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ChicagoGuy81
Joined: 05 Mar 2011
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 Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:02 am Post subject: Starting to Apply for Jobs in Korea! Need Advice |
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Hi-
This is my first time posting a thread on here and I hope it works. Here is my situation. I am 29, male, and am looking to teach in South Korea. I have been thinking of doing this for about a year and a half and timing had never been right. Well, it is now.
I have started sending my resume to recruiters in South Korea and have been hearing responses. But, I am hesitant after doing some research. Most of the places have been contacting me are trying to set me up with hagwons. From what I am reading hagwons are not the way to go because essentially they can screw you over. I guess I am looking for the public school route and when I tell that that to the agencies, I stop hearing from them. Is this normal? It's getting me very nervous about doing this. I really want to, but how should I go about doing this the right way.
Also, I have not yet done my background check. Before I invest money into the background check, my transcripts, and misc. expenses, I want to be set up with a school and feel good about it. How should I tell a recruiter that in a good way, so it doesn't think im not serious, but I am. I guess I am trying to make the best choice in schools for myself so I can get a positive experience out of going halfway around the world.
Any advice would be helpful in people who have done this or are doing it. How did you go about getting your jobs and what can you tell me what I should be looking for and doing?
Thanks so much! |
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OculisOrbis
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Nobody is going to set you up with a school without you at least having your documents. You dont have to give them to a recruiter, but you do need to have them to be taken seriously.
You can email scanned copies to prospective employers and recruiters, but dont send the actual documents until you have signed three copies of a contract (keep one) and are ready to send them back to apply for the visa. Make sure the school's signature is on the contracts before you sign them.
Get your documents in order. |
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andersondm4
Joined: 01 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Starting to Apply for Jobs in Korea! Need Advice |
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| ChicagoGuy81 wrote: |
Hi-
This is my first time posting a thread on here and I hope it works. Here is my situation. I am 29, male, and am looking to teach in South Korea. I have been thinking of doing this for about a year and a half and timing had never been right. Well, it is now.
I have started sending my resume to recruiters in South Korea and have been hearing responses. But, I am hesitant after doing some research. Most of the places have been contacting me are trying to set me up with hagwons. From what I am reading hagwons are not the way to go because essentially they can screw you over. I guess I am looking for the public school route and when I tell that that to the agencies, I stop hearing from them. Is this normal? It's getting me very nervous about doing this. I really want to, but how should I go about doing this the right way.
Also, I have not yet done my background check. Before I invest money into the background check, my transcripts, and misc. expenses, I want to be set up with a school and feel good about it. How should I tell a recruiter that in a good way, so it doesn't think im not serious, but I am. I guess I am trying to make the best choice in schools for myself so I can get a positive experience out of going halfway around the world.
Any advice would be helpful in people who have done this or are doing it. How did you go about getting your jobs and what can you tell me what I should be looking for and doing?
Thanks so much! |
If you're looking solely for a public school job I'd start with the public programs EPIK / GEPIK / SMOE.
There are plenty of recruiters that will help you apply to these programs and assist you with your visa. Korvia is a good one for public schools.
I wouldn't completely rule out privates yet, you can find good stable work and hagwons just do your homework, if they offer you a private position ask to talk to one of their current NETs, info on the school, pictures of housing, etc.
(oh and remember only apply to the public programs through one recruiter, if you apply to one from multiple recruiters they will not take your application)
You'll be able to start talks with recruiters but you wont be able to have anything set up with a school without your Background Check and all your documents already in order. They won't consider your application otherwise. . I would go ahead and get that done as soon as possible if you're planning on teaching soon.
Also a lot of your questions have been answered 100's of times over on these forums. There are countless getting a job threads that will provide you useful info. |
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minos
Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| You missed the public school hiring season....of course they don't want to talk to you. |
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ChicagoGuy81
Joined: 05 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:35 am Post subject: |
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| minos wrote: |
| You missed the public school hiring season....of course they don't want to talk to you. |
Thanks for the advice everyone! I appreciate it. When is the public school hiring season anyways? This I did not know. |
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dyc
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| ChicagoGuy81 wrote: |
| minos wrote: |
| You missed the public school hiring season....of course they don't want to talk to you. |
Thanks for the advice everyone! I appreciate it. When is the public school hiring season anyways? This I did not know. |
Typically, to work in August (mid-term hiring), they start accepting applications in April, so if you get your shit together, you may be able to get in that way.
