Job Discussion Forums

T-Bird · Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 7

Anyone familiar with these guys? Heard some nasty stuff. Has anyone dealt with them?

I know first timers ask stupid questions and the general warning is to stay away from any recruiter, but from what I see it doesn't look too bad. They offer free accomodation and you are allowed to tutor privately after hours. Minimum pay is 50 000 NTD.

Thanx.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

I think a good rule of thumb is to read 'minimum pay' and then take off about 20% to get an idea of what you're more likely to get as a 'minimum pay'.

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

I have a number of South Arican friends who came over after using them. What fortigun said is correct. However some of my frieds have stayed in their jobs for a number years. The jobs tend to be in backwater towns for chain schools....a good oppurtunity if you are here only to save but not so good if you want a social life with other foreigners.

It may be a good deal if you are South African and Afrikaans speaking rather than a native speaker. It can be a good start. I belive there is another thread here about these recruiters.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Stay away from recruiters if you have any choice at all. You could do better selling hot dogs on the street.
Please read this,
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.

wombat · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134

Dragon Recruiters do in fact have schools of their own, contrary to the advice that I posted on the earlier thread.

Of course the normal warnings apply as far as dealing with recruiters. Past that though, I would think that Dragon Recruiters is as good as any. I haven't heard anything terrible about them.

Check out the deal. Ask lots of questions. Visit the school and speak with current or past teachers. If everything sounds fine then go for it.

T-Bird · Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 7

Thanx for your input guys. I seem to get the impression that the best option still is to get to Taiwan first and look for a job there. What would be the best time to come? Late January or early February 2005 ? I am not sure when Chinese Newyear is celebrated , but understand that schools close during this time. Is it worth the trouble to start searching for a job during the holidays, or should I wait untill the schools reopen?

SSETH, I had a look at what you suggested. Thanx. You will definitively be hearing from me soon.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Beware of another "consultant" agency that has been advertising on Dave's. Can't help you with Dragon though.
Mid-Feb is probably the best time to arrive, immediately after Chinese New Year. Good luck, (especially with the recruiter).

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

T-Bird · Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 7

Thanx again Ki and TaoyuanSteve!

More than ever it seems that the best option is still to fly over and just wing it.....

The whole idea of boarding a plane without a job waiting on the other side of the world, is still very difficult to digest. I have been in the same boring (but stable) profession for the last 9 years. (Mantra to self :"DON"T freak out! DON"T freak out!!)

But when in Rome.............?

Just relax and enjoy the ride I suppose.

I'm somewhere in my early thirties (although vanity tells me I look years younger!!!!!!). Will this impact negatively on finding work? I am a newbie anyway.... Hope not.
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kop · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

Hi T-Bird
I went out to Taiwan a few years ago with Dragon (from SA, they started here, the dude is from here.) As far as i know they now have a school in Koishung and like i said in my other post under "scams" this leads me to believe that they must have done something right at some point, i just never saw it.
My Boyfriend and I are actually still trying to get our money back from them on the principal of the thing, ill send you the full sopp story personally fyi.
best of luck if its too late! as everyone else has already told you, best not to use a recruiter FULL STOP.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

T-Bird · Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 7

kop & Aristotle

Dragon's contact email - [email protected] (their South African adress) no longer exists.

I suspect their CapeTown office went bust - so maybe there is justice
after all.

After reading all your posts I hope this is the case.

T-Bird

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

Is this the same Dragon Recruitment that is based in Shanghai, China?

Does anyone know?

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

Just to ask the question again, in case anyone knows...

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Yes, it is.

You will see in their recruitment information that they are indeed one and the same.

They also have some schools here in Taiwan.

Considering their exposure to the market they seem to be okay.