Korean Job Discussion Forums

charlottematt2 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004

Can anyone answer the following questions?

Will a criminal misdemeanor necessarily disqualify me for an ESL assignment in Korea? Has anyone (honestly) had to deal with this rather embarrassing situation?

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

charlottematt2 in Florida

peppermint · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 2:19 pm Post subject:

If the misdemeanor is on your permanent record, it will disqualify you from most public school gigs, as they require a letter of conduct from the police in your hometown. Otherwise, it should be fine.

Hopeful_Traveler · Joined: 04 May 2004 Location: Santa Cruz, Cali

CharlotteMatt -- Sorry I can't offer any advice...but I have to ask (if it weren't me it would be somebody else, right??) Wink

What was the criminal misdemeanor for? (I thought since you brought it up you wouldn't mind elaborating).

oneiros · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Location: Villa Straylight

99% of hogwans don't do any sort of background check. (I'm sure there might be one or two floating around that do.)

Falstaff · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Location: Ansan

I think it will depend on what the misdemeanor is for more than anything else. I'd be very surprised if hogwans do background checks, but most government jobs will.

Teufelswacht · Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Location: Land Of The Not Quite Right

Charlottematt:

Before the question can be answered a lot more information has to be known.

Where did the offense occur? In which jurisdiction? To say Florida is not good enough. Which city AND county? Are the courts for city and county consolidated or separate? Are there separate courts for Misdemeanors and Felonies? How long ago did this ocur and how far back does a records check go? Does the court report to FDLE? (if in Florida). While police keep records of arrest, they usually don't keep records of adjudication. A lot more needs to be known before I could give you some advice.

PM me with the particulars and I can probably provide you with some more cogent advice. Or, at least I might be able to point you in the right direction to get the answers you need.

Teufelswacht

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Hogwans don't even check if your degree is accredited, so don't worry about your past misdemeanors. They just want to know when you can start, if you have a degree, and a valid passport from an English-speaking country. I wish to god, for morality sakes, that they did background checks, but they don't. There is absolutely no safeguard in place to filter child molesters, or bail-jumpers with more serious offences.

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

come now, hogwans, do background checks?!!?? you must be joking! paedophiles paradise, korea, if you've got a degree isn't it?!?!

peppermint · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:07 am Post subject:

hey- my recruiter requested a letter of good conduct from the police before she'd even look at a resume. ( she didn't lstay in the business long though)

agraham · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Location: Daegu, Korea

I had to pay 35 bucks for my letter and nobody's even asked for it.

JennyJJ · Joined: 01 Mar 2003

Most often, the letter of "good conduct" is sufficient if it says that you aren't currently wanted for anything. There is no set format for such a letter - and they are not consistently asked for. My current employer didn't ask for such letter. Nor my previous three of four in other countries.

I'd say don't worry about it and cross that bridge when you get there. Not all schools ask and I suspect it is a minority.