Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ironclad80]

I'm applying to GEPIK this year after a less than enjoyable experience at my hagwon gig. I had a job lined up, had a successful interview but then they called my hagwon and the hagwon told the school I wasn't "active/energetic" with Elem students. Ironically, I don't know how they could know this since I was never even observed teaching Elementary.

Now I have another interview offer but I'm gonna assume since it's also for GEPIK they're gonna call my hagwon.

Though we had occasional disputes and they even asked me to do some dishonest things (a big reason I left), I thought I left my hagwon on good terms. It's their word against mine and they're gonna believe the hagwon over me regarding my teaching abilities.

What can I do to land another job if this continues??

[some waygug-in]

Don't give them as a reference.

[ironclad80]

should i take them off my resume? come to korea as a "newbie" i don't give them specifically as a reference but they naturally want to talk to them because they were my previous employer (and korean). also, i don't think that would work because it's a gepik position and it's on my record with the govt that i taught there. no matter what i do they're gonna take their word over mine.

[some waygug-in]

In that case all you can do is hope they see through it and hire you anyway.

Don't give up, a lot of education officials know what hagwans are all about.


If they ask you why you want to change to public school, tell them you wanted to work in a more professional environment. They like to hear that.

[ironclad80]

thanks. i have a job interview sunday night (korea monday morning). the thing is i'm sure they're gonna call the hagwon again. and "enthusiastic/energetic" is a stereotypical question, and if she answers the same way i'm done. i kinda feel trapped here...

[lifeinkorea]

[RMNC]

Get a TEFL degree and you can make up for it quickly and cheaply if need be. Basically it's just buying 1 year of "experience". That should put you on the same level, even if your old school gives you a bad rap.

[ironclad80]

[chrisinkorea2011]

Hm let me help you out with this. Im a teacher with GEPIK but i know more about it because I searched around and also made it a mission to cover all my tracks before and during my teaching time. GEPIK is harder to get into persay that SMOE or EPIK because comparing the benefits GEPIK is better. The person who said that when you start GEPIK you are at the bottom is pretty accurate on that. Depending on what your qualifications are, i can pretty much guarantee you will start out at 2.1 (level 2 or 3).
How long were you at your hagwon? most likely they will call them and see about it, because when you come to Korea companies make it a habit to keep tabs of where you are at. And i hate to say it but lots of hagwons/teachers can be spiteful just because. its really crappy but that is how it works. And they will seem super nice on the phone to make it more believable. I wish you luck.

[ironclad80]

[liveinkorea316]

Directors can ask the students and their parents about you. Probably they said those things about you, or they were elicited from the students. Either way, the Director does have some ways other than observation.

[ironclad80]

If you knew this woman you would know right away it was her and her alone. The kids loved me and if there were any parent complaints I'd hear about them from her right away. This woman is vile and bitter, I know it was her sole doing, I don't even have to speculate.

[ironclad80]

[sojusucks]

[ironclad80]