Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bearnana]

Okie, so I've been trying for a few months now to land a job in Korea. I was disappointed when I found out that my EPIK interview was unsuccessful. Previous disappointments have left me weary...But I think I just got offered a job? I applied to Korean Horizons immediately after hearing that I didn't get the EPIK position. Subsequently, I had an interview with them and filled out an application form for the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education.

I just heard back from Korean Horizons this morning. The gist of the email is basically -

"Hello there,
The Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education would like to formally offer you a Public School Position.
It would be to commence 1st March & would last for 1 full year."

Blah blah...

"Please confirm your acceptance & then we can move forward with acquiring your teaching visas.".

So should I be excited, or should I not be getting my hopes up? I think what is making me dubious is the fact that I figured there would be some sort of follow up interview...

[JustinC]

Confirm acceptance immediately and ask them any questions you have.

It's not unheard of for people to accept a job and then go with a different offer / go to a different country / get sick / forget about it / turn into a zombie etc.

BTW it's nearly 6pm in Korea, they might not answer a phone call or email until Monday.

So, once you've confirmed; get excited, have a drink, enjoy the weekend, have fun times with someone attractive, eat a kebab, do what ever you would do to celebrate.

[Bearnana]

Thank you for the reply. I don't think I'm going to turn into a zombie anytime soon...Already replied to the email confirming acceptance. I like the sounds of this kebab and attractive people party.

So it isn't strange that I am being offered a position, without a follow up interview?

If anyone who has taken a position from Korean Horizons previously reads this, please drop a reply.

[JustinC]

I didn't apply with them (KH) but I only had the one interview for my current PS job, and that was with the recruiter and not any of the staff at the school.

Well, an initial interview with the recruiter, some later correspondence, a letter of recommendation/release from my then current (ie previous) Korean boss, letters of recommendation and references from previous jobs etc.

So all of the paperwork was in order and my CV looked alright, and previous bosses said I did okay.

But hopefully someone will come along who went with KH.

In the meantime; live it up!

[schwa]

In your shoes, I'd be excited.

Korean Horizons has been around for years & they have a reputation to maintain. It would be quite uncommon for a public school to want to interview you directly.

I'd say it sounds like you're in, on the condition that you can jump through all the paperwork hoops smoothly.

[Bearnana]

I'm fairly certain I have all the relevant paper work, so it should go smoothly on that front.

*flaps arms around*

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I used them for my first job in Incheon. Alistair was great, and even helped me out with things, even though he didn't stand to make any money (just recommendations.)

IMOE is okay, but make sure you take a job for March 1st or the first day of the fall intake, and not off peak, because they do not give letters of release, and if, in a year or two, you get a great offer for a university or an international school, you'll have to quit and do a visa run. I have several friends who have had to do this.

[Bearnana]

Thanks for the advice. The position that has been offered to me commences on the 1st of March anyway.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Cool. If you like, send me a PM if and when you get to Incheon and I'd be happy to give you a list of places for shopping and socializing. Best of luck!

[Bearnana]

Will do, thanks a bunch.

Just out of interest, when you got your job there through KH, did you only have the 1 interview too?

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

My interview was just a nice long chat with Alistair on the phone. I came to Korea off peak (not during the hiring season,) so he knew at which school I'd be working, and sent me their website. Of course, at the time I knew very little Korean, and translators are pretty bad, but at least I had an idea of where I'd be living.

[Bearnana]

Yeh, my interview was just a nice long chat with Sarah Oh (I think that's her name...).

I barely know any Korean. I'm going to try and cram in as much studying as I can before I leave.

I don't know much about Incheon, but to be honest location was never a huge priority for me (as long as it wasn't completely remote/rural).

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Oh, she works for IMOE. PM sent.

[Bearnana]

Oh does she? Jeeze, I'm sort of glad I didn't know that prior to having my interview. Probably would have been too nervous.

[Ranman]

Recruiters can be absolute sleazebags, but Alistair is professional as they come. You should be excited. I would be highly surprised if he were to steer you wrong.