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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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timolein23
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
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 Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, I have some questions about the process.
1. what date do we actually have to be arrive in Korea? I'm in korea now but want to book a holiday to Australia for the month inbetween my contracts.
2. Being a British citizen if I get accepted can I get my new visa stamped at the Korean consulate in Australia? or can I get it before I leave Korea?
sorry. I'm a bit confused about this. Thanks for any help! |
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MrTPitysu
Joined: 01 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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^$@#&^*&^#@!@!!!!!!!!
My computer has been spam-blocking EPIKs site since I first started looking into all of this.
I was not aware of the FBI Background check being mandatory until now (when I looked through this thread).
Do I still have a chance to get in even though my documents might not be ready for another 3 months?!
Or should I just kill myself now? |
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omgitsmax
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| does anybody know if epik has a preferences on recommendation letters? I am not sure about one of the letters from my professor cause he hasn't contacted me back and i don't know if it will be ready by october first but I have two work related letters already ready. Any thoughts? |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| omgitsmax wrote: |
| does anybody know if epik has a preferences on recommendation letters? I am not sure about one of the letters from my professor cause he hasn't contacted me back and i don't know if it will be ready by october first but I have two work related letters already ready. Any thoughts? |
Hi there,
Your two work related reference letters should do the trick.
-Will at Footprints |
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710
Joined: 05 May 2010
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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"I have two work related letters already ready. Any thoughts?�
Are your two work related letters from different sources? I have been told that they are required to be... |
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mdickun83
Joined: 10 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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Scenario: I have the application and two letters of recommendation. I'll have the passport by the second week of October. I don't have the degree Apostilled, nor will I have the 400 bucks to get that done until probably the seventh of Oct, possibly later (I'm a car salesman, and a bad one at that; money is extremely tight right now).
I also don't have the FBI CBC forms sent in yet but I should get it sent by next week.
Do I have a decent chance of getting a job in a fairly big city through Epik or will I most likely miss the deadlines and I should be thinking Hagwon? |
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nstick13
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:07 am Post subject: |
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Will at Footprins: Maybe you can pester EPIK more about this national check stuff for Americans, because it's definitely looking like a nightmare.
Between my girlfriend and I, we've spoken with EPIK probably 4 times about the national check and how that might effect placement for Americans. We're under the impression (certainly one they give out) that an applicant is not placed until all documents are received. EPIK announced the mandatory FBI check (or general national check) just recently (9/8/2010) meaning that it could easily be December before documents are submitted in full.
It seems EPIK is well aware of the trouble this could cause, but has no plan in place to deal with it. And, as a recruiter, your only advice is "to get your docs in as soon as humanly possible".
As terrible as this sounds, where I am now is not only does it not seem worth it to apply to EPIK (unfortunately) who is also recruiting for SMOE, but I feel like I should discourage any American from applying. Or, if you do so, set your expectations low for acceptance and/or placement in metropolitan province.
As a note, I'm already in Korea working for EPIK. I'm "re-applying" because that's what one must do in order to change provinces, a fact that makes all of this even more absurd.
Lastly, I know I don't HAVE to do EPIK or SMOE, but I'd really like to. They have orientation, a great way to meet other teachers. They have a more structured support system, and it's unlikely there will be contract issues. I greatly prefer them to a hagwon.
/rant.
TIA to any who provide help. |
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beehappy86
Joined: 10 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:39 am Post subject: |
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I'm slightly worried, as I've heard that EPIK tends to hire American teachers over other nationalities (I'm English). Does anyone know the numbers of non-American teachers that were hired last year??
Thanks  |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| nstick13 wrote: |
Will at Footprins: Maybe you can pester EPIK more about this national check stuff for Americans, because it's definitely looking like a nightmare.
Between my girlfriend and I, we've spoken with EPIK probably 4 times about the national check and how that might effect placement for Americans. We're under the impression (certainly one they give out) that an applicant is not placed until all documents are received. EPIK announced the mandatory FBI check (or general national check) just recently (9/8/2010) meaning that it could easily be December before documents are submitted in full.
It seems EPIK is well aware of the trouble this could cause, but has no plan in place to deal with it. And, as a recruiter, your only advice is "to get your docs in as soon as humanly possible".
