public schools stick to the contract due to having government higher-ups you can appeal to if your school tries to break your contract. I have numbers I can call for GEPIK if something happens. Whereas in a hogwan situation, you are pretty much screwed.

However, recruiters are a good idea. Most public schools hire exclusively through recruiters. I got my job with Korvia. They helped me out through the entire process.

As for stress...other than having large class sizes and disobedient students, it's not that stressful. I have more than enough prep/desk warming time and have a Korean co-teacher to help me whenever I need it (although getting a good co-teacher can also be hit or miss)

Also more vacation and sick days than my hogwan friends!
Ithink lolartu is just jealous.

[wiganer]

[bbud656]

I would just keep an eye open for schools hiring when a teacher decides to drop out. Go on craigslist seoul and there are a ton right now. If you aren't eligible for a new job around the end of aug or beginning of march you might have to get lucky and hope someone leaves during the middle of the school year.