Logo

Now I'm sure that for all of you who are very serious about teaching aboard this has not the only source that you have read. If it is, no problem! You're in safe hands. Since I am currently going through the process I hope that by sharing I can save you a BUNCH of time. This post is going to be an overview explaining what qualifications are needed, your necessary documents, the best times to apply and lastly the perks!

Before I get started you must be prepared to come into this with an open mind, therefore allowing yourself to be flexible with your potential teaching assignments. If you do have any preferences toward ANYTHING make that known at the beginning so that way your recruiter can be upfront about if they can or cannot provide that service. Normally your recruiter will be able to do the following:

1) Place you in a desired location (e.g. Busan, Seoul or Ilsan).

2) Preference in the age/ level of your students (Kindergarten, Middle School, etc).

3) Accommodate you and a friend/partner. Now this is tricky part because if you and your friend start the process at the same time there is a really good chance that they can place both of you in the same area. Which is awesome because anytime that you can go overseas with a group of people that you know it is way more enjoyable! Now run along and "Hi-5" because you pass.



Now when it comes down to attempting to bring your girl/boyfriend or wife/husband who will not teaching than-ugh! All I have to say is "Good Luck" with that. The school has already invested a lot of their limited budget selecting you, helping get your visa, paying for your plane ticket and the like for there to be someone else not working in the equation. (However if I do find something more about this circumstance I will update my blog about it.



Qualifications
1) A Minimum of a Bachelors Degree
2) Must be a citizen of the US or Canada
3) English must be your first language
4) Must be in good physical and mental health
5) No criminal record

What Do You Need?
1) A valid Passport with at least 12 months left before it expires.

2) Your Original BA or BS Degree or a notarized certified copy with Apostille. Trust me, just send the original. How often to use that decoration on your wall anyway? Just send it and save yourself the time and money! I promise you'll get it back.

3) A Criminal Background Check (CBC). I cannot stress this enough. You must have a STATE LEVEL CBC! Trust me I tried to send a local level that was notarized and with an Apostille* but it ended with me just me being heartbroken and me postponing my application.

*In the U.S. an Apostille must be done by the Secretary of State. So be prepared to either send or take your documents to the appropriate office.

4) You need 5 Official Transcripts from EACH University you have attended. These can be delivered to you but they must remain UNOPENED and each must have an appropriate SEAL or STAMP on the back of the envelope.



5)Passport Photos (6-10) - This may seem a bit excessive at first but after you make several copies of your contract and submit your final documentation to the Embassy you will begin to run out of these expensive trinkets as fast as Aladdin ran out of Wishes!

6) Your current Resume with your current address listed.

How Long does the Process Take?

When I began I used a recruiter who did little to nothing toward finding me a position overseas. So me being still green behind the ears I relented and waited for a phone call that never came. So needless to say I switched to my current recruiter (Gloii Recruiting Services) who have been nothing but pleasant throughout the whole experience. They have kept me up to date with all of my contract information and guided me through this process with a FULL TEAM devoted to informing me via email, phone, Skype, and multiple IM services.

Now you don't have to use Gloii, feel free to look around for different Recruiters. However you must fill out your recruiters' application to get the ball rolling and for someone to contact you within about 72 hours.

Once they contact you (usually via phone) they will confirm the information that you have given them. Then they will ask you about the documents that you have currently and if you are missing any. After this phone conversation is over you will have to wait. Give them about 2-3 weeks. They aren't slacking; they are trying to match you with an open school that fits all of your previously indicated preferences. Be patient and just wait it out, but if you don't have all of your documents you'd better get on the ball! Because once a school has agreed to hire you have 24 - 72 hours to either accept or reject the position before it's filled.

A quick side note: Some recruiting agencies will ask you to put together a small video introducing yourself. Don't be shy just use this as a guide and put together a short 1:20 video.

Once you get your contract from the school your recruiter will email the document to you. After you send out ALL of the materials they will submit the Korean Immigration Bureau to get you Visa Issuance Number (About 1-5 days). When the number is distributed then you will have to go to your closest Korea Consulate for you final interview. This interview is for those who have never taught in South Korea. Click the link for more info:


The Perks!

1) Visa sponsorship
2) Free or reimbursed round trip airfare
3) Free housing (w/ everything paid except for heating, telephone and elec.)
4) Medical insurance assistance (usually 50/50)
5) Paid holidays
6) Severance pay (after a successful 12 months they will pay for an additional month)
7) Renewable 12-month contract
8) Curriculum and teaching resources
9) Living a country that has a very low cost of living)
10) Amazing pay!!

Well there it is! A little prolific on my part but I hope that this helps you navigate the process easier. Lastly here is a link to view a Sample Contract. C'mon I wouldn't leave you hanging like that =)

http://rs.gloii.com/jobinfo/job-documents
Joe -OUT!!