Korean Job Discussion Forums

indyflyguy · Joined: 17 Apr 2009

Hey everyone-

I have read some threads about these interviews. I have mine tomorrow in Chicago. Just wondering if anyone has gone lately, and has any words of advice?

I'm planning on dressing business-casual. Is this OK?

Thanks in advance!

Kikomom · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:25 am Post subject:

Eat at Hot Doug's for that Chicago dog experience.

If you have NOA for a ps, this is just a formality. If it's a hagwon, they seem a little more pickier.

- Bring contact info with you, who to call in Korea (recruiter, school) in case there's a mix up with your visa issuance number.
- Bring contact info for your University in case they want to verify your degree.
- Know the origin of your last name. That's what they asked Zippy. (He's Sicilian--or so he claims.)

Now that you started this thread, you are now obligated to finish it with a report of how it went for you. Smile

indyflyguy · Joined: 17 Apr 2009

Thanks for that info! I'm about to hop on a flight to Chi-town right now. Will be sure to update this thread after the interview! Smile

)

indyflyguy · Joined: 17 Apr 2009

Alright, just got back from my "interview", here's the run-down:

I arrived at the NBC building around 10:00 am, for my 10:30 am appointment. Well, it soon became obvious that EVERYONE is scheduled for the same time. There were about 15-20 of us waiting (with sitting room for about half of that). We waited in line to check-in, and give the receptionist our paperwork and cash. (Again, I'm about 30 minutes early, and waiting in line).

They had us go into a room in pairs. The interview literally consisted of two questions (What is your motive for going to Korea? What is your work experience after college?)

He then said "OK, that's it. Thank you." And the two of us left. I was so nervous about the whole thing, that I never asked if the visa was approved or not, as I had felt that everything was golden. Of course, now, I'm scared that I might not have passed the whole thing!

I left the building around 11:10 am. So a little over an hour from start to finish - and the actual interview lasting approximately 3 minutes for two of us.

I guess I'll have to wait until next week to see if I have "the golden ticket" in my passport!

And, just in case this thread is dug up in the future, here's some directions from O'Hare Airport:

Take the Blue Line to Grand/Milwaukee.
Go up the stairs, and across the street, and take the #65 bus towards Navy Pier.
Get off at Illinois/St. Clair.
Look straight ahead - you'll see the NBC symbol on a big building. Just walk towards it (or, walk forward to the first stop-light, take a right, and the building will be on your right)

weebil · Joined: 24 May 2009

how long does it take after the interview to get the actual visa? ive heard some consulates give it to immediately after youre done with the interview, while some make you wait 2-3 business days then mail your passport back to you with the visa.

also, is business casual a good mode of dress?

if i want a multiple reentry visa should i mention that at the interview? does it cost extra?

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

Ya, had my interview with the Toronto consulate last August and it was the absolute same 2 question waste of time...

My visa was ready for pick-up 3 days later...

As long as you don't show up looking like a hobo, the consulate interview is nothing more than a Waegook parade to make it look like the K-government cares about who they let in...

espoir · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon, South Korea

indyflyguy · Joined: 17 Apr 2009

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Can someone (nicely) explain this interview thing?...

...I've been out of the K-ESL industry since 2000 and will be getting back in. We did not have interviews back then.

I just came from going to the Korean Consulate in Atlanta for my Korean wife to get her immigrant passport renewed - with the electronic chip whatever like I got in my renewed American passport - and I saw a group of about 4 TESOL-looking come in with a consulate person looking like they might have just had some kind of interview.

---- I also found out that I can't get the F series spousal visa if my wife is going to remain at her job here in the US while I go to Korea for a year to help her mother and family after her father recently died. (We started this planning after we learned he had terminal cancer and he just passed recently).

I had hoped maybe her mother or sister could be the sponsor, but the consulate said no. So, I'll have to go with the E-2, and I guess I'll have to interview for it too now.....

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Back when I first went to Korea, we had to go to the consulate to apply for the visa and get it stamped, but there was no interview...

Kikomom · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

Iggy, if they ask why you want to teach in Korea, tell them exactly what you just told us. That you taught there previously (this may be on the visa application), and the story of your wife's family..

Carla · Joined: 21 Nov 2008

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Technically son-in-law...

I'm not worried about the interview at all.

It just means I will not be able to go down there at my own convenience to get the visa whenever I get a job that sends over for it. They'll have to set a date for me to come which will likely mean a delay...

...and it is becoming close to the point I'll have to conclude SMOE isn't going to send the visa stuff over anyway...

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Thanks Carla...

I've thought about that as a plan D or E or F...

We were trying to coordinate our goings over to overlap anyway. Her mother didn't want her to rush over immediately but to wait until other visiting family had left and whatnot.

It looked like we could do it since I had good job hits from SMOE and an university, but the college gig just hit a landmine and I have no idea what will happen with SMOE now...

I've started the job hunt again, and my wife will need to go over by the end of this month.

Given everything, I don't really want to ask my wife to go to the trouble of changing the visa in the short period of time she'll be over there this first visit even if we can work it so that we're both in Korea at the same time.

Next year, depending on the teaching job market back in the US, and what I can find in Korea, she might come back over to Korea to stay if we decide to live in Korea for a couple of years. We'll handle the F visas then. Right now just isn't worth it to push for...

masayamahal · Joined: 22 May 2009

I had a different experience than everyone.

I did my consulate interview at the Korean Consulate in LA, Korea Town, on the horrendous Wilshire Blvd and the corner of New Hampshire, close by Vermont.

Well I came in time for my appointment, but they lagged, probably Korean time. The guy who interviewed me, just look at my paperwork. And asked what countries I've been to. Then he asked if I've ever been to Korea. Then just made some comments about the city I'm teaching at. It was relatively short, like around 3 mins and I was expecting like some epic interview.

I was just worried that my parking meter would run out of time, and I had no coins, just dollar bills.

Then I came back around 3 PM to pick up my E-2 Visa.

edit: One more thing, I dressed business casual.