ESL Gateways

Common Questions about the hiring process

How do I apply for a job?

It's easy!  There are many jobs throughout S.Korea and we have access to many of the schools.  Please send your resume and photo to my email and fill out a job profile and teacher's application form and I will get back to you ASAP.  We will look over your resume and see if you are a good candidate for that job.  If you don't see a job you don't like, apply anyway, because there are many jobs that are not listed.   We usually have 100's of job openings throughout the year.   

What qualifications do I need?

Most teaching positions require a bachelors degree and that your nationality has to be one of the following; Canadian, American, Irish, Scottish, British, South African, Aussie or Kiwi.

What is the interview process like?

If we feel you are a good candidate for the job.  We will submit your resume and photo to the school and they will reply with an answer within a day or two.  If they like your qualifications and how you present yourself, then they will ask for a time to set up an interview.  We will contact you and set up the time for an interview between you and the school.  Once you have been interviewed, we will talk to the school about your application.  If they want to hire you, then we will send you a contract for you to sign.  If they don't want to hire you, then we will continue searching for a job that will best suit your qualifications. 

How long will it take before I find a job?

In some cases, the process is very quick and you will be going to S.Korea in a month.  In other cases, the process can take longer and will take up to 6 months.  Depending on your qualifications, preferences and situation it can vary from person to person.  South Korea is not like any other country you have experienced and so like any country it has it own nuances.  Negotiating contracts takes time and ensures that Teacher and Director are not disillusioned when they meet. 

How do I know I am not being scammed by a lousy contract?

We have gone through extra pre-cautions to make sure you are not dumped in a lousy school.  Korea is notorious for its reputation of lying and cheating teachers out of their pay and benefits.  We are well aware of this and want to make sure you are not trapped by these nasty people.  So there are things you should know before you sign a contract. We also suggest that you do your own research and check the reputation of the schools and hakwons that you are applying to.  If I feel that the school is good, but doesn't uphold of the conditions held by Korean law.  I will definitely tell you of the existing conditions, because if I treat you right, then hopefully you will tell your friends about my services.  Right? 

Each contract should offer you the following,

Salary, (Paid on the 1st of the following month)
50% of Medical Plan,
50% of Pension,
Severance pay,
Apartment or housing allowance,
Flight to and from Korea,

 If they don't offer these things then you should consider why. It could still be a good job, but you should check into it.

Click here for more details.

  We also pre-screen schools and look up information on the web.  We will also supply you with emails and/or phone numbers of the teachers that work at the schools. 

What do I do after I am accepted for a Private School position?

The visa process is a two step procedure.  First immigration must issue your visa issuance number.  Once you have your visa issuance number then you can apply for your visa. 

To apply for you Visa Issuance number, you have to submit to your school the following documentation. 

-Your resume,
-cover letter, 
-2 passport photos, but get 8 more.  (2 for your visa number, 2 for your visa, 2 for your alien card and 4 for other things.)
-passport copy of your information,
-four copies of your sealed transcripts (two for your visa issurance number and one for your visa)
-and your original degree or a notarized copy by the Korean consulate. 
-a signed contract (keep a copy of your own contract on hand)

The school will take your documents to immigration and will apply for your visa issuance number.  This should take 1 to 7 days, depending on where your school is located.  Generally, schools in Seoul will take longer than schools in rural areas.  Once immigration has processed your application, your visa issuance number will be emailed to you.  You will then have to go to your Korean consulate and apply for your visa.  You will need your passport, passport photos, your degree and whatever your Korean consulate asks you to bring.  There will be a fee for your visa, so make sure you check to see how much it will be.  This should take 1 to 7 days, depending on the office.  Once you have your visa, you can now enter Korea. 

If you are running out of time, then you can enter S.Korea on a visitor visa.  Your visitor visa length is dependent upon your nationality.  Once in S.Korea you can apply for your visa issuance number with your school.  Once your application is processed, your visa number is issued and then you can take a trip out of the country to Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, China or where ever there is a Korean consulate to get your visa.  The process is generally the same as stated as before. 

What do I do after I am accepted for a Public School position?

The same as the above, but you will have to do a few more things.  In the meantime, while you are sending your documents off to South Korea for your visa issuance number, you will need to have a criminal and medical check.  We have the procedures needed to help you with your checks.

Why does my degree have to be notarized?

It has to be notarized by the consulate because of all the scams that are going on with fake degrees.  If you send your original degree, you will get it back.  So far, there is an hundred percent success rate for sending back the original degree.  By doing so, it speeds up the whole process.  If you still feel uncomfortable sending your original degree, then go ahead and notarize it while trying to find a job.  When you do notarize your degree make sure you send the right information with your degree so that you are not waiting for it to be notarized.  Check with your local consulate to see what you have to do to notarize it. 

I have been looking up flights and am going to book one tomorrow.  I wanted to make sure that Incheon airport was the one I wanted (there's also one called Gimpo?)

Yes, you want to fly into Incheon Airport and then bus/taxi to your location.  Depending on your location, this could be 30 mins or 5 hours.  If you are going to a location in Seoul, then there will be a pickup from the airport for you.  If your location is outside of Seoul, then you will have to take a bus to that location.  The bus station is located on the bottom level of the airport.  Make sure you consider the time difference when booking your flight, http://www.timeanddate.com/ . 

In some instances, the school will pay for your flight to the school. 

Throughout the airport, there are information booths that will help you with any questions you might have.  They speak excellent English. 

When I arrive, will there be someone there to get me or do I have to figure out how to get a bus/Taxi, etc.?

Easy!  All you need to do is email us your resume and photo, fill out a job profile and an online application and then get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

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