Korean Job Discussion Forums

[megardi]

Sorry to bother, but looking for some wisdom on this sort of stuff.

We (husband + I) worked through Global Campus to get set--not impressed. We've been told by one of Global Campus' staffers that GEPIK is not offering ANY middle or high school positions in September. Is this a lie? Because it sure as hell seems like one. Further, they insist that the closest position they have for a couple is in Paju. Should we resign to what's available?

Craig from KorVia has insisted they can place us in a spot like Bundang/Ilsan/Gwangmyeong, where we'd like to be, but. Is that also a lie?

And if Global Campus has already put in an application for us (we signed contracts with nothing on them--we were told we'd sign other contracts with the dates and placement on them) are we totally screwed? Do we need to just accept what Global Campus has for us?

We're from Brooklyn, NY and are hoping to live in Gyeonngi-do, not too far from Seoul, and we can't be in Korea until Sep 1. Otherwise, we'd go with SMOE or EPIK, no prob.

[lifeinkorea]

I have been told by recruiters that they will help find me a school for September. So I don't know where the recruiter you talked to got their information.

Whether or not a recruiter can place you depends on if the school will want you. So, take all options, talk to the schools and make a commitment to one of them. Eventually, you will have to put your trust in one of the offers.

I feel you are trying to conclude too prematurely. Get the phone interview, get the documents ready, ask all the important questions, and MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT UPFRONT. The recruiter is just a middle man. You shouldn't have to ask us or the recruiter you want at the stage where you and the school agree on working with one another.

When you and the school decide you want to work with one another, you will be telling us and the recruiter what will happen. You apparently aren't at that stage yet.

[megardi]

We just want to be teaching in an urban school. I'd STRONGLY prefer working with MS/HSers. Scott doesn't have a preference.

What we need is to get in touch with a SCHOOL that we want to be at. Global Campus can't do that for us.

Can we have our application withdrawn with Global Campus and look for a job with another recruiter? or will GEPIK see our name again and flag us? That's the big question for us.

Also, I thought there wasn't a phone interview with the school with GEPIK? Or is there?

[Countrygirl]

I have yet to sign a new contract with my school so there would be a new position available in September if I don't sign. There are many schools just like my school so I'm sure there will be many positions opening up from now 'til Sept. If you are looking to be place close to each other, of course that will limit the positions your recruiter can offer you.

One question...have you ever been to Korea? If so, you would know that it's dangerous to sign a blank contract. In fact, if you've ever dealt with contracts before, you should know that you shouldn't sign anything that you haven't read...that includes names of schools that haven't been added to the contract. If I were you, I would be very uncomfortable in that situation. Don't rely on Koreans to approach business in the same way as they do in America. If it's unbelievable in America, it's possible in Korea.

[megardi]

Thanks, countrygirl, for the tips. I think we've learned our lesson. I just wonder if that's going to screw us for GEPIK permanently... hopefully, we'll be alright.

[farrepatt]

GEPIK doesn't really keep track of applications. From my experience they're pretty disorganized when it comes to hiring foreign teachers.

My wife worked at a GEPIK school for a year and didn't like it so decided to change to another one. We were told to use a recruiter and so we did. Our recruiter (Korvia) offered us some jobs but they weren't very close to where we lived. Then they finally got one close enough for us to accept and so we did. Yet, somehow things got messed up by Korvia and the job feel through. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but korvia tried to blame us for it falling through and gave me some ridiculous reasons and when I called them on it they just stopped returning our calls and emails.

At that point, I called GEPIK and was told there were no openings in GEPIK for September (2008) and all the jobs had been full. I was quite discouraged. I told this to my co-teacher and he called another GEPIK school about 15 minutes from us and got my wife an interview the next day. She was hired on the spot and is working there now.

Sorry for the long story. I wouldn't trust anyone who tells you there aren't opening in GEPIK (even if it's GEPIK themselves). There are always openings in GEPIK. Also, I wouldn't assume a job is yours until you've got the signed contract in hand. Good luck with your search.