Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gunhoiguess]

Hi,
I pulled a runner a year ago because my hagwon boss was not paying me. Do I leave that off my application to teach for EPIK or any other school district, or put it on there?

When I get a new visa number, does the visa/immigration department know that I pulled a runner?

I really don't want to put this on my app. cause it wasn't my fault the boss wasn't paying and I didn't feel like teaching for free.

[jvalmer]

Of course you leave it off. Anything negative should never be put on a resume or application. It's all about how you explain it if asked about gaps or discrepancies, it's like telling a story. The more positive the story is, the better it looks. Most likely they won't ask about though.

[lifeinkorea]

It's unclear why you want to remove that part of your history or why you might want to keep it. You did hint about immigration which should not matter. I signed five 1 year contracts when I was in Korea, but I only lived there for 2.5 years.

I had absolutely no problems with immigration. Recruiters questioned me though. One, native English speaker, told me schools would not hire a teacher with my track record. However, Korean recruiters look at it differently.

So, I would be more concerned with getting a good school than visa issues. If you worked there for 6 months or more, I wouldn't worry about it. If you worked 3 months or less, then you might want to put it in after you work at another school longer. This way it won't look bad, and recruiters will more likely chalk it up to something else than you if another school hired you.

[Wishmaster]

Do you really need to post this? I mean, it is common sense. Of course, you don't post a runner on your resume. Korea is disorganized...they just want a warm body to show the parents. Nothing more. Your resume should not reflect negative work experience, geez...think, man.

[rookieglobetrotter]

I am kind of wondering about the same issue. I worked at 2 schools last year and at the end of the year my main school gave me a very bad reference out of spite (even though I went above and beyond my work expectations). Things are going well at my current school and I think I will get a good recommendation here.

If I apply for a uni or better position, should I 1) leave off my first year experience (I transferred provinces so on paper I'm a newbie) 2) write down my second school info which my eval would be average 3) list all my teaching experiences good and bad? Thanks.

[ttompatz]