As terrible as this sounds, where I am now is not only does it not seem worth it to apply to EPIK (unfortunately) who is also recruiting for SMOE, but I feel like I should discourage any American from applying. Or, if you do so, set your expectations low for acceptance and/or placement in metropolitan province.
As a note, I'm already in Korea working for EPIK. I'm "re-applying" because that's what one must do in order to change provinces, a fact that makes all of this even more absurd.
Lastly, I know I don't HAVE to do EPIK or SMOE, but I'd really like to. They have orientation, a great way to meet other teachers. They have a more structured support system, and it's unlikely there will be contract issues. I greatly prefer them to a hagwon.
/rant.
TIA to any who provide help. |
Hi,
I'm flattered you would think that I could do that, but there isn't much I can do. It is the Korean public that pressures the rule change, because they've had two well publicized cases of alleged pedophiles teaching in the country in the last couple of years. It used to be that you didn't even need a criminal background check.
I hate to say this, but I don't think that EPIK is very concerned about discouraging applicants. Here were the numbers from the last intake. There has also been a trend for 1) people applying really early, and getting ready really early, and 2) more people applying. Assuming this trend continues, expect the numbers to be higher.
Electronic Application received: 1,733applications (Closed)
Interview passed: 1,141 applications
Required Documents Received: 896 applications
Currently being recommended to POE/MOE: 558 applicants
The February intake is, traditionally, slightly smaller than the August/September one (some MOEs/POEs only hire in August), so the number of available positions will probably be less than the 558.
If you're EPIK, and you're dealing with fewer positions, I don't think they will lose sleep if they get less than 1733 applications. If I'm the paper pusher in the EPIK office, I'm probably breathing a sigh of relief right now.
It is discouraging to Americans, but it is still pretty easy for Canadians, and nothing has changed for the Brits, Aussies, etc., who used to have the short end of the stick (rec. checks taking 40 days), but have adapted to this, so EPIK will probably still fill all of their positions without much trouble.
Sorry for the bad news. I know it is frustrating.
-Will at Footprints |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:37 am Post subject: |
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| WillTurnerinVanCity wrote: |
| omgitsmax wrote: |
| does anybody know if epik has a preferences on recommendation letters? I am not sure about one of the letters from my professor cause he hasn't contacted me back and i don't know if it will be ready by october first but I have two work related letters already ready. Any thoughts? |
Hi there,
Your two work related reference letters should do the trick.
-Will at Footprints |
Here is some reference letter help (and a shameless plug!)
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/forums/application-information/message-1446/Page-2 |
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mdickun83
Joined: 10 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Will,
Do you recruit for any hagwons or is it only EPIK? |
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omgitsmax
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey i read somewhere that you can contact your congressman and ask them to help expedite your background check. Anybody got any experience with this? |
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nstick13
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Will: I realize you're not the decision-maker. I was thinking maybe of being another lobbyist in the cause? I guess I'm hoping the more voices that bring it to EPIK's attention, the better. The more I dwell on it, the more insulting I find it. Many who are having trouble with this are already employed by this organization, and could completely lose out. How's that right?
| omgitsmax wrote: |
| Hey i read somewhere that you can contact your congressman and ask them to help expedite your background check. Anybody got any experience with this? |
max: that might actually work. I interned with a Congressman one summer, and while I didn't deal specifically with this, we did get a wide array of requests for assistance with other matters. |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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| nstick13 wrote: |
Will: I realize you're not the decision-maker. I was thinking maybe of being another lobbyist in the cause? I guess I'm hoping the more voices that bring it to EPIK's attention, the better. The more I dwell on it, the more insulting I find it. Many who are having trouble with this are already employed by this organization, and could completely lose out. How's that right?
| omgitsmax wrote: |
| Hey i read somewhere that you can contact your congressman and ask them to help expedite your background check. Anybody got any experience with this? |
max: that might actually work. I interned with a Congressman one summer, and while I didn't deal specifically with this, we did get a wide array of requests for assistance with other matters. |
Yeah I know. I'd love to be in a position to precipitate change, but we're a business, and when the market puts 100% of the power in the hands of schools, it leaves teachers (and recruiters) at their whim. |
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omgitsmax
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:21 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| max: that might actually work. I interned with a Congressman one summer, and while I didn't deal specifically with this, we did get a wide array of requests for assistance with other matters. |
I will try to call my congressman on monday morning and see what they say. I'll let you guys know how it goes |
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