Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tjmauermann]

I recently resigned my contract and now a more lucrative job has come my way. I am wondering what is the best way to obtain a Letter or Release? I know that I will be burning many bridges by doing this, but I want to make it as painless as possible and save as much face for everyone involved.


Any ideas? Suggestions?


The reason I want to move on is that I am no longer having any fun teaching at my current school and the discipline has become non existent. I spend more teaching time on disruptive students than I do the lesson. My motivation has left me.

[Malislamusrex]

This is how I got a letter of release, but if you don't have a good relationship with your co workers especially principal it will be difficult to get one.

Step.1 - Do a good job at your school and have something they want, for instance I have written all the school's curriculum and all the lessons they could ever need. I keep it saved at home and the head of the English department would appreciate it when I left.

Step 2 - tell your school you would like to go for an Interview and give them a reason why, they might be able to help.

Step 3 - If you get the job, ask your co teacher to give the message to the principal.

Step 4 - wait - he may agree he may say no.

Step 5 - have someone from your admin department contact your new employers admin department and get a letter of release.

[SeoulNate]

You do not need one depending on your ARC date. If you have time left on your visa when you finish your current contract you can transfer to a new school without the need for a LOR.

If not, then the above steps will help you, but I would have a new set of documents prepared just in case since they do not have to give you a LOR.

[tjmauermann]

I appreciate the advice. My (possible) job sounds like I have it, as my friend is hooking me up with the position.

I was thinking of asking for the LoR and then leaving the school at the end of the summer while the kids are still on break. Which would also allow them to find a new NET. And I would teach until the end of the semester.

I have quite a bit of time on my ARC left as I just resigned a few months ago.

I have a good relationship with the school, but it will probably go south when I drop this on them.

Any other options for me to consider? I just want to do this right or at least as best as I can.

[Skippy]

Your resigning means nothing. It is another contract. You are trying to break your contract. So your choices are

1) Give notice - which can be from a month to 2 months. Tell them your quitting. Leave country and start process again. This can go quickly if you have your paperwork ready and done. But giving notice can just alienate a school and the old you can't quit becomes your fired and o not even think of asking for your plane ticket and we want you out of the apartment now, etc.

2) Leave, turn in ARC card and start again. This one you have to get the paperwork down again which can take months to get together. It might also bite you on the rump a little - as you might get listed as running or quitting. Immigration might care a bit and refuse you. But odds are slim.

Which you want to do

3) Letter of release - this is tricky. There is very rarely anything to compel a school to give you one. Now have you tried asking! Bite the bullet tell them you have a better offer. Maybe they will take your delay of time to find a new teacher with grace but as above they can turn down right nasty if they want to. Their comes the time when you just have to do it

You say you have a good relationship well then talk to them. Still be prepared plan for getting a LoR and plan for not getting one.

Next off, how does the other school want to proceed. I mean are the urgent do they need someone now now now. Or are they waiting till you are ready. What is the time frame? If they can wait why not just get your paperwork ready and submit.

Also, how sure of a thing is this new job. Really see how serious they are. You can find yourself doubly screwed as you quit your job get LoR, school you left bad mouths you to new school, new school believes stuff, decides to not sign you and now you have no job, and in a few days you have to leave the country. Get details and assurances.

Has this other possible new school dealt with similar situation before. You would be amazed how many schools and that have no idea on the actual paperwork and laws and processes needed. They might be saying yes now but when you tell them that the LoR was not possible and they need to wait for your paperwork. They go ok but then asking next how long of a wait and then refusing you because they find out it might be 2 months or a month which might be too long.

More later - Good Luck.

[tjmauermann]

You are hitting the nail on the head.

Except this is a corporate job with corporate dollars. My friend already works there and has an in with HR. I don't want to do the LoR until everything is good to go and then let them know. However, I don't want to leave them in the wind either.

I know that they are going to be angry regarding me leaving as they really like me but I can't let the opportunity pass me by. I would prefer to leave on amicable terms.

I know that as soon as I let the cat out of the bag things are going to get very nasty and they will do everything in their power to make things difficult for me until I leave.

Really don't want to start the process over again. I guess I can if I have to but that is the last thing I want to do.

I figured that when I take my summer vacation back home as a consolation I would not ask for reimbursement since I was leaving and a plane ticket isn't that much of a loss for me in the long run. I can bite that bullet as long as it scores points with the old employer and makes the transition smoother.

I really appreciate all the advice coming my way. It helps with my decision and time and other things I have not considered before.

[Skippy]

You are in the classic damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. If you feel that the school will be nasty then prepare quicker and plan as I said for NOT getting the LOR

You can try and be nice and sweeten the pot and wait and help find a new teacher it could really help the school and they might be forgiving in the end but also it could so easily flip in a minute. You think the accept things and will give you the LoR but bam just as you are just about out the door they refuse and then make allegations.

Remember it will in the end not matter if you gave them a year was a great teacher and you quit legally. Anything in the past is the past. What you can do for them now is more important and if you are quitting that is a slap in the face now. If you are going to help get the LoR first then help find teacher, stay a little longer, etc.

[SeoulNate]

[tjmauermann]

Can you tell me more about the Japan visa run? I kinda figured this is what was going to happen if I hit a brick wall in the LoR request. What documents do I need?

I assume that I quit and give up my ARC at the airport on my way to Japan and then what? Show up with my new contract in hand and what other documents do I need? Will they have me on record with all my other documents that I turned into immigration a few months ago? Or do I need to do all of that stuff again?

Where in Japan do I go in order to get my new visa and ARC?


Thanks again for all the advice, it is greatly appreciated.

[SeoulNate]

Well, right now Kimmi is apparently saying that you can reuse the documents that they already have for a new Visa as long as they were federal level CBC and an apostilled degree.

HOWEVER, and this is a big however, noone that I know of has accomplished this and you might very well get screwed when Kimmi tells you that you need the documents. I would not rely on this until a few documented cases are out there.


At any rate, you will most likely need your CBC and appostiled degree again to get a new visa.

Steps:

1. Obtain new CBC and other documents
2. Get a new job secured
3. Leave country
4. Enter country on a tourist visa
5. Get new visa confirmation number from new school
6. Visa run to Japan to get your new E-2 at the consulate
7. Return on new Visa and get new ARC

[SeoulNate]

alternatively, if you have the funds, you can stay in Japan or wherever after you leave to get the visa for a week or 2 while you wait for the confirmation number.

Generally people start to work for the new school upon returning on the tourist visa. It is illegal, but if it is only done for a week or so while you wait for the confirmation number, you will be in no danger.

[soupsandwich]

[Skippy]

What do you mean corporate as in Finance or actual business like mining or trade or do you mean you will be teaching corporate people aka business people English or you are working for a corporation. Hell I work for a corporation true the company teaches children.

If you are moving away from teaching then I would not worry about a LoR because in the end your are on a different type of Visa.

Little details on the type of job you are taking?

[tjmauermann]

It is a job teaching English to Corporate employees. No children but CEOs and other business professionals. Still an E-2 class visa.

[Skippy]

Okay - yes you do need a E-2 Visa and all the required paperwork that goes with it.

Yes you do need a CRC likely even thru you are teaching adults.

Also remember it may a different class of people but this job can still come with its problems.

Still try for the LoR. Have you talked to your present boss and have you made aware the other school about your status and possible problems.