Ask a Recruiter...

[HandsKorea]

Hi Asegura,

You can and should talk with as many recruiters as you would like to, because every recruiting company only has so many positions available. There are always more candidates than there are positions, so you should do what you can to widen your net. Make sure you notify the other companies though, if you happen to land a job, so that they can stop searching for positions for you.

If you are trying to find a public school job in Gyeongido, it's really no problem at all, as GEPIK doesn't really "enroll" you into their program until you have signed a contract.

EPIK works in much the same way, but some recruiters will ask you to fill out an EPIK application form before they actually find you a position. You may choose to do this, but you are not bound to work with that recruiting agency by any means. There is no law in Korea that states that you must stick with one recruiting agency to find a job.

[Troglodyte]

Yep you passed. 

You should have asked him about whether or not a teacher can cancel his own visa at the airport when leaving a contract early.

http://www.waygook.org/index.php/topic,41785.msg271443.html#msg271443

[Jinhee23]

Thanks for offering to answer questions! This is really helpful :D

How much of an effect does being a gyopo have on someone who wants a job with GEPIK? I'm a Korean-American and I've heard it can be much harder to get a position because many schools prefer an English teacher who actually looks foreign. Personally, I think this is extremely unfortunate because in many cases, I think having a teacher who is bilingual to certain degree can help people learn English. Of course, my opinion is besides the point, but I would just like to know if I stand a chance of getting a job in next spring's GEPIK intake.

Also, I've heard that a TESOL course is not required for GEPIK and EPIK if you have a degree in a related field. Is this true? (I have a degree in English)

Thank you again for your kind offer to be a resource to us!

[HandsKorea]

Hi Jinhee,

You will find lots of topics on this, and lots of differing opinions. Good thing you found the right guy to ask

It is much harder to place a gyopo candidate, as most schools, especially public, prefer Caucasian teachers. However, if you are persistent, and talk to enough people, you have a really good shot.

Here's what you should do:

- make a really nice, professional resume, with the best profile picture you can get. Add a nicely written cover letter, and send extra photos of yourself when you are talking with recruiters. Image is all-important in Korea, so choose good pictures.

- Make a 3-4 minute profile video, where you can introduce yourself and talk about why you want to be a teacher. Do a couple minutes of a mock lesson plan, so they can see your teaching style. Make sure you come across as outgoing and energetic. You don't want to make a boring video! Post it to youtube so you can send the link to different people.

- Talk to multiple recruiters, but make sure you are keeping track of who you are speaking with, and the offers they are sending you! You don't want to get things mixed up. Be organized with your job search, and write stuff down. Be detailed.

- Be flexible with your location and starting date. 99% of people want to work in Seoul. Guess, what? It's probably not happening. There are lots of great locations in Korea that are not in Seoul.

- Get your F4 visa done as soon as possible. It's much easier/appealing to deal with a teacher candidate who has their paperwork in order, or totally completed. An F4 visa is relatively easy to acquire, and once it's done, you won't have to mess with your visa for another 5 years.

- Don't listen to what other people have to say. Seriously, everyone thinks they are an expert on the matter, but nobody really knows what they're talking about. I've read some outrageously inaccurate information on this and other sites, so if  you want advice, talk to a recruiter. You have a good chance as long as you put in the effort, and keep in touch with the agencies that you are working with. Remember, we have to deal with hundreds of candidates, often for a handful of positions, so make yourself stand out.

Do  all of this, and you should have no problems finding a job in Korea. GEPIK has cut back on jobs this fall, but hopefully they'll give some of them back in the spring. Just keep trying, though.

[tails]

How much does my degree subject count towards finding a job, my degree is design related which I think is not helping me?

I take it this is the place to find you http://handskorea.com/index_e.php 

Thanks

[cfrazee06]

Jozigirl:

I would highly recommend that your friend take an online 100 hr TESOL/TEFL certification course, as it a requirement now to work at a public school in Korea, and even in some hagwons.

There are many cheap online courses where you can get your accreditation for as low as a couple hundred bucks, and honestly, it makes no difference where it's from. Many people pay a lot of money to take classroom TESL courses, and as far as job preparation or resume building are concerned, my personal feeling is that it's basically a waste of money, unless you are pursuing a professional TESOL degree of over 600 hours.
There is simply no 100 hour course, classroom or otherwise, that is going to really prepare you to teach ESL in Korea, but it fulfills the hiring criteria, and that's all that matters. You will get your real training on the job.


Matthew

Honestly, the market is not kind to teachers over 40 years of age, but that doesn't mean you can't find a good job. There are definite preferences in Korea regarding age, race, nationality, etc.. and for people who don't necessarily fit the mold, per se, you just have to try a little harder, and be more patient.

