Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sbeara]

My first post! I've been lurking around for awhile and soaking in all the info I can get. I'd appreciate any advice you could give me.

I'm currently in the US and I decided a couple of months ago that I want to move to Korea to teach English/improve my Korean/experience living abroad. I want to have the security of arriving in Korea with a job lined up, and I was just wondering what the timeline is in terms of how early schools generally hire new teachers. It seems that on the job boards, the positions have a maximum start date of about 2 months ahead.

I'm looking to start in a school anytime in the month of July or early August 2007. If I apply for jobs now will schools even consider me?

Thanks!

[hubba bubba]

[Sody]

Hate to agree with Hubba, but he is right. They really do leave everything to the last minute. Your resposibility is to not get suckered into the mad rush. Take your time and make the school wait for you if you must. The school term begins on March 2nd for most schools so you will be coming in late. But it's better to secure a good school and job than to come in rushed and then be disappointed later. Don't rush it and you will be fine. BoL.

Sody

[wings]

I am in much the same situation, currently planning to go to Korea around the middle or end of August. I think I will start contacting recruiters in June, maybe a bit earlier.......

I figures the best thing to do would be to have all my documents ready prior to that. So, the questin is: What documents will I need for a standard job? I am currently not in my home country (Canada) so I figure it might take me a while to get it all sorted out.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[teachingld2004]

Origional diploma and certified copies by the Korean counsulate. DO NOT let your diploma out of YOUR hands DO NOT mail it to a recruiter or to the job you find. KEEP IT. Get yourself about 4 certified copies of your diploma.

Get about 4 sealsed transcripts.

Have your passport ready to go.

About 8 passport size photos. That is too many, but you will want to have extra ones.

Have about 1,000 in American Express Travelers checks.

[Milwaukiedave]

I tend to agree with what the rest of people have said. Things do tend to happen at the last minute. Don't be pressured taking something that you might not be comfortable with. Some recruiters will try to breath down your neck and get you to sign with the first thing they offer. Do lots and lots of research, post the contract on here before you sign it and have people look at it. Cover your ***.

[chachee99]

I will take a look at several options available, do some research, ask a few peoples opinion, then sign my life away and hope for the best. As a rule of thumb, I always request that I take care of all the documents when processing the visa. I know how to do it here in Seoul and I like to know where my stuff is at all times. Some employers may refuse this option, but it is something I highly insist on. Yes, I am paranoid.

I thought we have to submit our original degrees. I was told certified copies were not allowed?

If they accept certified copies, then I should get a few of those made ASAP. I don't care if one of those goes missing.

[teachingld2004]

Sorry, I made a mistake, I do not mean certified copies.

I just know that in New York I went to my university, and got a "Degree Verification" letter. I took this with an official transcript down to the Korean Counsulate, and for 10 dollars they put on a seal that said "Republic of Korea".

This is fine, I have used it before.

Just have a few.

[bnrockin]

Ok, let me kind of inquire a little further here about the needed documents as I am graduating this May, I want to be sure I know what I'll need.

-So sealed transcripts, no problem

-8 passport sized photo's...what are these for? Can they be informal or should they be formal? I saw on the consulate's website that they require this as well for the application form. Again, how formal should these be? Is a polo shirt ok?

-and the biggie-the diploma issue. I really need to clear up what is required with this one. If I need to bring my original diploma, then I will just order a duplicate diploma which costs 50 and will take 3 weeks to get here. I heard a few other alternatives. 1)-Degree verification letter from University 2)-Physical copy of diploma that is stamped and notarized by the university. So in any stage, will I have to bring my original diploma with me...because I'd like to avoid that if possible.

[teachingld2004]

Your origional degree is not necessary, but many recruiters will tell you it is. The degree verification letter from the university is what I use. Just take it to the Korean Counsulate and have them stamp it.

I do not know how to post a photo on here, but if you email me I can send you what I have used.

I have taken pictures of myself with my digital camera and printed them, that worked fine for my passport and visa. But if you want to put a picture on a resume, have some one take a bunch of photos for you and oick the best one. Look good.

[Gatsby]

Is it too late to apply for public school jobs? I see there are still ads.

It's going to take me two to three weeks to get a copy of my old diploma from my college. Funny, I never had to use it before to get jobs in the US.

That degree verfification letter is an interesting idea. But you know my transcript includes a statement of date of graduation and degree issued -- so I am still puzzled why I need the diploma. While we're at it, I went to two colleges. Do I need a transcript from the first one, in addition to the one I graduated from?

At any rate, I figure it is going to take 4-5 or more weeks to complete the paperwork. Can I still get a public school job and show up late?

Thanks for the help!

[huffdaddy]