Korean Job Discussion Forums

[socratesocks]

Is there any difference between going through a recruiter and filling out an EPIK application yourself on their website?

[cruisemonkey]

Yes.

It varies by location/who the recruiter is working for -
Some recruiters can offer absolutely no guarantee as to location because they are working for the national EPIK office... just as if you applied to EPIK directly. Other recruiters can guarantee you will be placed with a particular Provincial Office of Education (POE); Metropolitain Office of Education (MOE): Busan, Ulsan, Daegu, Daejeon, Incheon, Gwangju; or Jeju-Do (autonomous) Board of Education. Some recruiters can quarantee a particular city within a POE, and still others can guarantee a specific school (it depends on the policy of the particular POE(s) for whom the recruiter is working).

If you apply to EPIK directly, they can send you virtually anywhere in Korea (except Seoul (SMOE) and Gyeonggi-do (GEPIK).

[Morgen]

A recruiter will [probably] also give you more support and answer more of your questions, at no cost to you.

[Bloopity Bloop]

Are you thinking about applying for this year?

According to the EPIK website, they are not accepting any applications for metropolitan areas after the 20th of this month, if that's what you wanted...

Thing is, they have just opened up 100 positions in Seoul and you may qualify if you are at least a level 2 GET. I don't think many people are aware of this so take advantage (if you qualify, of course)!

[socratesocks]

I'm interested in Jeju actually, so I'm not concerned about time too much. Do you need to have all the apostilles before you apply? Does any one know of recruiters that work particularly for Jeju? How about recruiters based in the US?

[Morgen]

Are you sure about Jeju? Is this your first time to Korea?

I, and I think most posters, would strongly encourage you to have your paperwork in order before you apply, or at least well along in the process. It can take longer than you expect, especially if you don't have recommendation letters and transcripts and notarized copies of your degree on hand, and there is very little risk of having done the legwork for nothing (ie, not being accepted).

Korvia is a really good Korean-based recruiter, but have some staff in the US. Try emailing sam at korvia dot com.

[alphakennyone]

^

I went with Korvia thanks to strong recommendations on this board, but I got Serena...who I wasn't too impressed with to be honest. Too pushy and doesn't seem to want to do much work herself (reminds me of my hagwon bosses).

[socratesocks]

Yes, it will be my first time in Korea. Currently I'm a low level bureaucrat and I can't imagine how I ended up here. I need to do something different, interesting, and challenging. What's the poop on Jeju? Thanks for the Korvia recommendation.