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Tieren
Joined: 03 Nov 2004
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:23 am Post subject: International Teacher Recruiters |
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| Does anyone know how one can get in contact with English teacher recruiters located overseas? |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:23 am Post subject: |
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If you are looking for companies based overseas that recruit teachers to teach in China, then there are plenty of them. They advertise on this and other boards and there is a list of recruiters over at www.buxiban.com It is not a full list, but the most comprehensive that I am aware of.
If you are going to be dealing through a recruiter I would probably recommend that you go for a local outfit with a good reputation, rather than a company based overseas. New Times International and Buckland are two local recruiters who have pretty good reputations.
Although I like the idea of dealing with a foreign recruiter based upon the concept that they would likely have a better idea of what you the teacher needs, I haven't been overly impressed by the companies that I have personally had contact with. It is nice to be able to communicate easily, but I find that many of the overseas outfits don't have the level of knowledge that I believe they should have, and I also note the fact that it would be next to impossible for them to solve problems that may arise.
If you are going to go with a recruiter, my advice is to go with a local firm with a solid reputation. |
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tw
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 3898
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:37 am Post subject: |
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| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
If you are going to be dealing through a recruiter I would probably recommend that you go for a local outfit with a good reputation, rather than a company based overseas.
Although I like the idea of dealing with a foreign recruiter based upon the concept that they would likely have a better idea of what you the teacher needs...It is nice to be able to communicate easily, but I find that many of the overseas outfits don't have the level of knowledge that I believe they should have, and I also note the fact that it would be next to impossible for them to solve problems that may arise.
If you are going to go with a recruiter, my advice is to go with a local firm with a solid reputation. |
Very good point.
Nonetheless, here is a recruiter based in Vancouver (Canada) who is an immigrant from Beijing (hometown is in Shandong): www.teachingenglishinchina.com
The guy's name is Steve and his English is excellent. |
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KES
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 722
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:12 am Post subject: |
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| Why do you need a recruiter? |
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Mideatoo
Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 424
Location: ...IF YOU SAY SO...
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:39 am Post subject: |
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| Reading experiences on this website and others��� 85% of FT had problem(s) and some very big problem(s) with recruiters�......... The remaining 15% were lucky.... |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:35 am Post subject: |
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| KES wrote: |
| Why do you need a recruiter? |
You don't.
Having said that however, there are certain number of teachers who would never consider just arriving in China and finding a position once they arrive. China is a big place, and if you don't speak the language then that makes it ten times bigger. If there were no recruiters then it is likely that these people could all end up in the big cities, and end up in positions with language centers. Many of these are not legal positions as they do not provide visas etc.
Of course there are a number of recruiters that should be avoided at all costs. However just because someones business is teacher recruiting, does not mean that they will automatically rip you off. Of course dealing with a third party if you can deal direct should be avoided as it multiplies the chances of misunderstandings occuring. But the reality is that some very good positions are not really available directly as the schools that offer those positions don't always advertise them. They may choose to deal through a recruiter as this makes the process easy for them too.
So for those who are already here, those who speak the language, or those that are a bit more adventurous, recruiters are not really a very feasible option.
Those who feel the need to take advantage of the services offered by a recruiter shouldn't be afraid to do so. Just make sure that you follow these few simple rules:
1. Research the recruiter that you are dealing with.
2. If possible find out the name of the school that you are to be placed at and research that school. If the recruiter won't give you the name of the school then at least research the town, city, and/or province that the school is in. This way you will possibly find the names of some of the best and worst schools which will prepare you for when you arrive.
3. Ask the recruiter lots of questions. If you are not happy with the responses then find another recruiter.
4. Ask to see a copy of the contract with the school and make sure that this is the actual contract that you will be asked to sign when you arrive.
5. Ask for contact details for some present and past teachers who have both used the recruiters service; and have worked at the school in which you are to be placed. Make sure you contact these teachers as on occasion you may be given dead links.
6. Ensure that payment is made directly to you and not through the recruiter. This removes the opportunity of the recruiter to skim off the top of your wages. There is a very good recruiter in China who does collect your wages for you and seems to handle them responsibly, but the above should apply in most other cases.
7. Don't sign anything before you arrive (unless you want to arrive on a Z visa - which may or may not be an advantage). I don't see any need for you to sign anything with the recruiter. If you want your visa arranged for your arrival then you will need to sign with the school - but you should be wary of signing up for a school that you have never visited.
Maybe others can add to this list. |
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Mideatoo
Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 424
Location: ...IF YOU SAY SO...
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| Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:41 am Post subject: |
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| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
1. Research the recruiter that you are dealing with. |
VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE
| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
2. If possible find out the name of the school that you are to be placed at and research that school... |
THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN, AND IF IT DOES HAPPEN "THEY" WILL SEND YOU TO ANOHTER SCHOOL ANYWAY...
| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
3. Ask the recruiter lots of questions. |
HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO EAR...
| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
4. Ask to see a copy of the contract with the school and make sure that this is the actual contract that you will be asked to sign when you arrive. |
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF IT IS A "REAL" ONE...
 HAHAHA HA |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:36 am Post subject: |
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I see posts like yours all the time Mideatoo - a lot of negativity but no real solution. We are all aware that there are recruiters out there that are best avoided, but they are not all like that. It's very easy to make the sort of post that you just made 'that won't work' etc. but it's not very helpful. So I would like to know how you would recommend that teachers looking for work in China find good jobs here.
My suggestions above were offered as a guide for those who choose to deal with a recruiter, but they would be equally applicable to people going with a school directly. If the recruiter that you are dealing with does not come through with your requests as per above then you can choose whether or not you want to deal with that recruiter.
In answer to your comments please find the following:
| Mideatoo wrote: |
| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
1. Research the recruiter that you are dealing with. |
VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE |
I disagree. There is more information online now about schools and recruiters in China than there has ever been. I don't understand how you could suggest that researching a recruiter is virtually impossible. All you need is a computer!
| Mideatoo wrote: |
| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
2. If possible find out the name of the school that you are to be placed at and research that school... |
THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN, AND IF IT DOES HAPPEN "THEY" WILL SEND YOU TO ANOHTER SCHOOL ANYWAY... |
Strange! It does happen so I don't know how you can suggest that it will never happen. I included the words 'if possible' above as I acknowledge that not every recruiter will give you this information, but then that is the point in asking for it.
In some cases the recruiter doesn't know where they are going to place you until you arrive. In those cases the recruiter would not be able to answer your question and this may indicate that it may be best to avoid that particular recruiter. This is the whole point of the question.
In other cases the recruiter does know where you will be placed but doesn't want to tell you for fear that you will go directly to the school and cut them out of the deal. This indicates to me that the recruiter doesn't have a very strong relationship with the school and is another reason why this is an important question to ask.
Finally, in some cases the recruiter will be very open about the school, you can then contact the school, and then you can be confident that all is well. This is how you work the system to find the best position possible and best protect yourself.
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