Job Discussion Forums

ultramagicalunicorn · Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 6

I've nearly finished a year long contract in a hagwon in Korea, and am planning to head to Japan to teach with a WHV soonish. However, it turns out that my current hagwon manager is an insane demon who drinks the blood of puppies, and is unlikely to give me a good reference.

I'm planning on not using (/being used) by NOVA et al. to set up in Japan, but instead want to stick to smaller companies. How important are reference letters from past employees in obtaining such jobs? I'm wondering if its worth buttering up the evil serpent-manager to squeeze a favourable letter out of her.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

furiousmilksheikali

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

furiousmilksheikali

ultramagicalunicorn · Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 6

What do I have against NOVA?: most people complain about it; it doesn't have the best working hours; I don't want to feel like a cog again; I want to live/work near friends in Chiba; and, I've read its not difficult to get better than NOVA.

Korea has drained me, and want to be better prepared for Japan with the intent of getting better than 'just any job'. Any general advice for getting something better than NOVA?

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject:

nonsmoker · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

ultramagicalunicorn,
Do you realize that in order to get a working holiday visa, you have to return to your home country and apply? Unless you are Korean (a nationality that can get the WHV), you'll have to go home and wait. It might take a day or 2 weeks, but you cannot come here directly from Korea.

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

Get your head teacher to write a reference if you need one. Korean employers are well-known for not giving out positive references. Even when they want you to go, they are mortally wounded if someone chooses to leave their precious company. This happens to Koreans in all fields, not just foreign English teachers. That's why most Korean companies don't pay much attention to references when they are hiring.

Ask a non-Korean to write it for you, that's all.

Also, you'll work better hours at Nova than any hagwon I've ever heard of. Don't forget, there's no prep there. No making photocopies, no writing report cards, no grading homework. You write files in between classes. The only time you're there is when you're teaching. Plus, you won't have to wake up at 5 in the morning.

nonsmoker · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

ndorfn · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 126

they're not important, employers never check as far as I know. few have ever been interested in looking at mine, and wouldn't dream of contacting an ex-employer.

you could write your own?

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

The three schools I worked for NEVER checked or asked for references. Doubt they would check anyhow, unless the school is run by a foreigner.

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

Aeon definitely checks references before offering a position. One of my referees was late in getting back to Aeon and the recruitment office called me to say that they wanted to offer me a position but couldn't until they had seen both of my references.