Recruiter's Emails

I don't really have much to say today. I just went to work and watched Korean Dramas. I am really into Seoul 1945! I'm almost done with it. Here is a copy of the letters. Certain things have been censored.

First Letter--Aclipse Interview
Feb 15
Dear Andrew, Thank you for submitting your resume to Aclipse recruiting. I have had the opportunity to review the details of your application and I am very interested in discussing it further with you. I will be conducting initial phone interviews this week and next week and would like very much to schedule a time when we might be able to speak at length about the details of our current opportunities as well as your own experience. Please give me a call at my direct line below so we can coordinate our schedules. If you have any immediate questions, feel free to reach out to me at my direct line below. I look forward to speaking with you soon! Best regards,

My Response
Greetings Mr. Jacobson, Thank you for the message. I would be interested in discussing my resume and any available opportunities. I am available during the weekdays after 4:00 PM, Central Time Zone. I look forward to speaking with you as well! Thank you, Andrew
I didn't know that I sent my application to them. At this point I hadn't heard back from CDI or E-Spirit, so I thought I'd give them a try.

Interview Confirmation
Feb 27
Dear Andrew, Laura will contact you on Friday, February 27th at 5:00 PM CST. I will follow up after the interview so we can talk more about Chungdahm Learning. Attached please find a brief pre-task. If you could complete it and e-mail it back to me before our interview, it would be appreciated. Kind regards,
I was initially confused, but my brain eventually pieced it altogether :-) I was contacted by a woman named Laura, whose voice sounds exactly like my German Professor/Academic Advisor!! So I stressed for a week. I was worried I didn't get it (I over-worry a lot). I was told however that I would be contacted for a second interview. That's usually a good sign, so I anxiously waited for my second interview.

Chungdahm Learning
Mar 4
Dear Andrew,Congratulations! After having made our final assessment of your interview results and application we feel that you would be a great candidate for a teaching position with Chungdahm Learning. We have attached a file with more information about the position and the company. Chungdahm Learning is one of the most successful and highly regarded private language schools in South Korea.To continue the process we need to collect from you the following:1.) The Chungdahm Learning application essay2.) The Chungdahm Learning application3.) A fresh copy of your resume (please be sure your e-mail address is included)4.) A photo of yourself (friendly and professional)5.) A photocopy of your passport photo page6.) A photocopy of your college diploma These can be scanned and e-mailed back. The initial application shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours, so we ask that you please submit these materials no later than one week after receiving this e-mail. We will forward them to Chungdahm Learning, who will make the final decision on your candidacy. If their decision is favorable, they will send details confirming your location and salary. If successful we will require that we collect the following documents from you in order to process your work visa: 1.) A photocopy of your college diploma with apostille authentication (see attached instructions)2.) Official, sealed transcripts (get 2 as you will need one for the final visa application)3.) 2 passport-size photos (we recommend getting a total of six as you will need them at later stages)4.) A local police department issued criminal background check with apostille authentication (see attached instructions) We strongly recommend beginning the background check and apostille procedures immediately after submitting your application materials. The more paperwork you have prepared in advance, the more desirable a candidate will be for Chungdahm Learning. We would also like to point out that should Chungdahm Learning determine that they do not agree with our recommendation, we will be able to use the materials you submit to apply for a position with an alternate employer. We would like to stress that Chungdahm Learning prides itself on the preparedness of its instructors; consequently they have a very thorough training program. They have asked us to make sure candidates are aware that all instructors must pass Chungdahm Learning’s initial training program to ensure teachers are prepared for their first day of class and can deliver the level of instruction that students are accustomed to. Teachers who initially have difficulty with training are offered extra support and additional opportunities to pass the session. In the rare case a candidate cannot pass training, he/she would have to either secure another job on their own or return home at their own expense. We would be happy to discuss this with you in more depth.If you have any questions or concerns about the position, the paperwork, or life in Korea please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Thank you for your interest in Aclipse and I look forward to working with you in the coming weeks. Kind regards,
So I didn't have to go for a second interview! But it was really stressful, because no one wants to be partly in the door. What if the door closes and your crotch gets stuck???

My Response
Dear Mr. Jacobson, Thank you for the good news! I was very happy to have received your message. I will begin preparing the necessary documents. I will turn in the CDI Application/Essay within the week. I will then begin the background check. I do have a question regarding the VISA application process. I am actually currently in the process of applying for an F-4 VISA. I have been working with the Korean Embassy and will mail in my necessary paperwork tomorrow morning. As for my diploma, although I did graduate in January and have been awarded a Bachelor's Degree, I plan on going through my graduation ceremony in May (and then work in Korea after, in June). However, I will do what I can to get my diploma earlier. Again, thank you very much for the good news, it was good working with Aclipse! I will send emails to follow up on my progress
I turned everything in--minus the diploma.

Chungdahm Offer
Mar 23
Dear Andrew, Congratulations on being offered a position with Chungdahm Learning! I would like to take this opportunity to offer my continued assistance. The process moves very quickly once an offer has been made, and I need to have your decision within 5 business days. If I can answer any questions or offer further information that will help you with the decision, please do not hesitate to call me. If you decide to accept, please sign, scan, and email us the Offer of Employment attached. I will then need to collect the remaining materials to finalize the employment offer and begin the visa process. Please refer to the attachment for detailed information and instructions. Congratulations again on your acceptance to one of the most highly-regarded language schools in South Korea. I look forward to working with you over the coming weeks.
I was so relieved to have gotten this message. I remember checking the mail everyday and feeling naseous. When I got this, I did a victory dance...naked.

My Response
Dear Mr. Jacobson, Thank you for the wonderful news! I was very pleased to get your message. I accept the offer!! I am therefore sending you a copy of my Offer of Employment. I have initialed all the pages and given my signature, date and passport number on the last page. For your reference, I am also sending a copy of: my F-4 VISA and my criminal background check. I will go to the post office tomorrow to send the following documents:1) Notarized criminal background check with attached Apostille2) Original Offer of Employment3) Original Application--4 pages. As for my original diploma, my school will not have diplomas available until Friday the 27, or Monday the 30 of March. I will forward you a copy of that message sent by my school to my university email account to confirm that. Once I get my diploma in, I will mail the diploma ASAP to the address. (if the school doesn't get me my diploma until Monday, will that hurt my chances?) Thank you very much! I will continue to keep you updated and look forward to working with you! Kind regards, Andrew
I eventually got my diploma in. It took a while for my uni to finally print it. When I got it I remember feeling so proud of myself, that I did it. Then I had to turn it in :-( Oh well. At least I will see it when I go to Korea. Now I am waiting to hear where I will be placed. And I need to be able to go ahead and buy my ticket!