Talk to as many different people as you can, and make sure you are submitting a good picture and resume. Make a short 3-4 minute introduction video and post it to youtube so you can attach the link to the resume.
Unfortunately for a lot of schools and hagwons, qualifications don't mean as much as image, so you need to present the best possible image of yourself as  you can.

You should make yourself as open to as many opportunities as possible, especially universities and high schools, as they are much more likely to higher an "older" candidate such as yourself. Most elementary schools and middle schools, public and private, want a young person because they are seen as having more energy and relating better to the younger kids, but high schools are more interested in teaching ability and experience.

Hope this info helps.

I can't really solicit my services or ask for resumes on this site, unless it's for a job that I've posted in the Job Posting section, but I am always willing to answer questions for you in a PM.

The part about the youtube video really bothers the crap out of me. Do schools understand that some people just don't want to put a video up of themselves doing some cheesy self introduction in a place where anyone can view it?

There's this great program called Skype. You can make video phone calls on it. Korea has the fastest internet in the world. Why not just ask to do an interview over Skype?

I'm sorry. This matter is a little tender to me right now because my last recruiter insisted that it would be hard for him to find me a teaching position if I didn't make one of thos youtube videos, despite the fact that I've been teaching in Korea for over 3 years, completing 3 full year contracts, and I'm on an F6 residency visa.

[JeremyC]

The part about the youtube video really bothers the crap out of me. Do schools understand that some people just don't want to put a video up of themselves doing some cheesy self introduction in a place where anyone can view it?

There's this great program called Skype. You can make video phone calls on it. Korea has the fastest internet in the world. Why not just ask to do an interview over Skype?

I'm sorry. This matter is a little tender to me right now because my last recruiter insisted that it would be hard for him to find me a teaching position if I didn't make one of thos youtube videos, despite the fact that I've been teaching in Korea for over 3 years, completing 3 full year contracts, and I'm on an F6 residency visa.

I don't feel at all comfortable making a video of myself, but I understand the request for a video to be about seeing if you're okay with being out of your comfort zone, more than to just see your image on screen. As long as you make some  type of video and don't look like a complete monster that's probably good enough. Also making a video means you can have more than one try until you get it right, a Skype conversation is live and there's no second chances. I find having a few shots of something before you film to be very helpful to appearing relaxed in front of the camera, also I think you can only make the films available to who you want.

Also you can film when having a good hair day and have had a good night's sleep.
Add a little post-production and you might be mistaken for [insert good-looking movie star here] ;)

[taeyang]

couldn't you hide the video so that it's only accessible via the link?

[JahRhythm]

^^ Yes, Taeyang you sure can.
I used a self-intro video posted on YouTube for my last 2 jobs.
After I knew they watched it and I got the interview offer it came down. 4 total views. Me and my employer.
The YouTube account was not related to my real name. I didn't use my name in the video or the name of the school/uni but did personalize it, (Hello, Mr. Kim/Ms. Park, whatever) to show that I was recording this specifically for THAT job. Same idea for a cover letter, you don't want it to look stock.
Easy and effective.

[Epistemology]

Yeah, I'm really irritated by the whole trend towards youtube video introductions. Its lame, its pathetic. If someone wants to see a youtube video of me, I would rather direct them to one of my actual videos, rather than an unnatural set piece introduction video.

[Jamarianb]

Hello
I am interested in getting information on renewing my visa for another year.  I have been in Korea for 3 years, and worked for two different hagwons.  I am looking to switch to public school next year.  My contract ends in February, which gives me time to get my paperwork together.  I am from America, and I have been through all the visa rule changes that have been in these tree years.  So now it is very confusing on what is acceptable and not.

Do I need to do a completely new background check with apostle?

What is all that is needed when extending your visa for another year?  Also trying to see if a school would sponsor for an F-class visa.  (But I am trying to get that myself)

If recommendations are needed, I have gotten from both schools I have taught at.

[ovid]

Hi,

Just a few questions.  First do you work with Hero?  He's a pretty cool guy.

Second, how does one go about looking for a recruiting job.  I've been teaching a few years, but I feel that recruiting is more my forte.

[HandsKorea]

To Jamarian:
You need to go to the immigration office which your current hagwon submitted your paperwork to, and ask them if they still have your paperwork, including your FBI background check. If they have that and your diploma on file, then you should have no problem transferring or extending your visa. Just ask them to give you a notarized copy, and you can use that instead of having to do all new paperwork. If they don't have it on file, then you will have to apply for a new CBC. But since you have time, it shouldn't be that big of an issue. Just go to the FBI website and download the fingerprint card, go to your local police station in Korea, and ask for prints, and mail the prints with the application form to the Records Division in Virginia. You can then use a courier service in the states, or try one of the express apostile services in Korea. Hopefully the immigration office has your paperwork though, and you won't have to bother with all of that.

