I was an English teacher through the EPIK program from August 2019 until August 2021 after passing my EPIK interview. It was a life-changing experience for me as it opened a world of possibilities in terms of career and other opportunities.

If you’d like an idea of some of the experiences I’ve had, you can check out some of the cafes I’ve visited in Cheongju (where I was placed by EPIK).

If you are interested in studying your TEFL to become an English teacher abroad here is a good and affordable company that you can use with a number of online courses: 

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If you like what you see you can get a 15% discount using this code:

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I’ve created this article with tips on how to pass your EPIK interview based on my own experience. I hope it is helpful. Feel free to ask questions in the comments!

Here is a YouTube video on how to pass your EPIK interview. I think it is applicable to any teaching ESL abroad interview.

If you prefer reading, here is a summary of 5 tips to help you pass your EPIK interview.

1. Standard interview etiquette

These are your standard interview manners. Sit up straight, enunciate your words, and dress appropriately.

I can’t emphasize the last one enough. Make sure you are dressed from head to toe. You may think that only your top half needs to look decent because that is all that shows on the screen, but you never know if you may have to stand up.

Another point that many overlook, make sure that your face is lit from all sides. If you have any protruding shadows, you may look intimidating.

Make sure your internet connection is stable and that you have a backup just in case.

2. Don’t over-prepare your answers

You should definitely prepare practice questions and go over them, but do not memorize them. If you try to give a memorized answer and maybe forget something, your brain will be stuck on having left something out and not be able to move on. It’s important to be able to think on your feet.

Also, make sure not to copy the answers that you hear other people have given. Interviewers are smart and can attribute personalities and qualifications to someone’s first impression. If it seems like your answer doesn’t suit you, they will notice.

3. Be sincere. Be yourself. EPIK is hiring people.

Don’t focus too much on what you think the interviewer wants to hear. Your own passion and sincerity will impress interviewers a lot more than you think. The reason is, if you have a mishap in a classroom there is no rehearsed action that will save you. Your sincerity will carry you through the situation. That’s the kind of person they’re looking for.

4. But, don’t get side-tracked by your sincerity

Don’t go off course when answering about the things that you like. For example, if the reason you like Korea is because of K-Pop, you shouldn’t feel the need to hide that. However, you shouldn’t lead with topics that are unrelated to work or talk about them in a way that will make you seem like you have an ulterior motive.

5. Link everything back to why you’re applying to EPIK.

You should be applying to a position like EPIK because you love children. That’s what EPIK cares about. If you have other reasons that you want to tell them, by all means, go for it. But, make sure you link everything back to your love for teaching and children.

If you thought the video and these tips were helpful, check out my YouTube channel for more information about teaching in Korea.

Have you applied for EPIK or taught with them before? Tell me about your journey in the comments.