Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject:

Dear monoxide,
As in "short-listed for the Booker Prize". From a larger pool of applicants, those with the best resumes/qualifications/experience are put on the "short-list". It's usually the penultimate step in a kind of filtering, weeding out process.
Regards,
John

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

Dear all-caps, insulting recruiter:

1) I am not unqualified, nor is anyone who actually lives and works in Taiwan currently.

2) I responded to a post by a prospective English teacher and I posted my opinion with regards to what he stated was being offered to him. I post as someone who lives and works here (and has for some time now).

3) I have a great attitude. My students love me. As I look at my spacious appartment (in my name), motorcycle (in my name) as well as other things only an established LEGAL resident can obtain, I have to conclude that I'm not here for the "free hotel and the sight-seeing ( and/ or whatever slanderous nonsense was meant by that remark)." I am precisely one of the "types who make successful English teachers," not that you are anyone qualified to judge me.

4) Yes, I am employed. I have been ever since I arrived here. However, I will state that I am employed in spite of the ordeal I was put through by a recruiter such as youself. Recruiters, as anyone actually here will tell you, are like a sixth toe --- completely unnecessary. In fact, I would go as far as to suggest they are like a cancerous sixth toe, in so far as they often do far more harm than good.

5) As a fellow Canadian, I find your anti-American bias to be immature. But I'm truly glad you chose to share your prejudices. It reveals alot about the kind of person you are; and it's another reason why you ought to be avoided.

6) I have no financial motive behind posting advice here (unlike you). I post purely to save people alot of unwanted hassle and trouble in what is a major, life-altering move for most people. I post based on my experience. But don't take my word for it. The vast majority of members here, as well as www.tealit.com and www.forumosa.com strongly advise against recruiters for obtaining work here in Taiwan.

Finally, to the original person who posted a question:

Avoid recruiters. They are a risky middleman that can be avoided entirely if you do even a little work on your own. Check www.tealit.com for daily postings of job opportunities. As a final note -- and I know this isn't what you want hear (but I'm not a reruiter. As such, I'm less inclined to weave fairy tales)-- consider whether it is really worth it for you to come. You said you have no degree. This will put you at a disadvantage almost constantly here. There are numerous foreigners here teaching; most have degrees. You will likely be left with the table scraps, piecing together sub jobs and part time jobs to make your money. You will also have to pay for bogus language courses to extend your visa. You will also have to leave regularly on visa trips, thus cutting into your savings. Your choice, really. But I'm not going to tell lies. Make informed decisions and, whatever you do, be careful.

wombat · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134

This thread is probably the best example of why not to use a recruiter. I don't believe that recruiters are all out to rip us off, but the posts by Gordon here really show how recruiters react when there is a problem. No sympathy, no 'Ok, let's see what we can do to work this out!'. It's all 'I never said that and if you thought that is how things are then that's your problem'.

Don't be fooled into thinking that having a job lined up before you have arrived or using a recruiter somehow provides security. It doesn't, and I think that Gordon has proved this point quite well here.

monoxide · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 22

*bump*

just thought this post should be brought back up to the forefront of the forum again. great example of a couple of average would-be teachers trying to get more information about a recruiter, and discovering that there are services that might be better left alone.

the_p0et · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 52

How's it gong? You must be getting excited being that you'll be leaving soon!

I know I am. I'm on route now to Taiwan. I probably won't be there for another couple weeks though.

monoxide · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 22

definately excited. are you purchasing travel insurance? i'm about to drop around $175(US) on 180 days of coverage for all sorts of things. it covers a variety of things related to ticket complications as well as medical sorts of things.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Why are you dealing with recruiters? You can earn NT540 from a chain school that is a known quantity (if not the best choice). They generally put you up for a bit when you get there too.

monoxide · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 22

i'm not.

Wander · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

Artisan International is now trading as Artisan Training College and has an advert on the current Job list entitled 'Weekend Foundation TESOL Certificate - Train for 2 days in Canada and start teaching overseas immediately!'.

If anyone has any experience of 'Artisan XXX', good, bad or indifferent, please post here.

the_p0et · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 52

Hey Guys!

I totally forgot about this thread from last year. Can't believe I've been living here in Taiwan for over 1 year now! It's had it's ups and downs like all places. A very good thing is that I managed to pay off all of my student loans and enough to go on an Around the World trip starting in 2 weeks! Very Happy

I did end up going through a recruiter. Not someone like Artisan (don't trust them!) but I went through another fellow Canadian who was already down here in Taiwan. I think it's good to go through a personal recruiter for your first year here who can deal with all the stuff that needs to be done. If I come back again, I'll definately do it on my own though! You'll make an extra few thousand NT$ per month on your own.

See ya.

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

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

There is no such thing as a good recruiter/agent on Taiwan!

4. Don't use a recruiter or work for chain schools if you can avoid it.

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

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

I think that many recruiters like to refer to themselves as agents or consultant companies or whatever other euphemism to avoid the negative conotations implied in the term 'recruiter'. At the end of the day they are the same thing. Recruiter is as recruiter does, that's what my momma always told me.