#epik interview

You've applied for EPIK and you've passed the first phase. Congratulations! Grab that soju and take a shot! This means the next obstacle: the interview. Cue the nervous breakdown.  

As requested by anon! I wrote this yesterday but realised I posted it on the wrong blog! So here it is again. I'll try to write as much detail as possible!

This was my second time doing an interview with Epik actually. I had my first interview around this time last year but failed that.

I had my interview on 30th March at 4pm KST (8am UK time) and only prepared everything the night before. Most of the questions I prepared for wasn't asked. My coordinator added me on Skype 15 mins early and video called me exactly at the time scheduled.

After saying our hellos he told me my mic wasn't working. I was told to check that the mic and video works before the interview but I must've forgotten. So I was trying to fix that, and in the end had to use my computer mic which meant putting my face right against the camera.

Anyways the coordinator/interviewer was super nice. Probably one of the nicest interviewer I've had! He explained what changes I needed to do in my application (which last year's interviewer never did) and I even missed out a whole section in the application form which I thought definitely would've reduced my chances of passing.

The interview was a mixture of discussing the role and him asking me questions when appropriate, rather than the typical interviews of asking a whole series of questions at once. I can't remember every question but here are a few I can think of.

1. Have you had any previous teaching experience with children?

2. What would you do if you disagreed with your co-teacher?

3. Why did you choose to apply as an ESL teacher?

4. What cultural difficulties did you face when you studied in Korea and how did you overcome these?

5. Would you be okay with this difficulty when you come to Korea again?

I'll add to this if I remember anymore!

I Was Granted an Interview With EPIK, Now What?

Nice! You’re really close but not quite in the clear.

Someone said during our application that “If you were granted an interview it meant your documents were good enough that they would have hired you off the application alone – but they want to double check with an interview.”

Many people aren’t even granted interviews so keep this in mind.

Yes, you can mess it all up, but if you are who you…

My interview was scheduled on 3 April 2014 at 15:00pm Korean Standard Time (KST).

To be honest I was nervous about the interview as I felt it was the make or break portion of my application – What if my interviewer didn’t like my personality? What if I was asked questions I couldn’t answer?  What if Skype wasn’t working or my computer broke down half way through the interview?

However, all my worries were unnecessary as my interview ended up going really smoothly. My key to success? PREPARE, PREPARE AND PREPARE!!!

2 weeks prior to the interview:

I reviewed the EPIK website.

I used the internet to research common questions which were previously asked during EPIK interviews and prepared brief responses to them.

Note: I did not write out my response word for word as it would not be natural during my interview. Rather, I prepared simple dot points and practiced how I would respond if those questions were asked.

I briefly researched South Korea – history, geography and culture.

3 days prior to the interview:

I reviewed my completed EPIK application and the dot point response prepared 2 weeks prior to the interview.

1 day prior to the interview:

I double checked the time my interview was scheduled.

Printed out a copy of my completed application.

I checked the microphone and speakers on my laptop were in working order.

Logged onto Skype to ensure the program was working.

Note: There is a function on Skype which allows you to speak and Skype will replay your voice to show what the other person will hear.

Plan what I will be wearing for the interview. Your choice of attire should be professional – nothing too low cut or flashy.

Plan where I will be sitting during the interview. Make sure your choice of location has good lighting and background.

On the day of the interview, I logged onto Skype about 45 minutes prior to my scheduled interview time. If you have never used Skype before, I would advise you to download and practice using it prior to the interview.

My interviewer was extremely friendly and whilst he was Korean, spoke perfect English. The interview began with the interviewer going through my application with me. Every now and then the interviewer would ask me to elaborate on various aspects of my application.

Afterwards, the interviewer moved onto more general questions such as “What do you know about Korea?” Luckily most of the questions asked were similar to the questions I had anticipated.

We have been advised by EPIK not to relay the questions that were asked during our interviews. As such, I can only give you the following tips:

1)     Know your application inside out, including your reasons for wanting to teach in Korea, your teaching philosophy and lesson plan.

2)     Prepare some questions you may wish to ask your interviewer.

3)     Speak confidently. Practice in front of a mirror beforehand if you need to. You are applying to become a teacher and the interviewer needs to know whether you can communicate effectively.

4)    Maintain eye contact with the interviewer by ensuring you are looking into your laptop camera.

5)    Smile and let your personality shine.

My interview went for half an hour. I was advised by my interviewer that I would receive confirmation as to whether I passed my interview within 3 – 5 days.

On 8 April 2014 I received an email from my EPIK interviewer that I had passed my interview. The email included comprehensive information on the documents which I was required to submit to EPIK before I would be referred to an Office of Education.

I’ve sent all my documents off to EPIK now, so all that’s left is to wait. It honestly feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Anyway, I thought I would add to the plethora of other blogs that talk about the EPIK interview process. 

1) Be YOURSELF! EPIK want to see if you’re a nice and confident person. This is not the time to be making a whole new personality for yourself. It’s a chance to show your enthusiasm and knowledge of Korea and EPIK. Also look the part, don’t be tempted to wear something casual. Act as if this was an in person interview.

2) Forget about backgrounds  - It really doesn’t matter if its a white or yellow wall behind you. So long as you’ve got nothing dodgy back there anything will be fine. 

3) Google is your friend - I’m not going to mention the questions here. Firstly, I can’t be bothered and secondly literally all the questions are available on a google search. My interview was a run down of my application with a few questions to expand on a few points, such as education, work experience and co-teacher relationships. 

4) Prepare and Practice - Although all the questions are online, it’s worth forming a few bullet points. I did my bullet points on flashcards and the week leading up to the interview I just kept looking at them, refreshing my memory. However, don’t practice too much! you don’t want to sound like a robot and it’s important you sound natural. I think the day before the interview I didn’t do anything and just took the time to relax.

There are a tonne of blogs that go into great detail about the interview questions and what to do. The most important advice I can humbly give you, is to just be yourself.  Research EPIK and Korea and just let your enthusiasm shine. 

So my EPIK interview finally came. I had prepared my "interview room" the night before, so I didn't have to worry about it in the morning. I had a panic that somehow I missed the interview because my coordinator invited me hours earlier. 

Anyway, it started pretty much on time, and to my surprise he was a North American! I was his first Brit, but he seemed a really nice guy. My general feelings are teetering towards the positive side, but i'm now working over every minute of that 30 minute interview. 

The interview and I got on relatively well actually, we laughed on a few occasions and he definitely put me at ease. He ran through my application, and then threw in some questions to expand further on a few points. All these questions were expected, and for me there was no curve ball. Thankfully, my personal essay and my lesson plan needed no changes. The only change I have to make is my photo, for some reason I decided not to smile, and look deadly serious. I was worried that smiling would in some way be frowned upon. Luckily we both shared a laugh about it, and he was very understanding. 

Other than that he confirmed the following logistics. Results from the interview will be released in 2 or 3 working days time, and it's pretty much a first come first served basis.