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morrisonhotel
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do
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 Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| longlivetheclash wrote: |
| As for ASKNOW...not impressed. They just throw contracts at you and never answer your questions...just 'sign, sign, sign.' Adventure Teaching seemed legit and to have their stuff together, but the jobs were being "swooped up" before I had a chance to interview. I got lucky and ended up landing a pretty sweet Hogwon gig in Jukjeon with a recruiting agency known as Maple Firm, but I do not recommend this recruiter..."smoke and mirrors" and loads of deception that I was able smooth over with the Hagwon boss after she realised what BS artists they are. Good luck. Get in touch with Rueben at Adventure Teaching, and see what he has to offer. |
+1 on Adventure Teaching. I was really impressed with them. |
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monkeyteacher
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
Location: near the magic mountain
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| Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:18 pm Post subject: GMSC |
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| I am seconding the medocre to poor rating given to GMSC. They just plugged me into a GEPIK contract and then were nowhere to be found to help me enforce it. |
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lizlemon
Joined: 05 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| This is really helpful. I have wasted so much time with recruiters who either call WAY too often about nothing, send shitty jobs or pressure me to sign right away. Hope some of your reccommendations work out for me! |
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BrenSmith
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:51 am Post subject: |
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Originally went with ASKNOW and it started well but went nowhere. Received some useful group e-mails on living and working in Korea but haven't been offered a single contract bar one group GEPIK offer.Possibly because of my third-country application status. Some slow communication.
Have now been dealing with Korjob Canada and it has been much better. Receiving offers, constant contact, prompt communication etc. Found me a job that has been endorsed by three current teachers at various stages of their contracts. Thumbs up to them. |
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Tarma
Joined: 26 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:23 am Post subject: |
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I used ASKNow to get the job I currently have. The process was clearly explained. They followed up on my questions and requests fairly promptly. One small miscommunication about my flight was easily remedied. They were good enough to send someone to pick me up at the airport since my school was on summer vacation that week. I've had several "checking in" emails as well as a few invitations to group activities.
When I discovered my director had NOT signed me up for medical insurance they took care of it for me promptly. They've been an effective recruiter for me overall.
It's not really their fault that my director is in the "screw you over if you allow it" camp. Caveat Emptor and all that. |
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Ksamsoon
Joined: 03 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Bad: Ace Recruiting (website: acecareer.co.kr).
They post your resume with all of your personal information (GPA, Address) on their website and anybody can find it by google searching your name. And it will stay on there for-ever.... Good luck trying to talk to them about taking it down!
I emailed Ace Recruiting several times and they never responded. Finally, I called them long distance and talked to a woman named Julia Kim, who was very ... difficult (to put it nicely). She kept insisting it was a google problem, but after I contacted google and several computer experts, they all said the only person who could take down the information was Ace Recruiting.
So, I contacted Ace Recruiting again, and the same woman answered the phone. I explained what happened and she kept insisting it was google's problem. I asked for contact information for the webmaster, and she claimed it was her. Then I asked to speak to the owner, which she also claimed was her. I calmly explained to her that I just wanted my personal information off of the website and if I couldn't talk to anyone else, I'd talk to my lawyer and he would put HER name down as the owner. Then she got mad and started screaming. She claimed she "didn't know" if she was the owner of the company! Then...She cursed at me in Korean, then hung up! Well, I'm assuming she cursed - she said something like "meron" or "melon."
I called back and asked if she hung up on me. She said "No, it got disconnected." Then we finally came to the agreement that she'd talk to a computer expert and get him to look at the problem. I said great, let's agree to get in touch tomorrow to check on the progress. She said no and then got mad at me again! I told her I didn't want to get the law involved, but if she kept being difficult I'd have to. She claimed Ace Recruiting also had their own lawyer and that I was "going to get in trouble." I'm not sure what I would get in trouble for.... I kept saying "Ma'm, calm down," but she wouldn't let me talk and kept screaming at me. Then she cursed at me more in Korean (this time saying F*** and Crazy Bi***) and hung up on me again.
I don't understand this kind of behavior from a RECRUITING company. They appear to be professional and claim to help clients ease into their Korean life. But from this experience, I would be highly concerned if I had a problem once I got to Korea and had to speak to this woman again!
There are tons of recruiting companies - just don't pick Ace Recruitng, trust me. |
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thebektionary
Joined: 11 May 2011
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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| What is the problem with GMSC? They found me a GEPIK job in Bucheon quickly, I signed the contract, have been in touch with the vice principal and head English teacher of the school, and they answer my questions immediately. I haven't had a problem with them, but seeing two bad reviews of them has made me nervous. I am getting my apostilled background check back tomorrow and I'm about to send it to them. |
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mariaanceney
Joined: 07 Jan 2011
Location: 840 UNITED STATES
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:47 am Post subject: |
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| Don't use a recruiter. Only apply to schools that are sifting through their own applicants. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:24 am Post subject: Re: GMSC |
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| monkeyteacher wrote: |
| I am seconding the medocre to poor rating given to GMSC. They just plugged me into a GEPIK contract and then were nowhere to be found to help me enforce it. |
Why would they?
There is a clear path for problem resolution within GEPIK / GPOE.
Go to the website.
| mariaanceney wrote: |
| Don't use a recruiter. Only apply to schools that are sifting through their own applicants. |
This is just foolishness.
