Korean Job Discussion Forums

[caffeinateme]

Hi everyone,

Over the past few weeks, I've been diligently reading the posts here on Dave's, as well as doing some online research about teaching in Korea.

I'm about to graduate from university (May 2011) and have been thinking about taking a year off after getting my Bachelor's to get some "real world" experience before applying to graduate school. I am now looking into the possibility of teaching English in Korea.

After coming across many posts about discriminatory hiring practices in Korea, I felt sort of discouraged since I feel it is quite disappointing that my English may be questioned even though I was born and raised in Canada, and have lived here all my life. However, after reading some newer posts, it seems like there has been some positive changes/improvement (especially in the public school sector)?

Anyways, I was wondering what my chances are of obtaining a job through EPIK or GEPIK (I'm leaning towards EPIK for the August 2011 recruitment). I've already started collecting my letters and applied for CRC. Here is some info about me:

- Will be graduating in May 2011 from one of the top 3 universities in Canada
- Major: Honours Sociology
- GPA: 3.7
- Teaching experience: nothing related to ESL teaching; taught piano for 2 years part-time. I'm also an alumnae liaison (teaching assistant) for a summer course at my university
- Certification: currently doing an online 100-hour TESL course, will be done soon
- Reference letters: I asked 3 professors just in case, although I know I only need 2; Professors know me very well (I have research assistantships with all 3 profs)
- Asian-descent (Vietnamese); Canadian citizen
- Decent looking. Lighter skin..? Big eyes.. My great grandfather was a French man, so I've been mistaken as being half-Caucasian before.
- Past employment: bank teller, piano teacher, research assistant, undergraduate journal editor, teaching assistant

1) What are my chances of getting an entry-level public school teaching position?
2) Which is easier to obtain a job? EPIK or GEPIK?
3) Would working with a recruiter improve my chances if this is the first time applying for a job?
4) Has anyone ever worked with Joyce from KorVia? I've been speaking to her for the past few weeks.. Seems nice and responds quick to my questions, but I'm cautious...


Sorry that this post is so long. Please let me know what you think! I really appreciate it.

[tokkibunni8]

You should be fine. My only advice is send your resume out to more than one recruiter. Recruiters are just there to get you connected with the school. What happens afterwards is not their business. So, do your part in this process. Look into the schools, ask if you may contact current or past English teachers there.

Almost forgot, not sure about Epik, but Gepik is cutting a lot of jobs this year.

Good luck.

[hondaicivic]

[ttompatz]

You'll be fine BUT

With graduation in May (when do you get the actual parchment?) you will be cutting it very close for the august starts (mid term recruitment).

I would also advise applying with both EPIK and GEPIK. They are independent of each other, have similar packages and you double your chances of landing a job (especially since you will be late in the game - they start recruitment for Aug positions in late March.)

.

[caffeinateme]

Thanks for your reply! Well for EPIK, I was told by my recruiter that a notarized letter from my university verifying my graduation date would be good enough to hold me a position before I receive my actual diploma (beginning of June). I've already ordered the letter, which I should be receiving in a few days.

Really hope that's true for GEPIK as well.

[caffeinateme]

[ttompatz]

[caffeinateme]

[millyfrend]

Sounds like you'll be a great teacher. You just need to apply and make sure you have all your paperwork together. Maybe start on your FBI Background Check and get your degree apostille.

FBI background check takes about 3-5 weeks this time of year. Before it would take 6-12 weeks. So get started on that.

[dyc]

haha I think we are in the same grad class, caffeinateme! I'm in the same position as you pretty much!

[caffeinateme]

[machoman]

i'm asian too (chinese/viet) and didn't have a problem with getting in with SMOE. i went to two smoe orientations because i left for a year. the last orientation i went to in 2008 was chock full of asians. mostly korean americans/canadians.

i do have to say i did face discrimination when i tried to apply for hakwons. i would talk to a recruiter, send them everything and they sounded interested. once they got my picture, they told me they only had locations in daegu or some other far away smaller city.

[dyc]

[caffeinateme]

[millyfrend]

Did you end up finding a job yet?