Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sadiebear]

My hubby got hired to work for Epik in Jeollanamdo and he has to submit a sealed transcript from his Uni., criminal record check, medical report and passport pics and these are all done but one more thingthat the agency informed him this morning- he has to submit 2 selaed reference letters w/a signature/stamp on the enclosure. This is so ridiculous! Now he has to contact his job he used to work at in UK. The document that we had atfirst didn't ask for 2 sealed references and now they're asking for those. Our deadline to submit all these documents is till Dec.15 (only 2 n half more weeks). Anyway, there's another agency that he got offered a job to work for a public sch. in Mooju city. Should he just take that instead? We already spent $100+ for his medical record check-gosh!
Thanks.

[dutchy pink]

I've been hired thru EPIK and have gone thru the same thing.

I have also been told, and this is not a quotable quote, "You have an envelope right? you can find a letter of recommendation, right? You can seal the envelope, can't you? you've swiggled lines pretending it was a signature before, haven't you? We're not gonna check."

So, If you spoke with whoever wrote the recommendation and he/she knows... nobody cares.

[yeremy]

I have been working in a GEPIK program for almost the last three years at a public school, and I had to submit the same sealed documents they requested of you, for that program. Now, I've been hired by EPIK and it was the same procedure. I already knew, so I just got everything ready and submitted it. If you work in a public school in Korea, you will have to submit the same documents regardless. I don't think there is any way to get around it, even if you go through a recruiter. I've heard that in some places the public school teachers are hired through a hagwon there, so they may not have to do as much paperwork as someone who works, or is hired by GEPIK or EPIK.

[Lostone7]

[ED209]

Wow indeed, just the start of a mountain of red tape EPIK is going to introduce for it's teachers. I suggest sealing your hubby naked in a large envelope and signing across the seal, this will avoid all future paperwork since how can anything in a signed and sealed envelope not be genuine.

[Smee]

I went through a similar thing when I was hired 1.5 years ago in a public school (not through EPIK). I suspect you'll face the same things at all the public schools in the area. Not sure why people are still going through EPIK . . . Canadian Connections does most of the placements in Jeollanam-do, and they offer better vacation time and a solid support network. I thought EPIK would've collapsed by now, considering all the bad publicity out there on it.

[Aussiekimchi]

EPIK PUBLIC SCHOOLS APPLICATION PROCESS

Nov/Dec

1. Fill in application forms.
2. Interview with EPIK
3. Send docs for approval to your recruiter/EPIK
* Photocopy of your degree
* a photocopy of your passport (picture page)
* 2 passport photos
* 2 letters of recommendation (sealed)
* Criminal Record check
* Medical examination
* Original signed Application forms
* A return address and phone number
4. Your university sends sealed transcripts DIRECTLY to EPIK Head Office in Korea.

Jan/Feb

5. Your recruiter/EPIK sends you an appointment package.
6. You will take the appointment package along with:
* Original degree
* Sealed transcripts
* Passport
* 1 passport photo
to the nearest Korean consulate to get your passport stamped with an E2 teaching visa for Korea.
7. Arrange your airfare
8. Arrive in Korea

It is the same for ALL EPIK teachers from now on.

[SHANE02]

[AwesomeA]

[sojourner1]

Does the same EPIK application process mentioned above still have in effect, the same application process or is it to be hastily changed for those seeking a March 1 public school job? If changed, I can't do the application process since I am already in Korea where I can't produce the police report and apostille of diploma, unless the one I got 1 year ago will do. A new one would be no different since I have not lived in America since obtaining this police report I have. Since I am have been in Korea this year, it would make more sense to get a Korean police report if they require a recent one.

Also, can the medical be done in Korea for those in Korea and going through the application process. I have everything else and will return home in February so I could submit my original degree and passport to the Korean consulate in order to be ready to fly back to Korea in late February.

And then the new visa regs are looming like a big black cloud which we are not sure how and when that will effect the application process. It really is bad business if they hastily make these new regs go into effect immediately without giving everyone adequate time to be properly prepared.

[Lostone7]

Just my two cents.........................UMMM epik DOES pay for plane tickets.

And

1. Fill in application forms. OK, normal what's different?2. Interview with EPIK OK, normal what's different? 3. Send docs for approval to your recruiter/EPIK WHY? Use a recruiter?* Photocopy of your degree Sure
* a photocopy of your passport (picture page) Sure* 2 passport photos ok* 2 letters of recommendation (sealed) .......I asked at the head office about this and I asked Mrs. Jang at the BOE. She said she never heard of such a thing? But, yes two recommendations same-same as it has been. I think a lot of recruiters!!!! are just adding stuff trying to cover anything they can think of JUST IN CASE.* Criminal Record check ok same-same
* Medical examination same-same This can be done at home in Korea or anywhere Abroad.* Original signed Application forms OK
* A return address and phone number Sure lol 4. Your university sends sealed transcripts DIRECTLY to EPIK Head Office in Korea. I haven't heard of this either! BUT I do think it would be a good idea maybe bring less pressure on us later
Jan/Feb

5. Your recruiter/EPIK sends you an appointment package. LOL I think all this information comes from a recruiter!6. You will take the appointment package along with:
* Original degree
* Sealed transcripts
* Passport
* 1 passport photo
to the nearest Korean consulate to get your passport stamped with an E2 teaching visa for Korea.
7. Arrange your airfare
8. Arrive in Korea

The rest is same -same? What�s the difference then?? Seems like someone is trying to scare you.
Only changes that ARE official ARE GOOD IMO

SUCH AS,

Pay scale increases!!
RE-signing Bonuses
Yearly raises
New mentoring Program .....with NT getting Monthly compensation for it.
AND

NOT OFFICIAL

But being asked for by the BOE

is that those that RE-Sign DO NOT have to leave to get a new E2.


Everything is up in the air right now just relax and wait and see!

[Horangi Munshin]

[GreenlightmeansGO]

I haven't read all the posts in this thread, so please forgive me (I'm a lazy rat-bas**rd).

For my kindergarten job I needed a letter of recommendation ASAP, but my contact was being slow...sooooo, I typed it up myself, printed it, sent an e-mail to my sister to tell her boss (my 'referee') and handed it in. No checks.

Granted, this isn't a story about the public school system, but I never thought anyone took reference letters so seriously. I've sat on interview panels and didn't believe a word on applicants' letters of recommendation. It is bureaucratic. I'm sorry you have to go through this carp.

[Aussiekimchi]

All that is mentioned earlier is OFFICIAL from EPIK HEAD OFFICE and unless you follow the document submission exactly, you run the risk of delays with a placement or rejection.
I can't speak for other companies, but Recruiters do not get to add or take away from the list of docs required...with exception of the return address we ask applicants to send as it IS the recruiter who sends you the appointment pack and it is easier for our own process.
SMOE and GEPIK may be different...just follow what your recruiter asks of you or if you are not sure, check out the EPIK website..if you get that far..apply directly through them...don't use a recruiter.

[Lostone7]