Korean Job Discussion Forums

NateD · Joined: 15 Jan 2009

Well, my girlfriend and I had our interviews last night and just before we were told by our recruiter all metro locations were full minus Gwangju. No worries, Gwangju is what we wanted. Our interviews went well and we were told by the interviewer if we sent out our paperwork today we'd have a 50/50 shot at Gwangju or else it was provincial for us.

Then, after talking to our recruiter, we were told EPIK told him Gwangju would probably be full by today. GAH! Now, we wake up this morning and have an email from the recruiter that says there are 10 spots in gwangju and they'll probably be full by Wednesday. What!?

So, the whole situation kind of left a foul tastes in our mouths which may answer my question, but what the hell do we do? My girlfriend wants Gwangju or bust. Do we send in our paperwork and risk it and spend the money to overnight it at the risk of having to get new forms notarized, apostilled, etc.

Just to avoid confusion, we were told we should have our interviews first before sending any paperwork out to S. Korea.

Do any of you have any advice in this situation?

This whole mess has been making my head hurt for days.

Any constructive help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Brook · Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Location: middle of nowhere

Don't freak out just yet. Based on my experience, you can still get into Gwangju even if it's "full." Here's my experience:

I wanted Gangwon-do. I sent everything in as requested, but there was a paperwork problem and until I could get it fixed they couldn't guarantee me a spot. By the time the corrected papaerwork was overnighted to my recruiter EPIK showed the province as full, even though my recruiter said spots were still available. Talk about confusing! Apparently, there's a national AND provincial portion of EPIK. While national showed they were full, he was able to contact the provincial department and secure me a location (or vice versa). I had another 10 minute interview with that department, and received my contract (for Gangwon-do) about a week later.

I'm not saying that's what'll happen, but it worked out for me. I felt the same unease as you when I was told he could get me a position in a "full" area, but you have to remember that they have connections that we don't. IMHO, if you're set on that location, go for it and maybe you'll get lucky too.

Morning_Star · Joined: 21 Jan 2009

Are you applying for March or September?

NateD · Joined: 15 Jan 2009

Brook: I've heard that that can be the case in soem areas, but not all.

Morning_Star: We are applying for March. We do realize we are quite late on the applications.

NateD · Joined: 15 Jan 2009

Really, I wouldn't mind going for it, however its just a pain that they need all of my documents first so they can attempt to lock me in. If they'd just say, yeah you can have it, then I'd be fine. It isn't full yet, but they make it seem like the effort may not be worth it.

Well, I have a few hours to decide anyways. I just don't want to round all the paperwork up again and spend the cash.

meursault · Joined: 19 Dec 2008

I'm facing a similar problem. I had a successful interview with EPIK for Busan but was then told, just before sending off my documents, that all positions were filled. I thought about trying for Daegu/Daejon, but they both filled up the very next day.

I have absolutely no desire to end up in the middle of nowhere, so I'm now wondering whether I should just get a hagwon job.

NateD · Joined: 15 Jan 2009

meursault: Did you already send everything, or are you holding onto it for a hagwon job? Its just such a pain to have to get all the paperwork again if we are told Gwangju is not available. Also, I just got an email from my recruiter saying there are now spots in Daejeon. I don't get it

meursault · Joined: 19 Dec 2008

I haven't sent anything yet. The urban positions filled up right after my interview and before I had a chance to mail my documents (I had to wait a few days for my letter of recommendation). Coincidentally, when I interviewed for Busan, my interviewer told me the same thing yours told you about Gwangju: I had a 50/50 chance if I sent my papers immediately.

I don't want to work in a rural province, and that's why I'm wondering whether I should look for a hagwon job so that I can end up in/around Seoul. GEPIK might still have positions; maybe I'll look into that.

It certainly is confusing, I'll agree...