Korean Job Discussion Forums

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

I just got an email from Soonchunhyang University's Foreign Language Center saying that they want to interview me. The problem is that they want to do the interview in Ansan on July 21st and I'm in the States. If I thought it would be reasonable for me to fly there, I might consider it, but the 21st is just a week from now.

The job posting on Dave's said nothing about interviews being on campus. My resume and my emails clearly state that I'm not in Korea at the moment.

So, do you think there's anyway that I can persuade them to switch it to a phone interview? Do you have any recommendations for how to go about trying to persuade them?

Also, has anybody ever worked for Soonchunhyang's FLEC program? Any opinions on it?

Thanks for the help.

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

maybe explain that it practically impossible for this to happen and there is no mention of this request in the advertisement.. it may be a bit rude to tell a korean this, he may feel like a novice (i dunno really), but, a very high percentage of all foreign teachers have their visas issued in 'the states' and are only flown in after the everything is finalized..

offer other alternatives such as online webcam and voice interviews, and phone interviews...

most uni jobs are good.. it is a shame that this is happening..

good luck Exclamation

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Thanks Wylde. I'll try that. I don't own a webcam, so I'm not sure if I can even do the web interview idea.

I keep looking at the ad, posted June 29th on Dave's, checking to see if I somehow missed a sentence saying that they were only interested in folks already in-country. But no, there's nothing there about it.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Any more thoughts anybody? Wylde made great suggestions, but I'm still feeling confused and perplexed.

I want to respond within a day, but I need to work out exactly what I'm going to say.

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

If there is one by a company called "Lebeca", get one of those. They are pretty good. Logtech makes some good ones in the states, but they are not the cheapest. The lowest-price versions usually aren't the best frm them, however.

Use MSN messenger for webcam, or Yahoo... MSN is best.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Thanks guys. I just sent an email asking for either a phone interview or video-conference interview. I would have called, but I'm feeling a bit too discombobulated to speak slowly and my conversational Korean is getting rusty. I don't want to give off the impression that I speak a mile a minute all the time.

I'm also planning to call to follow up on trying to get the interview scheduled.

Thanks again Wylde and Gollum. You're great.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Soonchunhyang agreed to a phone interview. Many thanks to everybody who gave advice and support through the forum and/or through PM.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Many thanks to those who have sent me messages via PM. I've been told that there are a number of Dave's users who are are either current or past employees of SCH. I thought it might be a good idea to post what I'm looking for here.

Basically, I want to be someplace where I'll be treated fairly and where they won't violate any Korean laws. Of course I want to be paid on time. I also want a reasonable amount of free time so that I can study Korean and work on literary translations. I've been told that SCH has a decent Korean language program, so that makes me happy.

I know it's the countryside, but all I'm looking for socially is a few nice hofs where I can quietly drink beer. I've spent time in Seoul and would rather be in a small town anyways.

What do you think of their housing? Small is fine, but I'd kind of like 10 pyong. I'll settle for less. I really don't like mold and mildew.

So, do you think I'll be happy at Soonchunhyang if the interview goes well?

Thanks

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

I just had the phone interview. They're doing a few more phone interviews and have in-person interviews on Wednesday for applicants who are already in Korea. The phone interview was brief, but it seemed like they mainly just wanted to hear what my voice sounds like. They said I'm definitely on the shortlist. I also just had a phone interview with Baekseok/Cheonan College of Foreign Studies. I posted about that separately. I'll havet to think carefully. They both sound like good jobs.

Any words of advice?

Thanks