Aclipse Recruiting
I came across Aclipse from Dave's ESL Cafe and I decided to apply there since they seemed to have a legit site that was structured and their Facebook was up to date. I didn't really know what to expect at this point since I was just trying to cast a huge net into a sea of recruiters.
I was impressed by the quick response to my application and that they scheduled an interview with me, something none of the other hagwon recruiters did. Colette was great and really made me feel comfortable during the entire phone interview and by the end of it I felt like it was a friendly conversation where she was just finding more about me. A bit specific, what with asking me what my most challenging course was and how I overcame it, but it was very comfortable and I felt I could be honest through out. All of the questions were applicable to the job I was applying for and I didn't feel like she was trying to stump me *ahem* EPIK. The hiccup I mentioned in my Aclipse timeline was that she did not have my phone number since I didn't include it in my resume. No biggie, the interview just started a couple minutes when I emailed her and found she had just emailed me asking for my number.
I don't know if every one of the recruiters at Aclipse is wonderful and informative as my recruiter but I am going to assume they are. Colette Neville has been amazing. She is extremely friendly and ready to answer all my questions. Sometime it would be through email but when I had more than one question, she would call me to explain everything thoroughly. At no point did I feel stupid for asking a question even though she must get the same ones over and over. All her responses were quick and to the point. I really can't thank her enough for everything she has done for me.
I was impressed by the quick response to my application and that they scheduled an interview with me, something none of the other hagwon recruiters did. Colette was great and really made me feel comfortable during the entire phone interview and by the end of it I felt like it was a friendly conversation where she was just finding more about me. A bit specific, what with asking me what my most challenging course was and how I overcame it, but it was very comfortable and I felt I could be honest through out. All of the questions were applicable to the job I was applying for and I didn't feel like she was trying to stump me *ahem* EPIK. The hiccup I mentioned in my Aclipse timeline was that she did not have my phone number since I didn't include it in my resume. No biggie, the interview just started a couple minutes when I emailed her and found she had just emailed me asking for my number.
I don't know if every one of the recruiters at Aclipse is wonderful and informative as my recruiter but I am going to assume they are. Colette Neville has been amazing. She is extremely friendly and ready to answer all my questions. Sometime it would be through email but when I had more than one question, she would call me to explain everything thoroughly. At no point did I feel stupid for asking a question even though she must get the same ones over and over. All her responses were quick and to the point. I really can't thank her enough for everything she has done for me.
Here is a list of everything I needed:
- The Chungdahm application
- Consent forms
- The E2 health statement
- A self-introduction video
- A photocopy of your passport
- A photo of yourself
So after I successfully got in with Aclipse, I had to start preparing for Chungdahm Learning, the hagwon chain that they recruit for.
Very simple. The only difficult part of this was the video. Ask any of my friends and they will tell you I hate being in pictures. You can imagine the delight at filled me at this point but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was a very short video 1-1.5 minutes of just talking about yourself, your teaching experience and why you are applying. I overestimated how quickly I could talk in a minute and ended up cutting half my script and memorized the script. I got tongue tied and had to do many takes. It was very strange sitting in my bedroom talking to a tripod while trying not to mess up. I finally got it filmed and I went to edit it. My computer kept on crapping out but I got it done eventually. Getting it down to under 10MB was a pain in the bum because the quality of the video was gone. I may have just filmed it on a webcam.
Very simple. The only difficult part of this was the video. Ask any of my friends and they will tell you I hate being in pictures. You can imagine the delight at filled me at this point but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was a very short video 1-1.5 minutes of just talking about yourself, your teaching experience and why you are applying. I overestimated how quickly I could talk in a minute and ended up cutting half my script and memorized the script. I got tongue tied and had to do many takes. It was very strange sitting in my bedroom talking to a tripod while trying not to mess up. I finally got it filmed and I went to edit it. My computer kept on crapping out but I got it done eventually. Getting it down to under 10MB was a pain in the bum because the quality of the video was gone. I may have just filmed it on a webcam.
I was told on November 27th that I would be informed in 2-3 days whether or not I would be accepted into ChungDahm. One day later I was accepted! I was given another list of things mail to them(that's right snail mail!) so they could prepare for my E2- Visa.
- The original Chungdahm application forms (completed in BLACK INK, signed and dated)
- The original E2 Health Statement (completed in BLACK INK, signed but NOT dated)
- Two passport photos (you will need at least 6 more for later use)
- 2 certified photocopies of your university undergraduate diploma (instructions attached)
- Degree verification arranged through American Databank or letter of graduation from your university registrar's office.
- A photocopy of your passport (photo and information page - must be clear)
- A hard copy of your most recent resume
- 2 certified nation wide criminal background checks (CBCs).
At this point I already had most of my documents, I just needed a second set of my degree and CBC.
On December 3rd, I got it done and sent my package (after checking it over 15 times) over to Boston and also arranged my degree verification through their background check (#5).
On December 10th, my package got there and Colette reminded me that my preference for Seoul and Incheon may not have vacancies or they may need me elsewhere. As soon as my placement was confirmed I would be emailed my contract that I was to carefully consider.
December 11th rolls around and I find a contract in my email! Not the exact contract I was epecting but with some reassurance I accepted!
I am to be in Seoul February 10th, 2014!
On December 3rd, I got it done and sent my package (after checking it over 15 times) over to Boston and also arranged my degree verification through their background check (#5).
On December 10th, my package got there and Colette reminded me that my preference for Seoul and Incheon may not have vacancies or they may need me elsewhere. As soon as my placement was confirmed I would be emailed my contract that I was to carefully consider.
December 11th rolls around and I find a contract in my email! Not the exact contract I was epecting but with some reassurance I accepted!
I am to be in Seoul February 10th, 2014!