To get in in February (beginning of term hiring), I think they start accepting apps in August. |
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millyfrend
Joined: 29 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Starting to Apply for Jobs in Korea! Need Advice |
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Get your documents in order.
| ChicagoGuy81 wrote: |
Hi-
This is my first time posting a thread on here and I hope it works. Here is my situation. I am 29, male, and am looking to teach in South Korea. I have been thinking of doing this for about a year and a half and timing had never been right. Well, it is now.
I have started sending my resume to recruiters in South Korea and have been hearing responses. But, I am hesitant after doing some research. Most of the places have been contacting me are trying to set me up with hagwons. From what I am reading hagwons are not the way to go because essentially they can screw you over. I guess I am looking for the public school route and when I tell that that to the agencies, I stop hearing from them. Is this normal? It's getting me very nervous about doing this. I really want to, but how should I go about doing this the right way.
Also, I have not yet done my background check. Before I invest money into the background check, my transcripts, and misc. expenses, I want to be set up with a school and feel good about it. How should I tell a recruiter that in a good way, so it doesn't think im not serious, but I am. I guess I am trying to make the best choice in schools for myself so I can get a positive experience out of going halfway around the world.
Any advice would be helpful in people who have done this or are doing it. How did you go about getting your jobs and what can you tell me what I should be looking for and doing?
Thanks so much! |
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Riker
Joined: 28 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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Public schools hire all year. Having your documents 100% done and in hand is the most important part.
It seems the recent regulations have put a slow down in applicants at least temporarily. |
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madtownhustl
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Riker wrote: |
Public schools hire all year. Having your documents 100% done and in hand is the most important part.
It seems the recent regulations have put a slow down in applicants at least temporarily. |
+1. I got a job at my public school and started at the end of May. I know many people who started throughout the year... |
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SCAshley
Joined: 15 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| madtownhustl wrote: |
| Riker wrote: |
Public schools hire all year. Having your documents 100% done and in hand is the most important part.
It seems the recent regulations have put a slow down in applicants at least temporarily. |
+1. I got a job at my public school and started at the end of May. I know many people who started throughout the year... |
Ditto-I got my public school job in December. The most important thing was having my documents ready-job offer to landing in Korea = less than 1 month. Most want you ASAP if it's not during the hiring season (former teacher had to leave suddenly/pulled a runner, etc) and will not wait for you to get your documents ready. If you're in the US be prepared to wait up to 12 weeks for your CBC. |
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jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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There are public school positions available all year. I'm not convinced that the hiring season is the best time to land a job. You have your largest amount of positions, but also there is a large influx of applicants. So I think it kind of balances out. When you find jobs that are off season, there are usually much less applicants.
OP - Get your documents together. The first thing you will need is a FBI Criminal Background Check (if you're American). This takes the longest. Get it done ASAP. It takes up to 3 or 4 months to get back (then it is good for 6 months). And just to be safe, do more than one. So while your FBI CBC is pending, you need to work on getting your recommendation letters and getting copies of your diploma notarized, county certified (depending on the state) and apostilled. Also send away for a BUNCH of official transcripts. Start researching different cities and programs. Start figuring out where to store or how to sell all your stuff when you leave. Read a book or two about teaching and strongly consider taking a TEFL course. (it will help prepare you for your new job and ease your transition into life here....plus give you a pay bump) |
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teatoast
Joined: 09 Mar 2011
Location: Leeds, UK
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| Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:16 am Post subject: |
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Hi everyone,
I'm pretty much in the same boat...thinking about applying to teach in South Korea from Feb/March 2012 (yep, I know it's a long way away yet) and am trying to get my head around all the options.
I have a Bachelor's Degree in English/Philosophy from a decent Uni and a CELTA qualification, although as yet I have no proper teaching experience (but may be able to get some before I'm set to leave).
So far I'm considering applying for the SMOE program thingy through Reach to Teach...does anyone have any insight/advice about this? I'm English and live in the UK.
Thanks in advance! |
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Frazer
Joined: 08 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 4:24 am Post subject: |
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I'm applying for the August/September intake with EPIK, so I'll be sending my application next month.
I have a CRB check to do (I'm about to send it off), but from what I've heard it takes only about 3-4 weeks in the UK. I'm surprised it takes 12 weeks in the US... thats incredible.
I guess its up to you where you go. I decided to go with EPIK myself, as it seems more secure working in a state-school rather than a private one. But thats only an impression that I've gathered while I've been on the forums. I'm sure Hagwons are pretty good if you do your research properly.
Best of luck friend!
-Frazer |
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