Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rayray123]

1. I really liked the high school I taught at the past year. But I was not able to renew my contract due to the GEPIK budget cuts. Should I mention the reason I am not staying there in my cover letter? My reason for thinking I should mention it is that maybe they would wonder, if I really liked my school as much as I claim, then why didn't I stay there another year.

2. I was asked for a "reference letter" from my previous school (not from a co teacher) by one recruiter. Is this just a normal letter of recommendation? What exactly is is supposed to say if it's not going to be written by someone who actually knew me and worked with me? Is it usually required when applying at a hakwon? I should have gotten one before I left, but I had a lot of other things on my mind and didn't think about it. What a mistake. I've emailed my co teacher twice now about it but haven't gotten a reply from him.

[thegadfly]

1. I would not mention it in the cover letter, but would mention it in the interview, if asked about your reasons for leaving. Your previous school may not be forthcoming about why you left -- there might be face to be lost if they say, "yeah, we had no money for him." If they DO admit it, fine, but if they do not, and you put it in your cover letter, then that is a conflict in your stories, which may raise red flags.

2. I would suggest writing a basic letter of recommendation, emailing it to the person at the school you need to sign it, and asking that person to return it to you. Write it as if you were the person, and put the person's name and dates and everything on it, with space left for the person's signature, and just ask for the signature and a return by scan.

Now that you are no longer at the school, writing a letter for you is going to fall to the bottom of most folks' "to do" lists. However, simply signing a pre-written letter may be little enough effort for someone to respond to your request.

[rayray123]