Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HagwonKanobi77]

So I've secured a teaching job in Gwangju that will start the 1st of September, but I've not seen an interview--like I did for my previous job. Does this seem a bit odd to anyone else? Did anyone else get a job without an interview?

[Feloria]

What kind of job is it?
When you say "no interview", do you mean no recruiter either?
for my first Hakwan job I didn't have an interview, but I did deal with a recruiter at length.

[rayray123]

I didn't have an interview for my last job at a GEPIK public high school. It seemed odd to me too, but it turned out to be a good job.

[HagwonKanobi77]

No I've talked to the recruiter quite a bit, but I've had no verbal contact of any kind with the director and it looks like I won't for this whole process which is the part that seems strange. I was just wondering if this might be any red flag to consider.

[bobrocket]

Reminds of a sub job, I was given the wrong directions and ended up at the wrong school, I didn't know, the teachers didn't know, got given a weeks timetable and everything.
Recruiter rang me 2 days later wanting to know why I hadn't turned up to work, which was weird because I was working at the time.

[Ramen]

i got several job offers just by sending my resume and picture. if you are good looking they just want you. no questions asked.

[jrwhite82]

Talking to a director is second to talking to an existing/previous teacher.

The interview is usually BS anyway because the directors English is usually terrible. They just want to hear you talk to make sure sound like an American/Canadian.

What you really should want is to talk to an existing teacher there. He can tell you if everything is on the up and up. Don't talk to him with the recruiter or director listening in either.

[ajosshi]

[ajosshi]

[Ramen]

[eschoonard]

My opinion is that you may be looking at this in the wrong light. If you're looking for any job possible, then go for it.

I wouldn't take a job without an interview. I think as a teacher in Korea, the interview should be mainly for you to interview the school not the other way around.

Yes, talking to a current teacher is good. But, as a teacher that has been told to reply to such e-mails, I've had to print a copy of my correspondence for my director each time.

So, I simply write two e-mails. One with the hagwon point of view, and one with a more honest pro-con type approach which is good for any prospective job seeker.

The main benefit to talking to you director yourself (providing that language isn't a barrier) and asking direct questions about the hagwon is that they will either.

a) respect you because you are a conscientious teacher, provided that you aren't rude in the questioning.

b) Be less likely to take advantage of you during the year because they don't perceive you as a weak pushover.

c) Not hire you because they realize they can't push you around like a rag doll.

Either way, it'll help you figure out if it's a place you really want to be or not.

Hope it helps.