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springdruidess
Joined: 29 May 2003
Posts: 2
Location: Calgary, AB
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 Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2003 7:30 pm Post subject: Couple of questions... |
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Hello!
I was just wondering about people's opinions about going through a recruiting agency versus direct contact with the individual schools. I've seen a few recruiting agency websites lately, and it seems like it might be easier/safer than doing it yourself - but things aren't always what they seem, right?
Second question - some schools/agencies seem to require a copy of my degree that has been notarized by the country's consulate in Canada. This didn't seem like a big request until I realized that there aren't any of the needed Consulate's in my area, and it will cost me like $200 to travel to the nearest one. Anyone else faced this problem? And if so - what did you do about it? Any suggestions? comments? etc... ?
Thanks |
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bnix
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 645
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2003 3:45 am Post subject: Springdruidess,eh? |
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Catchy handlle,albeit perhaps a bit long.
Recruiters?"Safer"?"Easier"? Ah,no.Most of them are only interested in the recruitng fee.although of course they will try to persuade you they are interested in YOU.Well,in a a way,they are.You are kind of a walking $ to them.They want to get your name on the contract and your bod on that plane.If there are problems later,most of them have never heard of you.They have moved on to the "fresh kill". That is probably true for(conservatively)ninety per cent of recruiters.Contact the schools on your own.That does not necessarily guarantee you anything,either,but at least the situation is not complcated by dealing with a sleazebag recruiter.
On your other problem...call up the embassy of the country in question.Ask them if you can send your copy of your diploma by express mail(DHL or whatever).I know they do it in the US..probably in Canada,too.So you will probably have to pay a totoal of about $60(US...roughly) by doing it by mail.Not exactly cheap,but it is cheaper and probably less stressing than going in person to the embassy in question.
Best of luck.  |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2003 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Couple of questions... |
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| springdruidess wrote: |
| I was just wondering about people's opinions about going through a recruiting agency versus direct contact with the individual schools. I've seen a few recruiting agency websites lately, and it seems like it might be easier/safer than doing it yourself - but things aren't always what they seem, right? |
1) I think recruiter's are generally a waste of time - unless you are looking for something like a specific location that the recruiter specializes in. It doesn't sound like that's the case with you.
2) Phone the consulate and ask them what they recommend. You can probably phone them and ask them what they recommend. |
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Ms_S
Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah they can be tricky, i've found contacting schools directly works quite well... |
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Shonai Ben
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 617
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| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| I had my lawyer notarize my degrees.......and he didn't charge me anything......but that was my case. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Couple of questions... |
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| springdruidess wrote: |
Hello!
I was just wondering about people's opinions about going through a recruiting agency versus direct contact with the individual schools. I've seen a few recruiting agency websites lately, and it seems like it might be easier/safer than doing it yourself - but things aren't always what they seem, right?
Second question - some schools/agencies seem to require a copy of my degree that has been notarized by the country's consulate in Canada. This didn't seem like a big request until I realized that there aren't any of the needed Consulate's in my area, and it will cost me like $200 to travel to the nearest one. Anyone else faced this problem? And if so - what did you do about it? Any suggestions? comments? etc... ?
Thanks |
About the consulate certification, it is an immigration requirement for Korea and you can do it by mail. Contact the consulate in Vancouver for specifics.
You may also want to cruise through the Korean forums (separate registration to log in and post but anyone can lurk and read).
As far as a recruiter goes...
Use as many as you need to find the job you want , with the benefits you want, in the area you want, at the time you want.
A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer. They will have contacts that you do not have unless you have been there before and have your own network in your preferred country. Often they are a necessary evil - ESPECIALLY when applying from abroad.
Hello Mr. English speaker this is Mr academy owner.
Mr. academy 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 - a bridge to a job that you wouldn't otherwise be able to find - just like a salesman on a car lot.
You walk onto the lot and see what they have on offer. If you see something you like then you stay and talk to the salesman. Then, if you are still interested, it is YOUR responsibility get it checked out.
If it checks out then you sign the contract and drive away with your new job.
If nothing from the recruiter appeals to you you move on to the next one and look some more.
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 to = walk away now.
Accept NO EXCUSES for any reason.
The hard questions to ask AND get acceptable answers to ARE:
-What are the hours? (start time / stop time / breaks).
-How many classes per day, week, month? NOT hour many hours per month. 30 classroom hours can mean anything from 1350 -1800 minutes per week standing in front of the class. The difference can be up to 7.5 HOURS in front of the class EACH WEEK.
-Do they ALWAYS pay on time? (no=red flag 1)
-Do they pay at the end of your month or do they have a hold back period (5-10 days after your month end) to prevent runners? (no=red flag 2)
-Do they really pay overtime or avoid it with creative book keeping? (no=red flag 3)
-Do you get credit for classes on the national holidays or do you get the day off but still have to work your 120 hours before you get overtime? (no=red flag 4)
-Do they have national medical (with the little booklet)? (no=red flag 5)
-Do they pay into pension? (no=red flag 6) These two are legal requirements (not optional) and are usually NOT complied with (to your detriment).
-What about the holidays? 10 or more WORKING days? (legal requirement here) (no=red flag 7)
-When and how do you get your holidays?
-What extra stuff do you really have to do - mentioned or not in the contract.
-Then consider the quality of life issues - things that are important to you that aren't mentioned here (housing, furnishings, THE BATHROOM, access to recreational facilities, shopping, banking).
Do they take additional deposits in addition to the delay in payday? (yes=red flag Cool
I would also like to mention for comparison:
My co-worker (at a public school) who is a green as grass, fresh off the boat newbie gets a base salary of 2.1 mil per month for 22 classes of 40 minutes each.
She gets 20k won for each 40 minute class over 22 per week and works from 8:30-4:30 each day. She usually averages 26 classes per week and her salary works out to about 2.5 mil per month.
She also gets (as required by law and ignored by most hakwons) NHIC medical, pension, severance, non-shared housing, airfare and 4 weeks annual PAID vacation.
Do NOT be in a rush to sign anything. There is NO rush or urgency in spite of what your recruiter may tell you.
Take your time. The job (or more likely a better one) will still be there next week and probably next month too.
There are 30,000 openings in Korea each year and only about 25,000 applicants to fill those jobs each year.
.
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Captain_Fil
Joined: 06 Jan 2011
Posts: 604
Location: California - the land of fruits and nuts
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| Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:59 am Post subject: |
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Thanks tttompatz.
You've given newbies like me some very useful info.
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