Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mandon't]

I'm aiming at Fall 2011 and GEPIK has the best offer, while keeping me within reach of friends in Seoul and Incheon.

GEPIK's site is bizarrely out of date, but reading ads posted here the program seems to be ongoing. I want to choose my location carefully because I need hiking opportunities and reasonably quick commute into Seoul. Gwanmyeong looks perfect for my goals!

Should I answer an ad that sounds right, or should I contact a recruiter like Korvia (reviews?) and ask them if they can find me a good spot?

Also, once I have a visa, am I bound to the agency that helped me get it? Can I entertain other offers? What if I'm about to start a job that looks okay, and I spy an ad for an amazing opportunity/location, am I SooL?

Thanks!

[Redcap]

Other people's mileage may have varied, but in my experience as an EPIK applicant, teaching location was not pre-determined prior to arrival in Korea.

Instead, teaching locations were assigned on the final day of the EPIK orientation. Not so surprisingly, this ran contrary to what my recruiter said. He told me that since I got my application in early, I would be given priority on location choice. Of course, nothing could have been farther than the truth. On the final day of the EPIK orientation, we were marched into a room one by one ( starting with those whose surnames began with the letter A), and asked where we wanted to teach. Having the misfortune of a surname beginning with a letter near the end of the alphabet, you can imagine the pickings were a bit slim by the time it was my turn. When it was finally my turn, I requested a certain location, but was told that all the vacancies in my preferred location had already been filled.

If a recruiting agency claims that they can guarantee a specific location, ask them to put it in writing, along with the proviso that they will pay your airfare back to Canada if your preferred location falls through.

You won't find any takers.

[vw08]

As far as I understand, for EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE, you have to go through a recruiter. They are the ones who will work with you to compile all of your paperwork and send it to the appropriate office in Korea.

It is not like signing up to work at a hogwon, do a bit of research online about the application process. The application process and some if the documents required are different than those required to apply for a hogwon.

Check out a few different recruiting agencies before you pick one. The way they answer your questions and the promptness of their replies will help you pick the one that is right for you.

[dyc]

[wylies99]

OP, if there is a specific location in GEPIK that you want, then insist on that location. Tell the recruiter what you want. You have some good reasons for choosing that location so don't take no for an answer. I've never dealt with EPIK so I don't know how they do things.

[mandon't]

[Redcap]

OP: You need a job offer in order to get the visa. And you will only be able to get the work visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your HOME country. So even if you decided to come over to Korea and look for work, you would still have to return to Canada in order to have your work visa processed. Bottom line, apply for the GEPIK job in Canada.

There are 2 ways to apply for the GEPIK/EPIK :

1) Via online application

2) Through a recruiter

Why don't you simply contact a Canadian based recruiting company and discuss your issues with them ? As I suggested before, if they make any claims related to guaranteeing a location, have them put it in writing.

[Illysook]

Make sure to put in an application with SMOE as well. I may not be the greatest teacher here but I think that my co-teacher is telling me the truth when she says that due to budget cuts they can only keep me until June and will not have an FT for the rest of the school year, and I'll bet that my school isn't the only one.

[mandon't]

[ttompatz]