Korean Job Discussion Forums

ohme_ohmy · Joined: 13 May 2009

I found a job post for a public school teaching position and it sounds incredible. It's in Busan and it's through a library program within the Center of Education. The job entails a more creative, hands-on approach to teaching that really appeals to me. I have a phone interview with the recruiter on Wednesday. Does this sound legit? How often do opportunities like these come up? I have a huge list of questions to ask about the position but I was just curious if maybe this one is too good to be true? :/

The only issue is that the job is listed with a June 1st start date!! How hard and fast is this date usually? If this were in fact to be the start date I would really need to hustle to get myself ready to go (which I'm already in the process of preparing for) however I worry that I won't be able to get my visa, background check, shopping for necessities, moving, etc. done in the amount of time I need to! Is this date fairly flexible in everyones' past experience?

Thanks in advance for your help.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

Why are you asking us if it's 'legit'... how on earth would we know?

In general... if it's too good to be true, it's not. This maxim goes 10X in K-land.

I'm going to 'say' this once... listen -
"Recruiters lie, employers lie".

ohme_ohmy · Joined: 13 May 2009

I was asking because I haven't really seen any other job posts like this one before, and was curious if others have in the past. I'm not expecting you to KNOW anything. Just asking...

Also, if recruiters lie and employers lie, how on earth are you supposed to end up with a decent job in Korea? Luck of the draw?

While I appreciate the 'help' and your warnings, you could be a little friendlier about it?

Anyone else have any advice they can offer? Especially in regards to job start dates. Are employers generally somewhat flexible with job start dates?

Kikomom · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject:

It's doable, but just by the skin of your teeth. If the job hasn't been filled by your interview Wednesday, and they decide to offer you a contract (that you are happy with), they know the timeline from there--getting your docs to Korea and the job getting you a visa issuance number--and may adjust it accordingly.

How far along on the CRC are you? The minute you have it, the CRC and a copy of your degree needs to be notarized, then certified by the County Clerk's Office, then apostilled by the NYDOS:

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

they're saying June 1 because they know you can't get a visa by then and that means you won't work 12 months. *poof* no severance

Kikomom · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 3:05 pm Post subject:

I don't think so. I found the ad and it's with the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education. Looks legit to me. The question is, will they adjust the contract dates to the actual arrival/start date?

Whether the recruiter pulls a bait and switch is another question. Stick to your guns if you really want this job, Ohme. If they're sticking to the June 1 date and they actually have teachers ready to be there to fill it, then see what else they have to offer, or move on to something else. They've either filled these positions or haven't.

I also see where the airfare is reimbursed by stipend, not prepaid. So save all your receipts/boarding passes, etc. and get ready for some hefty cash up front out of your pocket.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 1:27 am Post subject:

ohme_ohmy · Joined: 13 May 2009

thank you all SO MUCH. this information was incredibly helpful!

Kikomom - a couple additional questions. my college degree is in Connecticut with my parents. does it matter if they have it notorized and apostilled there in CT while my CRC will be done in NY? Or should they all be done in NY? Also - I have a friend who is an attorney and is able to notorize legal documents. Will that work? Instead of going down to a notory office? I'm planning to go begin the CRC process on Monday morning (couldn't go any sooner). How long does this process usually take? What is a "bait and switch"?? Also if the airfare is a stipend (meaning I am reimbursed) what is a fair timeline to give for reimbursement?

Again thank you everyone for your advice.

Kikomom · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 11:40 am Post subject:

Well that throws a wrench in the 'get this done fast' works. Here's the skinny on CT Secretary of State.
Authentication of Documents and the Apostille

And here's the link to send your folks for apostille application:
Authentication/Apostille Order Form

The diploma will still need to be copied and notarized in the state where it is to be apostilled. Anyone who is registered as a notary with the state where you are having the apostille done can notarize your document. The purpose of the apostille is to authenticate that your notary public (lawyer friend), town/city clerk is indeed authorized to do so. But only with the state he is affiliated with. CT will not apostille a doc signed by a NY notary and vice-versa. Remember, NY has the extra County Clerk step that certifies the notary.

A bait and switch is where the recruiter has an incredible job posted, but turns out they're all filled when you actually speak to them. Then they have more (undesireable) ones to be filled that they try to get you to take. Still, this one looks legit to me. You just have to beat the competition to it.

The stipend could show up in your first month's pay. Just make sure you have the receipts/boarding pass to claim it even though it appears to be a set lump sum. Ask the recruiter for sure how that works. Or ask the program itself if you interview with them.

I really don't know much about going about a CRC in NY. I'll suggest start by calling the County Clerk's office, or even a Brooklyn police station. If you go thru the Clerk's office and it comes back fast enough, you may even be able to skip the Notary stamp and they can certify it to go straight to be apostilled? We did Wario's last year online (with the PA State Police) before Korea said no more online CBCs.

Use an official-govt source for all of your docs, not the online ones. Middlemen will charge you an arm and a leg and dick you around for weeks.