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mandon't
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 6:47 am Post subject: Are recruiters the best / only way to teach under GEPIK? |
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I'm aiming at Fall 2011 and GEPIK has the best offer, while keeping me within reach of friends in Seoul and Incheon.
GEPIK's site is bizarrely out of date, but reading ads posted here the program seems to be ongoing. I want to choose my location carefully because I need hiking opportunities and reasonably quick commute into Seoul. Gwanmyeong looks perfect for my goals!
Should I answer an ad that sounds right, or should I contact a recruiter like Korvia (reviews?) and ask them if they can find me a good spot?
Also, once I have a visa, am I bound to the agency that helped me get it? Can I entertain other offers? What if I'm about to start a job that looks okay, and I spy an ad for an amazing opportunity/location, am I SooL?
Thanks! |
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Redcap
Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:05 am Post subject: |
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Other people's mileage may have varied, but in my experience as an EPIK applicant, teaching location was not pre-determined prior to arrival in Korea.
Instead, teaching locations were assigned on the final day of the EPIK orientation. Not so surprisingly, this ran contrary to what my recruiter said. He told me that since I got my application in early, I would be given priority on location choice. Of course, nothing could have been farther than the truth. On the final day of the EPIK orientation, we were marched into a room one by one ( starting with those whose surnames began with the letter A), and asked where we wanted to teach. Having the misfortune of a surname beginning with a letter near the end of the alphabet, you can imagine the pickings were a bit slim by the time it was my turn. When it was finally my turn, I requested a certain location, but was told that all the vacancies in my preferred location had already been filled.
If a recruiting agency claims that they can guarantee a specific location, ask them to put it in writing, along with the proviso that they will pay your airfare back to Canada if your preferred location falls through.
You won't find any takers. |
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vw08
Joined: 08 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:15 am Post subject: |
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As far as I understand, for EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE, you have to go through a recruiter. They are the ones who will work with you to compile all of your paperwork and send it to the appropriate office in Korea.
It is not like signing up to work at a hogwon, do a bit of research online about the application process. The application process and some if the documents required are different than those required to apply for a hogwon.
Check out a few different recruiting agencies before you pick one. The way they answer your questions and the promptness of their replies will help you pick the one that is right for you. |
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dyc
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Redcap wrote: |
Other people's mileage may have varied, but in my experience as an EPIK applicant, teaching location was not pre-determined prior to arrival in Korea.
Instead, teaching locations were assigned on the final day of the EPIK orientation. Not so surprisingly, this ran contrary to what my recruiter said. He told me that since I got my application in early, I would be given priority on location choice. Of course, nothing could have been farther than the truth. On the final day of the EPIK orientation, we were marched into a room one by one ( starting with those whose surnames began with the letter A), and asked where we wanted to teach. Having the misfortune of a surname beginning with a letter near the end of the alphabet, you can imagine the pickings were a bit slim by the time it was my turn. When it was finally my turn, I requested a certain location, but was told that all the vacancies in my preferred location had already been filled.
If a recruiting agency claims that they can guarantee a specific location, ask them to put it in writing, along with the proviso that they will pay your airfare back to Canada if your preferred location falls through.
You won't find any takers. |
Wow that's pretty BS. My last name starts with Y so if this is the usual method, then I'm almost fated to the boonies. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| OP, if there is a specific location in GEPIK that you want, then insist on that location. Tell the recruiter what you want. You have some good reasons for choosing that location so don't take no for an answer. I've never dealt with EPIK so I don't know how they do things. |
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mandon't
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| OP, if there is a specific location in GEPIK that you want, then insist on that location. Tell the recruiter what you want. You have some good reasons for choosing that location so don't take no for an answer. I've never dealt with EPIK so I don't know how they do things. |
So the recruiter might have some influence on that?
If I'm sitting here in Canada, there's no way I can just answer a job posting for a good spot, because I don't yet have a visa?
Do I need to do a tour over there before I can pick a job, or can the visa application be separate from the job-opportunity? |
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Redcap
Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:45 am Post subject: |
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OP: You need a job offer in order to get the visa. And you will only be able to get the work visa at the Korean embassy or consulate in your HOME country. So even if you decided to come over to Korea and look for work, you would still have to return to Canada in order to have your work visa processed. Bottom line, apply for the GEPIK job in Canada.
There are 2 ways to apply for the GEPIK/EPIK :
1) Via online application
2) Through a recruiter
Why don't you simply contact a Canadian based recruiting company and discuss your issues with them ? As I suggested before, if they make any claims related to guaranteeing a location, have them put it in writing. |
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Illysook
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:17 am Post subject: |
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| Make sure to put in an application with SMOE as well. I may not be the greatest teacher here but I think that my co-teacher is telling me the truth when she says that due to budget cuts they can only keep me until June and will not have an FT for the rest of the school year, and I'll bet that my school isn't the only one. |
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mandon't
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:03 am Post subject: |
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| Illysook wrote: |
| Make sure to put in an application with SMOE as well. I may not be the greatest teacher here but I think that my co-teacher is telling me the truth when she says that due to budget cuts they can only keep me until June and will not have an FT for the rest of the school year, and I'll bet that my school isn't the only one. |
I'd be happy in Seoul, but the contract with SMOE looks less pleasant than GEPIK. I'll reread them both!
