Korean Job Discussion Forums

noumenalself · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

I was offered a November position by a recruiter for a GEPIK public school that did not require a further interview beyond the one I did with my recruiter. They tell me that they don't know why the school has opening during the school year or if they can put me in touch with someone working there.

Later in the day, another reputable recruiter tells me (without me dropping any clues about anything) that he wouldn't recommend GEPIK because it has messed up prospective teachers chances by letting individual schools handle paperwork (the recruiter admitted that GEPIK has no human resources department). Also, that along with funding cuts and staffing problems may very likely lead to GEPIK being taken over by EPIK or some other major restructuring.

My question is: I like the location, the public high school looks good from the school's official website, the contract seems to be in order... do I have any reason to be worried? (I mean, above normal "coming to Korea" worry).

This job could mean a lot so any advice would be much appreciated.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

My replacement is starting in November so the timing in and of itself is not a red flag.

The other stuff sounds like 2 recruiters fighting over getting the commission for placing you (he who signs you gets paid - he who doesn't, gets nothing.)

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bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

noumenalself · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Thank you for your replies. The recruiter is looking into whether or not I will be the first FT at the school, and if not putting me in contact with previous teachers. Since all the red flags I was concerned about seem to be a non-issue, I think I will take the job. I hope this leads to me finally getting out of suburban Miami and started teaching in Asia!

expat2001 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

I didn't have time (in between classes) to properly address the OP earlier - hence my short reply.

The timing, as I indicated earlier, is not necessarily a red flag.

Later in the day, another reputable recruiter tells me (without me dropping any clues about anything) that he wouldn't recommend GEPIK because it has messed up prospective teachers chances by letting individual schools handle paperwork (the recruiter admitted that GEPIK has no human resources department). Also, that along with funding cuts and staffing problems may very likely lead to GEPIK being taken over by EPIK or some other major restructuring.

This however is a serious pack of lies and 1/2 truths. It sounds very much like the recruiter has no openings at a public school (or at least not in Gyeonggi) so is trying to discredit the Provincial office of Education in order to offer you some hakwon job.

FACT: GEPIK does have an HR department (even if it short staffed at the moment). Individual schools also hire directly by themselves (via a recruiter) when they are too far down the waiting list to get a FT from the GEPIK or if they need someone outside of the regular hiring schedule. The GEPIK program itself only does recruitment during the periods Jan.-Mar. and June-Sept. even though the GPOE hires replacements year round. The contracts are usually the same.

GEPIK/GPOE is the LARGEST education office in the country and currently employs more FTs AND more KTs than ALL the other programs or provincial offices combined.

GEPIK and the GPOE just received the BIGGEST funding boost EVER for FTs from the national education office (in line with 2MB's advancement of English directives). It's budget is more than 4 times bigger than EPIK or SMOE. They're not going to go broke anytime soon and certainly not until the country does.

Yes, there are the usual things to worry about when getting a job in Korea but the note from the 2nd recruiter is a pack of crap. I think you can expect a hakwon offer from them if you stay in touch.

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maingman · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Location: left Korea

ttompatz wrote :
GEPIK does have an HR department .. HR departement meaning
high raises
Rolling Eyes

w/end starts tommorow -so how much is that cheap journey/fare to Busan

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

AussieGav · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Uijeongbu

I agree with ttompatz. The timeing is definatly a nonissue. I was offered a public school position earlier this year by GEPIK in the middle of semester. I didnt accept purely for personal reasons (it was bad timing for me). I actually started my current position after the begining of semester. I was already in Korea and have an F visa so it all worked well for people.

The recruiters sound like most. The generally dont care what job you end up with, they are in it for the money. They are, after all, a business. Some of course are professional.

If you are concerned you could contact GEPIK directly I guess. I did and the process was simple.

Good Luck.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

farrepatt · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

My wife just started a job a couple of weeks ago with a GEPIK elementary school (I've been working with them for over a year now). I've also met 2 foreign teacher's in the Yongin area that just started with GEPIK in the last couple of weeks, so I wouldn't worry about the mid-semester starting date.

My wife called the GEPIK office in late August to ask about a job and was told that all GEPIK jobs were filled. After freaking out a bit, she followed the advice of people here on Dave's and wound up finding a GEPIK school in the area that wanted an English teacher. It makes no sense to me that there was a school in our area looking for a teacher and the GEPIK office almost discouraged us from even trying. So I'd say it is definitely worth going from school to school to see if there are any jobs available. It's not fun, but it can work.

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

Regarding the misinformation on the part of the GEPIK head office. Often times what happens is that there is a serious lack of communication with each school and the head office. As someone said, there are many, many schools in Gyeonggi. So while the official schools registered with the office "that are officially looking for a native speaker," may already have one, there is always some other school that may be off the radar. That is how disorganized and bad the system is. That doesn't necessarily mean that the actual school you work for is bad. GEPIK is bad, but the school may actually be decent. I hope that is clear.

I had an independent contract with a hagwon and a public school that ended last week. I simply extended my contract which ended in September because I was waiting for the new teacher to arrive. So don't worry about timing, it doesn't matter if the school is good.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OP, there are ALWAYS openings at hagwons and public schools.

Oh, and you WANT to be the first foreign teacher at your school. Odds are, if the school had a foreign teacher, that person "lowered the bar" to the floor, if you know what I mean. Wink

It's better to be the first and show them what a good teacher/person you can be.

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

The OP should ask his/her prospective school about how long the previous teacher has worked there. If they say none, it may be true. If the teacher left in the middle of the year, it is usually a bad sign.

ttompatz wrote: