Korean Job Discussion Forums

[earthquakez]

Looking at various job sites on the net including this one it's interesting to note that some employers just don't get it re the new E-2 visa rules. Asking for transcripts is not at all necessary following the new rules that started in September.

They're not only asking legitimately for apostilled copies of originals of degrees and apostilled original CBCs - these kind of employers are demanding transcripts which for some people from certain countries are not easy to get especially if their university education took place a number of decades ago.

The new requirements are expensive enough without trying to get applicants to pay even more money for transcripts. At some universities these take a fair bit of time to get and are expensive. It would be nice if people would wise up and tell unreasonable employers to take a short walk over a high cliff.

Don't go for those jobs so they have to only make the demands that are clearly outlined in the new regs. A case in point is a high school in Suncheon demanding them which is advertising here. I note that Suncheon is completely out of the loop of things that make it easier for foreigners to live in Korea.

I've never worked in Jeollanam Do but I do know that the unhappiest foreigners I've met in Korea worked there or similar places. No English speaking services, widespread inability of the people in govt offices and vital services to communicate with English teachers about important things that affect their lives and pockets, far away from the normality of a city like Seoul. A school in a backwater like Suncheon shouldn't be demanding extra documents - what a joke.

[jamal0000]

They probably haven't updated their website, heard of the new regulations, or understand them. It's only been a few months since the transcript requirement has been dropped. Don't sweat it man.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Pretty much all P.S jobs (according to certain P.S recruiters on here) ask for transcripts.

The Immigration requirements are only to get a E-2 visa, not to get employment.

Employment requirements can not be lower than the Immigration requirements, but it is perfectly legal to make them higher.

[Skippy]

Actually for Canadians since we do not have the appostille regs we have to get out degrees verified by the closest Korean consulate and one of the rules for getting it done is a surprise a transcript and it has be less then six months old? Why six months I really am confused about. Also I would not be surprised even with the changes that immigration and other government officials will still want transcripts. So maybe the schools and recruiters are still asking for them because they feel the will still be needed.

[Junior]

Recruiters ask for transcripts just in case immigration officials want them. The regs are not 100% clear or followed the same by every official.

[b-class rambler]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

It's one thing to require it for getting the job, but it's strange to request so much just to apply. I could see asking for these things brought to an interview, but it seems some employers require all documents in the initial application.

[lawyertood]

Strange, perhaps, and then again, perhaps not. They might be trying to weed out those candidates that cannot obtain them before wasting time on interviewing them.

There have been times that I have responded to ads by requesting additional information or clarification just to be told to send a resume. Result, job ignored. By requesting the information before spending the time to gather and send a resume and related documents, only to find out the job did not offer what I was looking for at the interview, I was trying to limit time wasted.

Perhaps these employers are trying to do the same.

[alphakennyone]

Yeah, the public schools want to make sure we meet the stringent 2.0 GPA requirement. I think they upped it to 2.3 or something. I lol'd anyway.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

There's jobs wanting a apositled copy of your degree to apply. That's crazy.

"11. Application must include the following documents:
1) A resume with attached photo
2) A certified copy of all university diplomas authenticated by the Korean Consulate or The Korean Council for University Education.
3) Official University transcripts from each university attended.
4) Copies of a passport and an alien card"

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=44694

And it must be mailed in.

[gogophoto]

[earthquakez]

Yes and that's my point. Thanks for all the replies btw.

The new E-2 visa regulations (according to a credible member of the Immigration Office I live near now) were designed to eliminate the need for transcripts and emphasise the verification of the degree. The point is to eliminate fake 'original' degrees.

Instead we get these clowns of employers making it more expensive than ever by adding the demand for transcripts 6 months old. More money as the apostillisation process is expensive, the Criminal Checks add to the cost and they are still asking for transcripts which vary with some universities in some countries charging prices that are not cheap. Transcripts are supposed to be irrelevant by the new E-2 visas.

And let's not forget those scummy recruiters demanding apostillised degrees and CBCs before they will consider lining up an interview with a school - if the applicant is so lucky with all the blocking of information the recruiters engage in.
I've notice there are a few more employers recruiting directly. Let's cheer em on. Take all that power away from the recruiters and put most of them out of business.

[jrwhite82]

I think the reason why the recruiters want those documents in hand is because of the over saturation of the market. I would like for one of the recruiters to post how long an opening typically stays on the market before it is filled.

With such a short lead time, you have to turn to the people who are ready to go ASAP. They are the recruiters best chance at filling that position. They are also the school's best chance to get a teacher in front of students quickly. If recruiters spend all their time helping teachers who aren't close to being ready, you will get your wish and they will go out of business.

I don't think it makes them scummy. They probably feel the same way you do. The schools don't want to look at candidates who don't have those documents because they don't want to wait forever. I'm sure many schools have been screwed up waiting for teachers to get their documents in order. With such an abundance of teachers, why wait when you can get someone with the documents you want AND the same qualifications immediately?

[Junior]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

It's one thing to request the document for the contract signing (which it used to be), but now it's for the application.