Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dajafu]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, nice to meet you all ~~

I have started browsing through this forum when the thought of being a teacher abroad in Korea came to my mind at the beginning of September. The EPIK program was introduced to me by my Korean tutor (I have been taking Korean lessons for two years now), but at that time I did not have much time to do any research and just apply directly to EPIK knowing that positions are given by a first-come-first-serve basis, and unfortunately was rejected by them a few days later without a chance of an interview being given.

Maybe I should tell you guys a bit of my background and the reason that I think I am being rejected. I am a Canadian citizen, been living in Canada for the past 14years, I basically completed most of my education in Canada (elementary>high school>university). I have been a part-time tutor in a tutoring center for 2 years, coached a high school sport team for 5 years, and also a full-time customer service representative at a bank for the past 1.5 years, so I have no doubt about my communication skills in regards to teaching students the materials. I have a bachelor degree in Business Administration; however, I do not have any TEFL/TESL certificates which I know will get me a higher pay job abroad if I want to be an ESL teacher.

I think the reason that I was being rejected was either: I am under-qualify (not having an education degree/formal teaching experience/TEFL or TESL certificate) or that I am actually from a Chinese background. I am a girl that immigrated from Hong Kong 14 years ago, so I speak fluent Cantonese and Mandarin as well. I am not sure if I should e-mail EPIK and ask for a reason (so I can better prepare myself if I want to apply again for the next term), but because they stated clearly in the e-mail that "...their decision is final and not eligible for appeal." I am afraid if I bug them about the reason behind it, they would put me on a blacklist or something. ('')

However, I am not yet giving up hopes on teaching abroad in Korea, and therefore I am here wondering if you all can give me some advices base on your experience or thought.

At first I tried EPIK was because my Korean teacher explained that it is a program funded by the government; therefore, it should have a good pay and at least a lower risk for me while in Korea if for example I am being treated poorly with poor teaching conditions and not having the pay cheque on time. But since I am now being turned down by them, I am considering all other opportunities. ('')

I am currently taking a TEFL course, should be completed by the end of this year. Just want to know, since I can speak fluently in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, could there be possibly schools that would want a teacher like me that can teach not just English, but maybe Chinese as well ? Will this give me a higher chance of been hired? I met a Korean girl the other day, and she told me that there are many Koreans wanting to learn Chinese now, not so sure if this is actually the case since I have never been in the Korean market. At the same time, I know basic conversational Koreans and daily vocabularies that people often use, will this put me into an advantage as well?

I am very passionate about the Korean culture, therefore I do not think I will have a difficult time adapting to Korean society if I do end up working in Korea. And I would love to have the chance to work in Korea so I can get pay teaching lessons but at the same time allowing me time to explore this fascinating (to me =P) culture and sharpening up my Korean speaking skills.

Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my long story, appreciate all the help that I will be getting. THANKS ('')

[Weigookin74]

Could be any reason. Maybe the font's weren't right on the Resume. Maybe they wanted a white person that day. Maybe your job photo wasn't professional enough. Maybe the EPIK person just randomly rejected resume's that day. I'd say try again with a recruiter. Some like footprints will apply to EPIK. Put a different address and use a different picture and email address. EPIK might think you're a different person and not reject it. Get the best most professional prettiest picture you can with head and shoulders shot with a white background. Go to walmart and get the Korean passport size photo taken. I did that a few years ago. Dress business smart for the pic. Downplay too much education. (Too overqualified will mean having to pay more.) Stress that you like Korean culture, have been studying Korean, like Korean food, want to work with children, and want to use this an opportunity to improve your teaching. blah blah....

At the same time, many schools are wanting one year experience teaching in Korea before hiring. Many younger teachers are ending up in the country now. This recession has also created a lot of competition these past couple of years for teaching jobs. Before that was relatively easy to come over.

There are also some recruiters that hire specifically for certain provinces directly, though it is an EPIK form. Think KoreanHorizons is one.

[Weigookin74]

Don't think EPIK gives reasons for rejection from what I have heard.

[Weigookin74]

I think a mix of experience, a 120 hour TESOL certificate, and a 4 year degree will do the trick. Masters in TESOL might have them afraid they have to pay too much. Not sure about that though.

[dajafu]

Thanks for the comments ~~ =D

I will definitely try again next year with EPIK, my korean friend actually suggested I should try some hagwon or even go there first then find a teaching job (which I think would be very risky, and I am not planning to do that).

Regarding the photo, I already submitted a very professional looking photo because the photos I used was for my passport renewal as well and I wore business attire that day because I was going to work that day. But thanks for your advice, I will see what I can make it even better next time !

[scott1985]

I had my interview with on Monday and got rejected. I applied through footprints recruitment agency, they said EPIK doesnt give feedback. I was born in Belgium although both my parents are British and Im British I think that went against me. There are other government programmes for teaching in korea such as GEPIK and MOE that I think are less competitive.

Good luck

[Guajiro]

[young_clinton]

Your application was handled by a couple of people at the most. They could have rejected you for the most ridiculous reasons possible. I would recommend that you apply for a public school through a recruiter that doesn't use EPIK or GEPIK. There are many schools that use private recruiters that don't rely on EPIK or GEPIK. You can find those right here on Dave's

[gwhitey09]

It's because you aren't fluent in English.
Your post had numerous errors.
Someone who was fluent in English probably read
your resume and realized you aren't a native speaker.

[Mr Lee's Monkey]

Wow, don't take the last comment to heart, please. You wrote your post better in what might be a second or third language than a lot of native speakers of English do.... You could go a little bonkers trying to figure out why you were rejected, and the reason could be so impersonal and arbitrary.... try again. And again. Don't be too discouraged at this point. Good luck!

[young_clinton]

[cincynate]

I think your biggest impediment is that you were born in China, and I'm guessing you did your primary schooling in Hong Kong. Koreans are very raceist, and most of them want "White Female with blonde hair and blue eyes, weighing between 120-130 lbs." If you look through some of the job advertisements, they actually say "Looking for a female caucasion."
EPIK is a little less raceist, but they probably didn't want to deal with checking, so they just rejected you.
Just send out as many applications as you can, eventually you'll get something.. Just don't give up!!

[ThingsComeAround]

Your Korean tutor was right, EPIK is good for government funding, however GEPIK is also government funded. Try a proper recruiter (like the others mentioned, and Korvia) and get your name out there. Use several recruiters- just send your documents out AFTER you get the phone interview. Then no problem

You don't have to wait a whole year- the next hiring session starts in January for spring semester.

[bentobento]

[nero]

Don't be put off by bad hagwon stories on here.
Do your research, talk to previous teachers, ask about the curriculum and if they have a detention system for students (but put it in a nicer way!) and you could find yourself working in a good position.
From your posts you seem like a positive, upbeat person...so just keep trying!