Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

Hi there

I am about to send in my application to EPIK and will most likely be given an interview.

I was wondering what I can expect at the interview?

Also do most of the successful candidates come from a professional teaching background? I don't have professional teaching credentials but have taught at a 학원 before and can speak Korean to a decent standard.

Thanks in advance for your help

[xCustomx]

I had an "interview" with SMOE about 9 months ago and it was a breeze. I think the only question that they really asked me was how I would be able to manage a class of 40 students. Other than that they just asked me how I liked living in Korea, what I enjoyed, what problems I had, why I wanted to work in a public school, what my long term goals were. If you have previous experience working in a hagwon then you should have no problem.

[rhinocharge64]

If your breathing fella then you will do!! On a serious note many local authorities (provinces) are having a hard time filling public school positions due to most schools now requiring a Waygook to teach. So, unless you drop any real clangers then I would say you will be guranteed a position on the EPIK programme. They will request a criminal record check, and thus I would suggest you crack on with this now. Mine took 4 weeks, and my brother sent it on to me here in Korea, and the was about ten pounds.

Hope this helps-The Charge!

[stevieg4ever]

Thanks for your reply. Im worried i might be too young and inexperienced for the role.

[xCustomx]

[Saram]

I was told that the interview would be a breeze after hearing stories about the interview lasting 5 minutes, being conducted in the local Dunkin Donuts next to the bus station, or even on the front lawn of the KNUE.
But when it was my turn, they grilled me for 45 minutes. The questions were pretty basic as another poster mentioned but they couldn't wrap their head around the fact that I came from Montreal and could speak english. They were very hesitant to hire me, even though I went to english school my entire life and speak without a lick of a Quebecois accent. I know the rules have changed recently but this was 2 or 3 years ago before the hesitance on hiring teachers from Quebec.

Them: So your from Quebec? How do we know you're fluent in English.
Me: Have you been listening to me for the past half hour?
Them: But our concern is that your from Quebec...
Me: English is my first language!!!
Them: But...

Anyways, this circular logic must have gone on for another 10 or 15 minutes. Regardless, I got the job and have enjoyed my time thus far in EPIK.

I don't think you'll have much to worry about. The police check was the most difficult thing.

[pkang0202]

Interview?? That was a joke right?

My interview was "Have you ever been to Kentucky?" The guy that interviewed me went to Kentucky State for his Master's. That was the only question he asked me. He looked at my application, saw that I already had a VISA, and said "Can you start on Monday?"

[mrsquirrel]

I wasn't accepted.

I don't think they liked the fact that I bolted from my last job here four years ago when I was not being paid and having crooks trying to steal my passport (my boss)

She asked me if I gave them any notice. Great idea darling I'll just tell the people who won't pay me and are trying to steal my passport that i'm leaving.

Stupid tart

[stevieg4ever]

Jeez this is the same way my last hagwon ended as well, even the same time frame. Not good but im sure they run into this problem a lot though.

[Rae]

I have an EPIK phone "interview" scheduled tomorrow. I'm wondering if they will require me to also meet someone in person. I checked their website and they don't have an office in my hometown. Thing is, I'm currently on vacation where they do have an office. What are the chances of them making me meet someone where I'm at now?

Is it standard procedure to meet in person? I signed with a recruiter for the sole-purpose of avoiding a real interview. (Not like I'm hiding anything but it would be so much easier to avoid it, especially since I'm on vacation and don't have transportation AND forgot to pack proper business attire.)

[sojourner1]

I understand it's a phone interview and then visa processing if you want the job they offer.

You are applying early if going for a March '08 start for which mostly likely you could be offered a position with an earlier start date.

I understand you apply online, get a phone interview, accept the job, they send paper contract by air, you sign, then you send contract back to Korea by air with original degree and criminal record check, have your university send a transcript to Epik, and then when Epik gets you a visa issuance number from immigration, you apply with a Korean consulate in your home country for a visa stamp in your passport. And then you go to Korea.

If I am leaving anything out, please correct me. Anyone?

[Bouvguy]

Ptang, I'm from Kentucky, so I wish I would have gotten that guy. I didn't go to Kentucky State though. OP, my interview was pretty basic too. I guess the hardest question is "why do you want to work for EPIK"? The answer is to make sure I get paid, but I guess I couldn't say that. I got a little screwed over because they told me I had a job in one city, so my fiancee started looking for a job there and got one, then they changed the city I was going to when I got here! Still haven't worked it all out.

[Rae]

Just had the "interview" and they didn't mention anything about having to meet anyone in person. It lasted about 20-30 min and pretty straightforward and surprisingly friendly.

[Atavistic]

I didn't even interview with GEPIK. My recruiter said, "I did it for you. You're in."

[Dome Vans]