Job Discussion Forums

[sabaiidee]

I just got a contract offer from Vietnam through HJ Consultancy.They say I have to pay a US$ 299 fee when the interview with a school is organized.

I am under the impression that schools generally paid the recruiters this fee. Many times I have read that we teachers should not pay a recruiter a fee of any sort.

Also the contract specifies no specific amount of money but mentions they will provide accomodation with a private room, television and a fan. Is this my own apartment or will I be expected to share an apartment with someone. I gather if I don't like the accomodation they will pay a 2-way bus ticket and give me US$100 towards a place in HCMC.

I am leary to say the least.

Any advice.

Thanks

[fladude]

I'd suggest sending me the money. I can arrange for interviews for you. In fact you can interview with me for $299.

That's sarcasm kids.

[I'm With Stupid]

What do you mean you got a contract offer? A contract for what? For them to do something you can do in ten minutes yourself? Sounds like a rip off to me. I've just been on their website, and they appear to do absolutely nothing that any decent school won't do for free.

[Andy123]

I know one of the staff at HJ. Professional con.

Run as fast as you can.

Never, ever send a recruiter money is the rule worldwide!

[tefl peasant]

[cb400]

I have worked and lived in Hanoi, VN for over 6 years, never even heard of a recruiter up here...they are simply not needed.

Never NEVER NEVER send money to a recruiter, they do not really exist.

Vietnam is the last place in the world you need to use a recruiter, contact the schools yourself.

Use the job section here on this site, google, ELT world and the other sites to find work in VN.

NEVER NEVER send money to a recruiter anywhere.

[sabaiidee]

Thank you so very much for your responses. I got a real kick out of the one that said he/she would interview me! I appreciate a quirky sense of humour.

I shall take a pass. I actually got 2 phone calls this morning while teaching here in Laos from HJ. They must really want me!!!

[shanewarne]

Yes, pay them now. They will get you a good job with big salary and lots of incentives.

[speak2meonline]

I was also posted in Vietnam and recruited by the very same agency you mention.
I would say to make sure your accomodation isn't way out in the sticks.
I was placed on the outskirts of town, with no local transportation, shops or anything, for that matter.
The accomodation I was told was fully furnished.
On arrival, there was nothing, except a bed exposed springs, no linen.
Kitchen was a bench, no fridge, no cooking facilities. Hand held shower in the toilet.
I totally relied on a driver to take me back and forth from school.
Apart from that, I was stuck in this house, with nowhere to go and might as well have been in prison, as far as I was concerned.
As far as a contract was concerned, my understanding is, it won't and cannot be signed until the school has interviewed you. That is if there ever is, in fact, a contract.
I was paid in cash, which made me very suspect. All under the table as far as I was concerned.
I had heaps of money, but no where to spend it. I was also warned, even if I stayed longer and saved my salary to bring back home, I might not even be able to take it out of the country!

My placement cost me dearly in many respects. I totally believed I was going to be in an area where I could purchase food, etc. as there were supermarkets. Nothing could have been further from the truth!

Something told me to get out as fast as I could. Which is what I did.
My biggest advice would be to check the accomodation, location and school out for yourself!
Hope this is of some help.

[tefl peasant]

[speak2meonline]

This agency is working in conjunction with a school training teachers. True, I didn't do enough research. I asked all the questions and was told, what they wanted to tell me.
When teachers are new to this line of teaching, they tend to believe that one of their own is being honest with them. I asked a lot of questions and took them at their word. True, I should have known better, but this recruiter warmed up to me more on a personal level. This is the reason why I eventually choose VN . I felt I had a contact and someone I got on well with, should I need any help.
I have often thought long and hard what I could do, to warn others. I even considered going to government agencies.

After all, I have been to 29 countries and previously had to rough it, so I wasn't as naive in not knowing what to expect. This is the very reason I asked so many questions. However, unfortunately, not everyone is totally truthful. I was naive in my trust.

It would appear to have been only $$$$$ signs in motivation.

In fact, a newbie teacher who arrived a few months after me, was also stunned once he arrived and very angry. He got caught as I did. But get this. He didn't count on being arrested, passport being taken and having to pay a large fine , to get out of jail. Why??? Because paper work hadn't been completed!
There are a few more stories of similar description. Yes, newbies, should research more, but then the trust the school and recruiter.
If I was in HCMC, I wouldn't have had a problem, I could have at least bought food.
Until you walk in another mans shoes, don't be so quick to judge! I wasn't the only one.

I posted my initial response simply to tell of my experience as with others I know of.
I was expressing my experience in response to an earlier posting. The info I provided I thought might be of some value, giving them greater foresight in making their decision.

[[email protected]]

No need to pay someone to help you find a job here. I think as long as you have a degree and/or TESOL/CELTA, you can find a job easily. Just bring enough money for two months just in case. I would say about $3000 USD.