Job Discussion Forums

[cerchier2003]

Hello,

I am of course a newbie and as such have reviewed different offers directly from schools and through recruiting firms.

My questions: Was your first job through a firm or direct with a school? Most posts I have read say dealing directly with a school is better but how realistic is that before you reach your destination? If you can't afford several trips overseas for interviews?

I have read about recruiters and the good and bad of dealing with them. Is the end result, after the possible hassles, is it worth it? Those of you who post that recruiters should be avoided I will assume have dealt with them. You stay in your country of choice for years afterwards and my conclusion is that it is worth it. Am I wrong?

I won't leave the U.S. until after the new year so I have time but I'm trying to compile as much info as possible. Any help would be appreciated.

Cerchier

[gmjones]

Hi, my first job was through inlingua. I had to travel to the other end of the UK at my own cost and have a 30 minute interview with the Director which turned out to be a session of him talking about himself. Utterly useless...

However I have since worked with 4 other schools, all of whom I have contacted either via a job advert posted directly byt the school or by emailing a school in a place I was interested in working.

My personal point of view is that agencies are just going to drag you hundreds of miles away at your own cost and you are much better off looking yourself and taking a risk... I've yet to meet someone who turned up in a place having got a job abroad and couldnt find another one if he or she didnt like it...

Gabrielle

[Glenski]

Working directly with the school can sometimes be done in your home country. Depends on how they recruit. Of course, if you live in a big country like the USA, you may still have to travel a long distance to attend the mass interviews. I was lucky in that my employer came to my city and only 2 out of 6 people showed up to take the interview.

What country are you hoping to work in?

How realistic is it to work directly with a school? Well, it is as realistic as it can get. Recruiting firms won't/can't tell you as much about the school as the school itself, plus there's always the chance that you'd be working with the people who interview you.

The rub is that unless they come to your home country, you will have to shell out money to go there and job hunt. Of course, going there shows how committed you are to the whole thing, in some employers' eyes.

[cerchier2003]

I was initially looking into Japan but after reading a number of posts it seems that S. Korea is an easier market for inexperienced teachers. I'm willing to work a year to build up my credentials.

I realize that the big 4 of Japan have offices in cities relatively close to my hometown(VA) but I wanted to begin in a less corporate operation. The small to medium size schools outside of big cities in Japan have yet to agree to phone interviews.

Going directly to S.Korea and knocking on doors sounds like a good idea especially if a job is near guaranteed. Sinking most of my money into the chance of employment does make me weary though.

Thanks for the replies. They have been helpful.

Cerchier

[Glenski]

The choice, of course, is yours, but consider this.

Phone interviews do not allow you to see or interact with the staff or the interviewer. Body language is missing. Facial cues are missing. These may be valuable when you ask incisive questions.

You cannot see the condition of the office, or its location / surroundings, or any apartment they may offer. Yeah, you can feel comfortable sitting in your underwear during the interview if you want, but so much is missing to help you decide, not just help the employer decide.

[august03]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

My first job teaching ESL was directly through the school... in my hometown. It was after having done a year worth of practicum teaching at a couple of other schools, though- so I wasn't totally new. And it was with a really small class (but all day long) in a language camp setting.

Next, I came to Japan with the JET programme, so that is very far from directly contacting my (then potential, now current) employer for the position.

[nolefan]

My wife and I used a recruiter to secure our positions in China. I considered the direct route but I was way too unfamiliar with the small picky details.
I spoke to the recruiter over the phone and he mentioned that if things did not bode well with the school, I can always go to a different one and I believed him. It never came to that, thank god.

[cerchier2003]

Thanks all for the replies. They've been helpful.
cerchier