To Ovid:
Ha ha, a lot of people ask me about how to become a recruiter. First of all, there are not a whole lot of recruiting jobs out there, as most places are just mom and pop operations. But if you are sincerely looking for a job, maybe just email a bunch of the larger recruiting agencies out there, and let them know you're interested. Who knows, maybe a place will hire you.

A few things to consider though:

-First, it's hard work, and you have to have a thick skin, as you have to deal with approximately 1,000 times the BS you have at your school job. It can often be disheartening, and you will often become a punching bag for a lot of disgruntled people.

-Secondly, it may be hard to find a job for a recruiting company if you don't speak Korean, or if you don't have an F visa.

-Finally, most Korean companies don't offer free housing, so you are on your own as far as finding a place to live.

This is all just out of my own experience, but perhaps you'll find a great company to work for that will offer nice pay and benefits and what-not.

Being a recruiter means you have to talk to tons of people every day, and sift the good ones from the bad. It means that you have to let down a lot of people who are looking for jobs, as there are way more applicants than there are positions available. And it also involves having to write millions of emails to people, often asking ridiculous things.

But as with any type of job, just keep trying and maybe something will pop up.

Oh yeah, and I do work with Hero, he is a pretty cool guy :D

[sebe86]

Hello,

I understand that you are a recruiter and I am hoping that you can help me. I posted another topic about this, but maybe it will be easier to find it here.

To make a long story short, I worked at a hagwon in Korea for a year. I am now in my home country and want to return to Korea. I have all of the documents and I am ready to go. I have applied for many jobs with several recruiters. Understandably, the schools usually want to contact my previous boss at the hagwon where I worked before. This person is saying bad things about me and telling people that I am not a good teacher, which is untrue. I completed my contract, there weren't any complaints about me, and they even asked me to renew for a second year. I don't know why he is doing this, but he is. Upon hearing this information no one wants to hire me. The recruiters and schools I have dealt with seem entirely unwilling to listen to my side of the story. Is there anything I can do? What do you recommend?

[Troglodyte]

Hello,

I understand that you are a recruiter and I am hoping that you can help me. I posted another topic about this, but maybe it will be easier to find it here.

To make a long story short, I worked at a hagwon in Korea for a year. I am now in my home country and want to return to Korea. I have all of the documents and I am ready to go. I have applied for many jobs with several recruiters. Understandably, the schools usually want to contact my previous boss at the hagwon where I worked before. This person is saying bad things about me and telling people that I am not a good teacher, which is untrue. I completed my contract, there weren't any complaints about me, and they even asked me to renew for a second year. I don't know why he is doing this, but he is. Upon hearing this information no one wants to hire me. The recruiters and schools I have dealt with seem entirely unwilling to listen to my side of the story. Is there anything I can do? What do you recommend?

It's illegal for them to say anything bad about you that would keep you from getting a job. For more details, check my reply on the other thread.

[marksurendra]

I'm pretty sure they can say bad things about you, as long as they are true.  In the states, on resumes, they ask for employer contact info AND if they may contact them.  Providing the info usually means you don't mind.  If you don't want them to say anything bad, don't give the info.  Just provide SOME proof that you were in Korea for that time period.

[syntex1011]

How hard is it for a Asian Canadian who is not Korean to find a job?

I guess I was lucky since I got EPIK on my first try. But my friend back at home has been saying that most recruiting companies don't give you a second glance if you are not white. So he said he wanted to come here first and look for a job after he lands - which I advised against. Thoughts?

[codetornado]

"When applying for EPIK why should I use a recruiter?"

I personally didn't I applied directly. Tell me why I should recommend a recruiter?

[Troglodyte]

I'm pretty sure they can say bad things about you, as long as they are true.  In the states, on resumes, they ask for employer contact info AND if they may contact them.  Providing the info usually means you don't mind.  If you don't want them to say anything bad, don't give the info.  Just provide SOME proof that you were in Korea for that time period.

In Korea, it does not matter whether or not it's true. It's not permitted. It's covered by article 40 of the labor standards act. Any Korean will know about this (including the former employer) because article 40 has been used in court a fair amount. The courts have held that even if what was said was true, since it harms someone's job prospects it's not permitted.

Similarly, in Korea defamation laws do NOT require something to be false in order for it to be considered slander or libel. A true statement can also be considered defamation. Combine that with the fact that all online forums and such that are hosted in Korea (or theoretically any that are accessible form within Korea) are required to make people register with their real name and you can get a lot of evidence for libel if you say something about a person you don't like. Sites that do not comply with this and which do not give Korea access to users details could possibly be blocked. In practice though this is only applied to large sites that are used for making political statements. Try logging into YouTube and posting a video while the country is set to Korea.

[mandymirar]

What's going on with the market? Is it flooded? Also, when is the best time to apply in the fall and spring?