Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Heisenberg87]

So I just received EPIK's staggering guidelines for reference letters and I really don't think I'll be able to provide them with what they want by April 1st. Do they keep the originals you would send? If so, that is a major problem as I would still need the originals to apply to hagwons or other public school programs, right? My old bosses or teachers might not be comfortable writing and signing two different original letters.

[grant gerstners]

I have not read the current guidelines, but when I was applying two years ago I could not use a former employer and it had been over a decade since I had been in a university class.

One of my acquaintances was a retired minister (actually on disability) and he had the time to write me a nice letter. I think the guideline at the time stated that the letter had to be a "professional reference" on official letterhead, and he was able to provide that, with his denominational affiliation and credentials (M.Div., etc).

Plus I was a volunteer tutor at a literacy group working with immigrants and I got a reference letter from the volunteer coordinator; and one from another volunteer who was a retired professor and had observed my interaction with my adult pupils.

Consider also a family friend, or relative with a different last name, who will write one for you.

I have read on this forum that no one really expects the Koreans to look closely at the reference letters (if they can even read them).

Anyway, to your particular concern: it's just a matter of printing several copies of each letter and putting an ink signature on each and getting them into separate envelopes. I remember also feeling like it was a "huge" request.

At first I scanned one of the originals to email for the initial part of the application, and didn't submit an original until later.

Like you, I had asked for several copies (meaning signed originals) in case things did not work out in South Korea and I ended up applying for jobs someplace else, like maybe Thailand. But that hasn't happened yet and I still have the originals in their envelopes, which are now about two years old (I'm in my second contract).

[Ksamsoon]

You wouldn't need 2 different original letters. A teaching reference letter should include things regarding your professionalism, hard work, ability to work well with students and staff - these are all things that translate over to ANY teaching job and can be used for public schools OR hagwons.

What I did was write an email to my previous employers outlining what must be included in the letter. I also attached a sample reference letter, formatted to follow the EPIK guidelines, and told them to change the letter in any way they want that best speaks to my abilities, but to retain the format (must be on letterhead, email, contact, etc.). This way, you are doing most of the work and it feels less like a burden on them.

Like grant gerstners, I also had my employer print out 2 copies and sign them both, and had them scanned and emailed to me so I could use that copy instead of the original when applying. You don't have to submit the original until you are actually offered the job. You can have 1 original mailed to your recruiter (if you have one) and keep the other original for future use.

Hope that helps and good luck!

[young_clinton]

Hey I have a good idea for you. There are plenty of Korean public school jobs that are non-EPIK or GEPIK, go for those jobs thru non-EPIK GEPIK recruiters. The down side is you won't get a public school job in the Seoul Metro area, but there are some nice jobs in some nice cities out there that are not EPIK or GEPIK.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Heisenberg87]

Most of my teachers in the past have expected the letters they gave to me to be strictly confidential and left sealed until they reached their intended destination, so asking for two letters from my old adviser/teacher would probably be out of the question.

If EPIK only wants the letters AFTER I get accepted, then I really don't mind. My main concern is getting rejected and then having no letters with which to apply to hagwons. Speaking of which, are hagwons as strict and demanding when it comes to reference letters?

[RK12]

Does EPIK want letters to be sealed when they're given or is opened ok? I think I remember reading on their website that they wanted you to scan them, so one would need to take them out of the envelope, yes?

[Heisenberg87]

It said in the informational e-mail they sent out that unsealed was fine.

[3DR]

Hagwons usually don't ask for reference letters. And if they do, they won't be as tight on the guidelines.