Qualifications & Job Applications

First things first, find a job. South Korea vs. Saudi.

No no…first decide where – do research:

1. What I wish I had done for Korea:

l  Known where Korea was – look at map

l  Known the weather – summer = freakin hot & humid.  Winter = freakin freezing. Autumn & spring = nice 8 days a year

l  Known what I should get paid – 2.2mil won if only degree, no experience. 2.3 mil won if teaching/TEFL. 2.4 mil won if teaching/TEFL and experience.

l  Hagwon vs. Public school
hagwon = small classes (1-8 students), all ages, 2pm – 9pm, 10 days vacation, more money, no co- teacher in class, less stable than public school (can close down in a whiff of kimchi, sometimes late salary payments).
public school = big classes (25-35 students), either primary, middle or high school, lots of vacation and desk warming (sit at desk, no students, abuse the internet), less money,  co-teacher in class (you are a puppet), more stable job than hagwon.

l  Blacklisting – schools that don’t pay teachers/ don’t treat teachers well are blacklisted…Google.

1.     Qualifications:
* A bachelor’s degree. Any - but not just a diploma. Degree in English/teaching = more pay &/ hired easier.
* A TEFL/TESL/CELTA certificate. possible to find jobs without this certificate. easier in Korea than Saudi.

2.     Apply for Jobs:
You know where you want to go? - apply specifically to those countries.
me: Dunno - apply everywhere.

Google:
* www.seriousteachers.com
* Dave’s ELS café
*GEPIK/EPIK
* Skyline Global Solutions
* Teach Away

me: Korea = GEPIK & Saudi = Skyline Global Solutions.

3.     documents:

schools often recruit on short notice - documents ready before you apply = no disappointment & shorter wait.

For Korea:

* Apostilled copies of degrees
* Police clearance certificates - no older than 3 months
* 4 passport photos
* health check
* 2 sets of University transcripts in a sealed envelope with the university stamp over the seal

For Saudi:

* police clearance certificate no older than 3 months
* 4 passport photos
* vaccinations – meningitis, yellow fever, hep b
* health check – Hep b and c, HIV,
* chest x-ray
* 2 colour copies of degree

both countries - signed contract, visa application form and health check forms - all provided by school/company once you find a job.

4.     Interviews & job offers (hopefully)

*school/recruiter contacts you – can take a month…me – 1 week both times! – set up telephone/Skype interview
* school/company offers you job :) – or not :(
* School/company sends you contract or documents

Korea:
* you send school/company your documents
* Korea – school applies for visa issuance number +_ 1week
* you send documents, passport and visa issuance number to Korean Embassy in Pretoria – visa issued +_ 1 week.
* school books ticket – fly to Korea +_ 18 hours

Saudi
* documents sent to visa agency in Pretoria – Get visa +_ 1 week
* company books ticket