Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiwiluvesyew]

I am preparing for the Chicago Consulate interview for the upcoming month, and I was hoping anyone who has done this before could help me out. I live in Kentucky, so it is going to be a very expensive car ride up there. Is there anyway to skip this interview and still have what is needed for my Korean/USA documents? Thanks for any help!

[Zaria32]

First, I know nothing about the interviews at this consulate in particular, but most interviews last about 5 minutes and are more or less pointless.
However, don't display any tats, have pink hair or ask if all things Western will be available to you in Korea.

Some consulates offer a video alternative, but you'd have to call that consulate and ask...

[Zaria32]

In asnwer to your "skip" question, no, not at this time, you gotta do it. Korean Immigration changes the rules about every 20 seconds though, so you never know...

[Dances With Wolves]

The interview is pretty painless. You will be asked basic questions like why do you want to teach in Korea? How would you deal with a difficult question? What do you know about Korean culture? And the oddest question I was asked was how I felt about tattoos.

Make sure you have all your documents ready, that is key. I had to mail my recommendation letters to them. Wear a tie, and definitely research the answers to these questions. PM if you need any other advice on this procedure.

[MSU Fan]

I have heard of people claiming they had a video interview and therefore didn't have to go to the Consulate. I went and the questions weren't too harsh. If you do the normal preparation before the interview you will be fine. I was coming in expecting the worst and was actually surprised with how quick the interview went. By the time I got comfortable in my seat the interview was over.

The main reason for the interview, I guess, is because they are wanting to make sure you are a real person and that all your papers match up. It is a little difficult finding the place, since you need to turn off Wacker Drive and there is no visible street signs. Just have all your paperwork ready and you should be fine. Dealing with paperwork and red tape getting into this country is a pain in the a**, but it is worth it. I have had jobs back at home that were far worse than teaching in Korea.

I have had bad days and worse days here, but if you have any experience with noisy kids then you will be just fine over here. Just keep your cool and you will be able to come over soon. It took me over 2 months to get here and it is already a distant memory.

[kimchikowboy]

Where in Kentucky?

[kiwiluvesyew]

Louisville!

[Mint]

I got my visa through the Chicago Consulate.
I had no interview.
Prepare for it, but the odds are they are too lazy to do it; either way you get your visa.

[I-am-me]

Hopefully you dont have a thick southern accent. They might fire you within a month if they dont like how you sound. Its happened before. Welcome to Korea! Why not try japan?

[DongtanTony]

One of my new teachers came from Kentucky...Murray to be exact.

Unfortunately, the Korean Consulate Generals in the United States are less likely to offer the video conferencing option when compared to their Canadian KCG counterparts.

My suggestion...when you schedule your interview...claim dire circumstances.

For example...if your interview is scheduled for tomorrow...tell them you're flying out the day after and you must have your visa processed the same day.

Otherwise...two scenarios will happen.

1. You will have to stay overnight in Chicago...at least...maybe two...the Chicago consulate is known for taking its sweet ass time.

2. They're going to mail your passport back to you via snail mail. Even if you show up with a prepaid FedEx/DHL/UPS envelope...they do have restrictions about your personal information being viewable on that envelope. Snail mail...especially interstate USPS will take more time.

My suggestion beg, plead, and cry if necessary Try anything you can to make this a one-time trip with the quickest possible outcome. Remember...your flight leaves tomorrow.

Good luck.

[kimchikowboy]

[mmarshalynne]

I called the Chicago consulate twice checking to see if I possibly could get an intervew scheduled I was put on hold once, and noone ever came back to the phone. The next time I called I was just disconnected. I never got past the operator. By that time, i had read about waiting for my visa number and just quit. I am waiting for my visa number now.