Interesting Note...
Monday, October 19, 2009 at 2:45 PM As some of you know I am looking for a new job. (Offer to my email. Thanks!) One of the things I am coming across applying for EPIK and GEPIK positions out of season (i.e. starting before March next year) is that while there are plenty of them Schools are reluctant to hire "Seasoned professionals" like my self.
I wouldn't usually call myself that but, I fall into GEPIK / EPIK's No.1 Pay category (a miserly 2.3/mnth) because of my experience and qualifications. This seems to be too much though,with three initial offers, while being interested can't afford 2.3/mnth. (The other school who initially offered a position turned out to want a woman.)
Language Policy and Planning arguments / Satte of Korean education system arguments abound (See below), but All I can come up with is that if you pay peanuts you're only gonna get Monkeys. (Or the occassional elephant).
Two possible Solutions: GEPIK / EPIK need to recognise experience with other comparable Offices of Education (If anything 2 years at Gangnam or SMOE should be seen as more of an incentive to employers outside the large metropolises) or I should just shut up and take an enormous pay cut and count my blessings considering the straightened economic circumstances etc.
Anyone want to employ me?
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Reader Comments (11)
have you emailed Paul yet?
I'm !@#$% sick of it man
*Female Wanted
*Gyopo Wanted
*North American Wanted
*White, blue eyed, blonde female from an IVY league University wanted
Well okay the last one's a bit of an exaggeration but some of the ads up there are not too far off...
@Steph
Done and done!
If I had a job to offer, I'd take you in a heartbeat. I've had good luck with mass e-mailing cover letters / resumes / photos to a number of recruiters - mainly for their 'urgent fill' positions. The employers may be willing to offer more, or there may be a reason the school has an 'urgent fill' position to begin with.
In any case, best of luck.
I am currently searching for ESL teaching positions too. Technically, I qualify for an F4 visa because I was born in Seoul; however, I was adopted internationally. I read and write Korean pretty well, but my vocabulary, speaking, and listening abilities are low level. I'm finding this is difficult to explain to potential employers. *crossing fingers and toes for a job soon*
@RedMangoLover - get the F4! Employers love it because they won't have to process as much visa paperwork, and you'll have a LOT more flexibility in your jobs...
As for the lack of Korean - use your (presumably native?) English skills to your advantage. Tell your story - whatever that may be. Quite a few jobs I've been seeing o\are only for those with an F2/F4....
Hi,
YEs the job market is getting tougher these days out here. But you are looking in the off season and this is the time when they hire a teacher ASAP, meaning they need to fill it quickly. That is good and bad. ARe you looking only at EPIK and GEPIK? I have seen a lot of international schools and colleges asking for people with far more experience than I.
You may have to wait till February when things pick up. But find more recruiters and you will get more offers. That's how I have been doing it.
Good luck!
I thought you liked the school you are currently in? Seemed like they were doing a good deal with you. Any reasons as to why you want to move on?
@Dave
They are discontinuing providing housing from January - that's the main factor
@Stafford Oh, that's right. I thought all that got settled out? I guess the rent allowance they were giving you wasn't up to scratch then.
Good luck with a new job. With your experience and credationals, I'm sure you'll be able to walk into any job. (Um, you can have mine in mid-February if you want?)
Ahh... that's 'credentials'.