Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Trevor]

Uni Sez they need a letter from United States law enforcement that I have never been convicted of anything.

No problem, I'm squeaky, but how do I get a letter? I live in Korea now.

U.S. Embassy? my Mom?

[Smee]

A recruiter told me I could try the US Embassy, but I never looked into it.

I know Pennsylvania has a site where you can do it online, so check with your state. I submitted my information and it took a few weeks to process. Then I printed it out from the site. It seemed really short (basically my name, birthdate, and "No Record,") so when I was back in PA I went to a local police station and asked them "Is this it?" They said yes, that's all I needed. (Plus, they said there was no way for them to retrieve it in person). I submitted it to the recruiter/school and had no problems with it. Check your state's website or google "_______(state) criminal check."

[Peter Jackson]

It will depend on the school and how serious they are. I know in my case, the last I heard about a records check was just before I was confirmed for the job. I told them, truthfully, that I was in Vietnam and getting one from my country was very difficult. They told me I could get it when I came to Korea but I never heard about it again!

That said, each place is different. I would just very politely put it off, say you'll do it once you settle in, get your bearings, get your lesson plans done (they'll love that excuse). If they don't insist before you sign than you might be ok.

In Korea there's the LAW then there's reality...not always on the same page!

[hellofaniceguy]

If someone can use a computer......surly they can figure out how to do a background check...or in my opinion, they certainly should not be teaching!
Just by typing in "background check" on google, yahoo, etc...brings up a host of sites! Costs? Varies from 20 bucks to 100 bucks. You provide your name, social, dob, etc, and they will run a criminal record search in your state or nationwide depending on what you want and pay for.
Most police stations will also provide the paper for a fee...got to apply in person of course.

[Smee]

[oskinny1]

I had to do this but it was pretty easy. It was with Florida and I had to mail them a form (which I got on the internet) and a check (can't remember for how much) and then they mailed me back whatever I sent them but it had a stamp on it saying I was clean. Of course I never lived in Florida, that may be one reason why I was cleared.

[ChuckECheese]

[green_bean]

Is it typical for a school to require a background check after you've signed the contract? My record's not so squeeky clean, but I thought they'd have asked by now. Right?

[Young FRANKenstein]

[BigBuds]

It's not easy for Australians to get.

Takes anywhere from one and a half to two months to get.

You also need to get a Justice of the Peace to sign off on all your ID doumentation (passport, driver license,etc). I couldn't find one in Korea so I had to get my father to get it done in Australia. Luckily for me, a family friend is one so he knew it was legit but if you don't know one personally, then I think you will be out of luck. I do know they exist in Korea but it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

You also have to download a form from the internet, fill it out and sign it, then send in the original form, you can't do it online.

It's a real pain in the ars*.

Also, if you're unlucky like I was, the first one will magically disappear in the mail, and then it'll take well over 2 months to get.

[ChopChaeJoe]