Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Globutron]

I'm pretty sure this kind of post has been done 47 times before, but in light of all the n00bs - including myself - trying to apply and get there who all seem to be getting confused, I figured I'll write one out in recent topics for people to read. Plus I have 3 days to do absolutely nothing before leaving.

Others should add too in case I forget anything, Plus it's different in the UK than it is USA, so USA people might want to change details.

Step 1
Google, or use Dave's, or other websites you may know of to find a recruiter, or better yet find a school advertising themselves.

Step 2
Contact them, providing a CV/resume and a nice photo of you looking approachable. I provided a couple, one looking formal and one just... what I'm like when all casual.

Step 3
I put this in third place because although it could be ideal to do this *first*, it depends on if you're willing to spend the money before you're certain you even stand a chance or not.
Apply for a Criminal Background Check. For me, I found the application form online, put it along with a photocopy of my passport and �10 in an envelope, and handed it in to the local police station.

Step 4
Get a bunch of University Transcripts. Just E-mail the Uni or better yet call them, and ask for... 5 or 6 sealed ones to be stamped with the University stamp. Keep them sealed, never open them.
Make sure they are separate, because I ended up receiving 4 in one envelope, leaving me with none now

Step 5
Grab your University degree certificate and Criminal Background Check and Apostille application form, and send it off to be Apostillised/Notarized (for Canada). Again just Google, I can't be bothered to find the links for every English-speaking country.
Provide the cash it asks for. I could do this by writing down my Debit card details on the application form.
Bear in mind, although you don't need the official certificate to be apostilled, just a copy should do, my school asked for the official copy anyway, so I ended up sending both a stamped copy and the original

Step 6
After a length of time anywhere between a day and 6 months, you'll find a school through the recruiters willing to take you on, who will organise a phone interview, or even a video file of you answering given questions in interview style.
In my case they just called me and thought I sounded nice, so accepted me.

Step 7
They'll e-mail a contract, you print it, sign it

Step 8
Get a self-health statement if they ask for it.
Send 1 transcript, 1 certificate, 1 contract, 1 photo, 1 health statement and 1 Criminal Background Check to the address they give you in Korea.
Do this recorded special delivery, or whatever the equivalent is called that can provide a reference number. DHL, Fedex etc.

Step 9
Wait for that end to do its business. If all is good, they'll email you a Visa number. With this, you fill in ANOTHER application form via Google, the Visa one. Fill it in and throw it, along with the money they ask for, your actual passport, another transcript, a Visa check-list, a return envelope and a return address (and maybe another resume) in a big envelope and send off to the closest Korean Embassy.
OR travel there yourself and hand it in/pick it up, saving yourself a couple of days. I wasn't willing to spend another �40 to get to London.

Step 10
They will probably ask you for an interview, or a video interview. England seems much more lenient on this. I asked and they required no interview, no transcript.

Step 11
Tell your guys in Korea and they'll book the flights accordingly. Or they might be decent enough to actually wait until you have the Visa and passport BACK, as to not risk late post and last minute panic waiting for it to come back to you.
I suppose you could just not tell them until you have the passport back...

Step 12
Print off the flight E-ticket they give you. Or, if you're paying for the flight to be reimbursed later, just do it however. Pack your bags and get the hell out of my country.

Missing anything?[/i]

[.38 Special]

You've been a Hell of a help to the newbies lately, chief.

Now if some wondrous soul would compile such a list for we Yankees...

[Globutron]

Hey I've been watching this forum for months without being able to log in and say anything. It was about time I made up for it.

For you Rednecks, It's essentially the same as far as I'm aware. things will be quicker, and you have to have more interviews and pay different prices but that's about it I think.

[lifeinkorea]

Do yew really recon I am a redneck? I kaint believe yew would stereotype us all as rednecks.

(Translation by http://www.rednecktranslator.com/ )

[.38 Special]

I be so dayamned oh-ffended right nah that I gone go oil ma fye-ahms!

Actually, after my extended hospital stay I really ought to at least oil my pistols. Haven't done that in a while...

Yeah, I'm a redneck, so what, ya wanna fightaboutit?

And with my screen name there should be no surprises...

[Globutron]

I was unaware Redneck was an insult =\ I just thought you were split into Yanks (the annoying baseball jocks) and rednecks (farmers) *shrug* =P

Anyway, Bump

[PatrickGHBusan]

Good list.

Clear and concise.

I would add a preliminary step....


Sit down, do some reading about Korea and ESL then ask yourself these simple questions....write down your answers if you need to.

Q1 Why do I want to teach English in Korea?

Q2 Do I want to teach and what does that imply?

Q3 What are my qualifications?

Q4 What are my experiences (the relevant ones)?

Q5 Where do I want to teach in Korea? (City, countryside)

Q6 What employer do I prefer and what level (Hakwon, PS, Kids, Adults) and do I qualify?

Q7 What are the rules and limitations of the visa I will applying for?

Once thats done you know why you want to go (will determine to a large extent how you do in Korea), where and who you wish to be employed by. You will also have a realistic idea of your worth on the market and hence will be able to judge offers more objectively.

The prepare your documents and follow those 12 steps.

[Globutron]

Heh yeah that is pretty vital. I don't think it's a good idea to go 'for the money' whether it sucks or otherwise. Because you're essentially wasting a year of your life for something you'll spend on feck all aside chocolate and debt anyway.

So definitely best to get your head sorted before even considering the 12 steps.