Hello dear readers of the internet!
So, things have progress extremely well since the start of my escapade, and I know posting this only a day after my first post might make a few of you turn your heads, but I've wanted to go into the nitty gritty of the travel organization and the acceptance information of going to South Korea for a teaching job or just for any place that might require it. When I started getting sorted with the trip to South Korea (SK for short) I wasn't sure what I needed to get, and to be honest, it sorta wasn't spoken to me at all during the first time I tried to look into this. However, since I was able to get in touch with a friend who had taught in SK before, he was able to direct me to the starting point of finding my own job opportunity as well as the subsidiary requirements of the application process.
Since I really had trouble finding all this info out, I feel the need to share with everyone what you should do in a rather simple, step-by-step, process.
First off, locating a job.
Best place to look, and one that opened the door for me, was Dave's ESL Cafe , a job posting site that presents teaching jobs from Japan, China and SK, all of which explain their requirements as well as salary, job hours, location and benefits. It's also a good place to post your resume and seek out recruiters who'll make the task of finding a potential job a lot easier.
Once you've applied to however many job positions you want, the next stage is the interview stages. Most of the time the recruiter will send you detailed information on each school who wishes to have an interview with you, they will often speak to you first via skype or your phone, and most often, for Canada, will be between the hours of 9pm till midnight as it would be around 10am till 12 noon in SK. This is probably the most important part of the application stage, you'll speak to the recruiter who then has to convey how you act, what you answer their questions with and general impression they get from you. Often they will have simple questions, a few tricky ones do come up here and there, but if you act cool and prepare yourself accordingly, you should be fine. Afterwards, you'll either speak to a school director or have your interview conveyed to them by the recruiter, which then boils down to them accepting you or not. If you get it, congrats, move onward, if not, then keep trying and NEVER give up.
On to step two.
You got the accepted notice from your recruiter, usually by e-mail, its now time to jump through a few paper-work hoops to gather ALL the info you will need both for the school and your VISA.
There are several documents that are the utmost important for the stage of your VISA application, which is the primary paper-work you'll need from the school to actually GO to SK and work there for a year (or longer depending):
1. A notarized and legalized copy of your Diploma
2. A National Level Criminal background check
3. Two (or one, depending) copies of your University Transcript
4. The signed contracted sent to you by the recruiter.
5. Medical Forms sent by the job.
6.(Optional) A TESL Certification
7. Passport Photo
8.(When acquired) VISA Application
1. Diploma
This is the first and easiest paper to get, if you graduated University or a College and have a certification of sorts, doesn't matter the stream, then you're able to apply for these positions. (Sometimes places won't require it, but you'll be looked on better with this.)
You won't need the actual copy, a photocopy will do, you'll have to bring it to a lawyer to get it legalized (saying its a legitimate Diploma or Certificate) and then notarized at the Korean/Chinese/Japanese Consulate which says that they confirm it being legit.
2.Criminal Background Check
A bit of a time consuming paper to get, this basically says you've not done anything wrong criminally in the past little while, and the sooner you get this the better; just be sure its recent, otherwise you might need to get a new one. It doesn't cost too much (mine was around 20 bucks) and takes only a week or so to process. Once you have this, you need to bring it to the Consulate and the lawyer to get it notarized and legalized. (MUST BE ORIGINAL COPY)
3. Transcripts
Another time-consuming paper, and also the most costly (25 bucks), you need to contact your University or College and have them send you two copies (one if American) of your University transcript. I'm not sure why two are needed, but both have to be given to the Consulate, one for legitimacy purposes, the other for your VISA application. These must be SEALED in their original envelopes.
4. Signed Contract
When you're accepted, you'll be given the contract to sign and check over, IMPORTANT Document as it will have all your requirements, job information, responsibilities and benefits listed, read it, scan it and send it. You'll also have to send the original copy too.
5. Medical Forms
For the medical insurance given by your recruiter (if available) you will need to fill out this and send it back (original must be mailed).
6. TESL Certification
This is optional because I've heard so much controversy over actually needing this. It's not required/mandatory for getting a position, but it helps. I took it, did teach me a bit, and it does make you look better, but its not required for the position.
7. Passport Photo
You will require at least 8 photos in passport format (the smaller ones) 6 for the mailing package for the schools records and to apply for your visa confirmation number and 2 more for the VISA application at the consulate.
Before I continue, let me just make it clear that the above paper-work must be collected and mailed by a 3rd party mailing company (FedEX, UPS, DHL) as the company would only accept packages that way (US/Canada posting won't do.) Once the paper work has been mailed, it will take at least 3-4 business days to travel to SK, then, its a matter of time to wait for the school to reply to your application information and send you your VISA Confirmation number which allows you to get your VISA.
8. VISA Application
Once you receive your VISA confirmation number, take 2 of the passport photos, the number and of course YOUR PASSPORT to the Consulate, they will process your info within 3-5 business days depending, and once you're done, send a photo of said VISA to your recruiter and you're set. Its also important to keep all the paper work you get from this in one folder just in case you need to bring it out for reference.
That's pretty much the whole process of it; it should take at least a month or two to gather your essentials so plan accordingly before you prepare your flight and such.
I hope this info helps!
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