Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ohhellojanie]

I posted a few days ago trying to clear up some details about GEPIK/SMOE/EPIK and got some really helpful responses. I'm not quite so stressed out as I was then now that I know I'm not too late to land a job for Spring. I am waiting on my letters of rec right now, have my resume ready to go and am working on my lesson plan for the EPIK-SMOE application.

I'm wondering whether anyone has specific recruiters to recommend for someone in my position? Here are some details about me:

Female, age 23
First-time teacher
No TEFL/TESOL certification
BA in English (& Psychology)
Would strongly prefer to work in Seoul or at least in Gyeonggi-do
Hoping to have my application ready to submit in 1-2 weeks from now (basically as soon as my letters of rec get back to me)

I have been emailing with Lindsay from SayKimchi recruiting, and she's been very nice and responsive but I don't feel committed to using SayKimchi at this point (mostly because she wasn't terribly encouraging when I mentioned I was hoping to work in Seoul even though it's my first time). I was thinking of looking at Footprints or PlanetESL instead, any opinions on them or other recruiters to recommend? Alhough I'm more nervous about going this route because it's my first time applying to teach abroad, I was also going to try posting my resume to Dave's job board to increase my chances of hearing from a school in/near Seoul this late in the game.

Thanks in advance guys! I know these kinds of questions get asked all the time but I really appreciate any guidance! :]

[Skippy]

Oh! Hello! Janie

Not much experience in your situation, but am going to say - good post and good start. Praise the Lord - somebody with brains! Which bodes well for you.

Sounds like you have got your **** together.

The problem is you are trying for an area where many many people want to go. You are competing against people who are already in country. The people in country are probably the easier people to deal with for the program.

Second, the area you chose has some problems. Last year many people who had been hired by SMOE, told to people come over your hired, and later told them at last minute not to come. Some people got royally messed with.

Also, in the last couple of months, there has been some cut backs and rumblings of program changes. So getting a Seoul placement got a little harder.

Just a quick question is what is your reason for wanting Seoul? Is it you want a city first time? Friends and family in area? You may want to consider trying some of the other cities like Daegu, Pusan or Daejeon.

One last piece of advice. The more you help yourself and get yourself ready - I feel - the more likely you will get what you want. So get all your paperwork done, prepare as much as you can, and get a secondary plan in motion.

Good Luck!

[ohhellojanie]

I don't know anyone in Seoul but I expect that the higher density of foreigners there compared to other places would make me feel more at ease. I know that's not what some people want when living abroad, but this would be my first "real" job post-graduation and my first time living farther than an hour's drive from home. Living in a very metropolitan area, with lots of things to see and do, also appeals to me greatly. If not Seoul, I would consider living in Incheon, but not much farther out than that.

I have heard about the awful situation some people found themselves in last year... and I realize how competitive the market is for schools in the Seoul area. But I'm still willing to take my chances and aim high for my first attempt, even if I end up getting rejected and applying again for Fall '12.

[jamesd]

[isitts]

[bentobento]

Um, isn't she already above a level 3 because of her BA in English?

That should qualify her without her having to take a TEFL course if I remember correctly. Anyway, I'm in the same boat (want to work in Seoul, first timer, female, early 20's, never lived more than an hr away). I'm not sure how fast their positions fill up, but you'd probably have a good shot for a hagwon position if PS doesn't work out.

[isitts]

[morningsoju]

if you change your mind and want to work at a hagwon, i know someone who would give you 10 job offers right now, either in Seoul or Gyeonggi.

[ohhellojanie]

Although I'm sure TEFL/TESOL certification would help me out a lot, for what it's worth EPIK-SMOE does accept applicants with English or Education BAs but are not TEFL/TESOL certified.

My GPA is relatively high (within both of my majors, 3.8, in general, 3.73).

bentobento - great to hear from someone in the same situation! Have you already sent in your application to EPIK, or are you going about applying on your own?

morningsoju - I know I'll always have the option of applying for hagwon positions, but to be completely honest I've read too many horror stories on this board and elsewhere. Maybe after I have a year of experience in teaching, but probably not for my first time.

[ohhellojanie]

[bentobento]

Amen. I feel the same. I'm sure there are plenty of positive hagwon experiences, but it seems less stable compared to PS.

My recruiter (Korvia) sent my application in when the application date opened. I'm still waiting to hear when my interview will be. I've been through this whole process with EPIK before, up to sending documents. I had to drop out shortly after. I'm hoping everything goes smoothly this time.

[isitts]

[ohhellojanie]

[The Floating World]

You can get an online 100hr 20 units tefl cert from ittt for around 200usd (they put it on sale from time to time for 100usd.) You might as well do it, it will only take you a week or two to complete and for that small ammount of investment might help your chances significanly. Or it could actually hinder them if it puts you in a higher wage bracket and the schools are tightening their budgets. Ask your recruiters (worknplay, korvia are very good for public schools in Seoul / gyeongi and get assgined a large portion of the jobs.)

Seoul is a great place to work and get to meet lots of other foriegners, but Busan and Daegu have everything Seoul has and are equally saturated with other foriegners. I do understand your outlook though and for my first job in Korea I was not willing to accept anywhere else. These days though I'm moving to Busan which has an awesom vibe and international feel to it, so if you can't land a Seoul job, keep Busan and Daegu in mind too, because the foriegner scenes there are just as thriving and, even more tighter and more personal in some ways.

[bentobento]