Korean Job Discussion Forums

[katbrady]

Figured I start a topic for others going through the same process as I....

Using Korvia.. so far so good. Excellent communication!
Planning to be in Busan.
Sent out my FBI check the first week of September... hoping it doesn't take forever.

I wonder though, if the spring semester has the same amount of jobs available as the fall one? I'm going to be pretty bummed if I don't get Busan!!

[Ribena]

I think Busan would be difficult to get, the number of spots last year weren't that high compared to the number of people would would probably put it down as their first choice. I've put Busan down as my first choice but I don't know what my chances are.

[Tyshine]

I am in the same boat as you. I sent my FBI check the same week, am using Korvia, and put my first choice as Busan. I did a background check before (I was originally planning on going earlier), and it took forever.

I wont be that bummed if I do not get Busan. Its just my preference.

[katbrady]

My recruiter said that I would probably get Busan so I am hoping she's right! She said it just depended on if my documents didn't take forever.
I guess most want Seoul, so hopefully it makes the other cities a lot less competitive.

I'm also hoping that this time of year is kind of a off-season for the FBI.
Tyshine- what time of year did you get your FBI check last time?
I know they get a lot of requests in general during the summer... I was looking at post from people trying to get theirs this time last year and they said it was only taking 7-9 weeks...

[Tyshine]

[Ribena]

[katbrady]

I listed elementary - middle school as my preference.

Ribena- are you talking about spring semester 2011 job stats?
i couldn't find any for this coming semester.
i saw epik's list for fall 2011. it said something like they had 300 jobs for seoul and around 100 for most of the other cities.
i also couldn't find a stat for how many people apply every year.. im curious!

[Ribena]

[enj0i]

Sent my prints to the FBI a week ago. I'm hoping to start TaLK in February. I requested Busan or Jeju. Anyone have experience in Jeju? Cool place to be or no? And does anyone know why TaLK doesn't teach in Seoul but Epik does?

[teatoast]

Hey guys,

I'm in the same situation but applying from the UK through ESLstarter...so far so good I think, just sent off my documents to be apostilled and apparently will have an interview early-mid October.

I put Busan as my first choice too, not too fussed whether or not I get it though as it seems really popular!

I've heard a lot of things about people from the UK being not hired, anyone know about this? It'd make sense for the recruiters to prefer American teachers but hopefully they'll make a few exceptions per year!

[Ribena]

[teatoast]

Who knows, guess we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.

I haven't heard much about the new application forms, my recruiter mentioned it was changing but implied that it wasn't changing too dramatically...I doubt they'd cut out British applicants altogether but I suppose we'll have to wait and see for that too!

Do you/anyone else have a contingency plan if you don't get onto the EPIK scheme?

[roguefishfood]

I'll join the fray -- Busan is my first pick too but I'm not married to it. Anything nice and urban, frankly, would suit me fine, though even the boonies are ok as long as it's pretty (like Jeju)

I'm planning to apply direct. Actually starting to get impatient about when they'll put the new app on the website. Anyone see it yet? I haven't checked today but yesterday it wasn't there. I already have most of my documents prepped. I'm so nervous!!! I've actually been through this once -- they were ready to accept me last time but my documents took too long to process and I lost out. The coordinator I spoke to basically said it's not a problem if I try again.

If anyone HAS it now (say through a recruiter) and doesn't mind being a little charitable, I'd love to hear it. I know we're sort of in competition but... :3

Best of luck to everyone, seriously. Hopefully we'll all see each other! I'll be following this thread for sure.

[teatoast]

No sign of it yet through ESlstarter, and it sounds like Footprints haven't made it available either...my guess is that you'd be the first to know if you're applying directly!

[enj0i]