What about the jobs offered on the job-board here at Dave's? Would they include a visa if I respond to them, or are they only for veteran teachers? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:19 am Post subject: |
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| mandon't wrote: |
| What about the jobs offered on the job-board here at Dave's? Would they include a visa if I respond to them, or are they only for veteran teachers? |
All jobs include a visa. You can't work without one.
I strongly suggest you read the FAQs.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewforum.php?f=7
Getting a Job - Korea Vs Japan, Taiwan and China
Getting a Job - Things You Need to Know
Getting a Job -Hagwons, Unis, EPIK & Public Schools
Getting Organised to Come to Korea
Contracts - Health Insurance, Pension, Severance etc.
Visas
You clearly don't understand the role of the recruiter in the process.
All recruiters have complaints against them.
ALL recruiters are good.
The trick is in understanding what they are and what they do.
They are a bridge to a job that you would not otherwise find.
| ttompatz wrote: |
Really, when it comes to a recruiter, who cares where they are from or where they are based?
A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
Unless you have an extensive network of friends and/or colleagues in your target country OR can read/write and speak the local language and can apply directly they are a necessary evil.
REPEAT: A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
Hello Mr. English speaker this is Mr Hakwon owner.
Mr. hakwon owner, this is Mr. English speaker.
Mr. English speaker, here is the contract. Please read and sign.
School, here is the signed contract. Pay me.
Good bye.
-You are not paying them anything (or you shouldn't be).
-THEY DO NOT WORK FOR YOU! - They work for the school.
-They owe you nothing once you get here.
-They are not your friend.
-They are not your baby sitter.
-They cannot help you if things go to *beep* after you get here.
Beyond that it is YOUR responsibility to check the school out.
Do NOT trust ANY recruiter. They are like used car salesmen. They will lie and sell their soul to get the signature on the contract.
Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned.
Use the recruiters for what they are. Use more than one and keep going until you get what you want. There is no rush and there is certainly no shortage of jobs.
When it comes to the school - again - repeat - Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE.
1st - READ the contract over very carefully. If that doesn't scare you away then...
The best you can do is minimize the risk by talking to MORE THAN ONE of the foreign staff and ask POINTED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS (*when the boss is NOT listening over their shoulder). Don't accept non-specific answers and broad generalizations.
No foreign staff references to talk (directly and via e-mail) to = walk away now.
Accept NO EXCUSES for any reason.
ONE CAVEAT: if it is a public school there may not be a Native English Speaker to talk to but there is a chain of command OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL (your POE liaison) if you have problems and they are more strict in following the terms of the contract.
7777 |
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gogophoto
Joined: 20 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="ttompatz"]
| mandon't wrote: |
...
All recruiters have complaints against them.
ALL recruiters are good.
The trick is in understanding what they are and what they do.
They are a bridge to a job that you would not otherwise find.
| ttompatz wrote: |
Really, when it comes to a recruiter, who cares where they are from or where they are based?
A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
Unless you have an extensive network ...
....
7777 |
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This should really just be a sticky unto itself--or maybe it should be required reading, with a comprehensive exam that must be passed to register for the forums... |
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mandon't
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks so much!
I have looked over the FAQ section, but so much of the info is 7 or 8 years old, and I know that since then the rules have changed so much that I was discouraged. I'll look again!
You've cleared up a a lot! I think I overestimated the importance of the "August start" and "March start" dates. So really I could start a GEPIK job at any time, so long as the job-posting is hiring under GEPIK?
I like the suggestion of contacting an existing English-instructor at the school, thanks! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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| mandon't wrote: |
Thanks so much!
I have looked over the FAQ section, but so much of the info is 7 or 8 years old, and I know that since then the rules have changed so much that I was discouraged. I'll look again!
You've cleared up a a lot! I think I overestimated the importance of the "August start" and "March start" dates. So really I could start a GEPIK job at any time, so long as the job-posting is hiring under GEPIK?
I like the suggestion of contacting an existing English-instructor at the school, thanks! |
Except for the addition of the apostille there is NOTHING that has significantly changed in the E2 application process for public school positions since 2001. (The CRC was always a requirement).
There is also the addition of the CRC + apostilles for hakwans that was added in 2008 (and was not required prior to that).
That old stuff is still pretty much valid and reasonably accurate.
As to hiring:
GEPIK (the recruitment program run by the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education (GPOE)) only hires twice per year but schools within Gyeonggi province (and under the jurisdiction of the GPOE) are constantly hiring so yes, it is possible to get a PS job with a GEPIK contract and outside of the main recruitment drives.
. |
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mandon't
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:33 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
That old stuff is still pretty much valid and reasonably accurate.
As to hiring:
GEPIK (the recruitment program run by the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education (GPOE)) only hires twice per year but schools within Gyeonggi province (and under the jurisdiction of the GPOE) are constantly hiring so yes, it is possible to get a PS job with a GEPIK contract and outside of the main recruitment drives.
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Taking an offer from a specific school seems like it will likely work better with my requirements and hopes.
Can you name any disadvantages to this approach?
eg: I might try to answer an ad for a September start rather than do the August drive. |
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