Look for yourself and you might find 20 jobs and have no assistance in the job and visa application process.
Use 20 recruiters and you will find 1000 jobs.
The thing about recruiters is to know what they are, use them for what they do and MOST importantly, know what they are not.
A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
Unless you have an extensive network of friends and/or colleagues in your target country OR can read/write and speak the local language and can apply directly they are a necessary evil.
REPEAT: A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.
Hello Mr. English speaker this is Mr Hakwon owner.
Mr. hakwon owner, this is Mr. English speaker.
Mr. English speaker, here is the contract. Please read and sign.
School, here is the signed contract. Pay me.
Good bye.
-You are not paying them anything (or you shouldn't be).
-THEY DO NOT WORK FOR YOU! - They work for the school.
-They owe you nothing once you get here.
-They are not your friend.
-They are not your baby sitter.
-They cannot help you if things go to *beep* after you get here.
Beyond that it is YOUR responsibility to check the school out.
Do NOT trust ANY recruiter. They are like used car salesmen. They will lie and sell their soul to get the signature on the contract.
Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned.
Use the recruiters for what they are. Use more than one and keep going until you get what you want. There is no rush and there is certainly no shortage of jobs.
When it comes to the school - again - repeat - Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE.
1st - READ the contract over very carefully. If that doesn't scare you away then...
The best you can do is minimize the risk by talking to MORE THAN ONE of the foreign staff and ask POINTED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS (*when the boss is NOT listening over their shoulder). Don't accept non-specific answers and broad generalizations.
No foreign staff references to talk (directly and via e-mail) to = walk away now.
Accept NO EXCUSES for any reason.
ONE CAVEAT: if it is a public school there may not be a Native English Speaker to talk to but there is a chain of command OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL (your POE liaison) if you have problems and they are more strict in following the terms of the contract.
7777 |
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Chimie
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:05 am Post subject: |
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I used JobTeach Consulting and they were just fantastic. Got an excellent position and my recruiter and several other members of the company have been fantastic.
They've stayed in touch with me even several months after I've arrived. Rick, my recruiter is friends with me on Facebook and has helped me with numerous things (even little things like how to ask for directions etc etc). They had a van pick me up at the airport and take me to my city... just all around fantastic people.
As far as bad, Footprints and Morgan Recruiting both left a bad taste in my mouth. Pretty hefty application processes but didn't really do much for me once I jumped through all the hoops. I got maybe 5 offers through them--most of them shit positions at that (Split shift, kindy at super low pay).
Had some good offers through JJ as well, they weren't bad, though none of the offers panned out (Had one good offer but turned out it was Female only...) |
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pikadoopoo
Joined: 19 May 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:58 am Post subject: |
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| Chimie wrote: |
As far as bad, Footprints and Morgan Recruiting both left a bad taste in my mouth. Pretty hefty application processes but didn't really do much for me once I jumped through all the hoops. I got maybe 5 offers through them--most of them shit positions at that (Split shift, kindy at super low pay).
Had some good offers through JJ as well, they weren't bad, though none of the offers panned out (Had one good offer but turned out it was Female only...) |
The recruiter I had from JJ was extremely unprofessional. Her English was little to none, and I had to resort to speaking in Korean with her. She kept offering me the same rural hagwon job over and over, even though I asked for other options. JJ will also publicly post your resume on their website.
Was rejected by Footprints, but they were the first recruiters I had ever contacted. The guy I had my interview with seemed like a nice guy, but I guess I was too much of a noob back then.
John Morgan, from Morgan Recruiting (obviously), comes off as rude and condescending. He might claim he's just being honest, but he just seems like a legit douche.
Emily from Work 'N Play didn't want to assist me because I was a gyopo, and that I was only eligible for hagwon jobs in rural areas. I looked elsewhere and have been offered several high paying jobs in Seoul and a position with SMOE. 
I recommend ATC and Korvia --- the former especially since they offer both private and public jobs whereas the latter is strictly public.
Edit: Korea Connections is also great, especially if you're interested in a position with SMOE without having to go through EPIK. Mr. Jay Lee is a very kind man. 
And YIKES! @ Ksamsoon.  |
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mariaanceney
Joined: 07 Jan 2011
Location: 840 UNITED STATES
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:05 am Post subject: Re: GMSC |
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You may only find 20, but you really only need 1, as long as it's good, and as long as you get it.
To be honest, I don't have a lot of experience, but from my experience, recruiters don't do all that much, like you said.
My recruiter may have been terrible, but she didn't do anything to help with my visa process and job application. Actually, she gave us a lot of misinformation, and made communication between me and my employer difficult.
I'm sure there are wonderful recruiters that only recruit for amazing jobs... However, I didn't find one.
| mariaanceney wrote: |
| Don't use a recruiter. Only apply to schools that are sifting through their own applicants. |
This is just foolishness.
Look for yourself and you might find 20 jobs and have no assistance in the job and visa application process.
Use 20 recruiters and you will find 1000 jobs. |
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koreakk
Joined: 08 Mar 2012
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:55 am Post subject: Good- Appletree, BAD- Seoul ESL, Sammie Kang |
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SeoulESL, with Sammie Kang, is a horrible recruiter.
After my boss sexually harassed me, Sammie Kang tried to help him find a way to have ME deported.
Be safe! Be informed!
Best of luck :) |
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