Job Discussion Forums

[arnobi]

A couple of months ago, a man claiming to be an employment agent called me. He offered me a couple of jobs that sounded interesting, one at an adult ed outfit and one at a K-12.

The grass is always greener, so I went along and interviewed. One of the prospective employers told me that this person had told them that 20% of everything I ever earned there should be sent to him, as his fee.

Of course, I almost fell off my chair laughing. The self-styled agent did not mentiona fee when he contacted me, and he's dreaming if he thinks he's going to get anything out of me now.

Heads up, though. I doubt that he's a licensed or established agent. If he calls YOU, my advice is to write down the information he gives you and contact the employer on your own.

I wouldn't mind paying an agent if he actually provided a service that I could not , or did not have time to, provide myself, and stipulated this at the beginning of our relationship, but to claim a huge percentage after the fact for having done practically nothing is ludicrous.

[Stephen Jones]

At least let on who the supposed agent was! I rather suspect I know actually!

It is normal for an agent to come to an agreement with the employer. The normal rate for EFL teaching is between 8-12% of annual salary plus any expenses incurred, such as telephone calls. This of course should be agreed beforehand.

In computing the agents rates are much higher. 50% of salary, or 4 months cash payment is not at all uncommon.

[talawanda]

Yes, knowing the particulars of the agent Arnobi dealt with would be helpful to other teachers who might run across him/her. MOD EDIT

[Finnegan]

Hello,

I am unsure as to why there would be a reason to censor such warnings on this or any other 'forum'. A forum is just that, an opportunity for a group to exchange in ideas of common interest. Any issue of libel would not be Dave's problem, but the author, if the information was simply defamatory and without substance. How else would prospective teachers learn of such scams? Perhaps the censors might contribute??

[Guy Courchesne]

[moonraven]

Guy, then why does Dave have this bit in the Rules section?

"Therefore you acknowledge that all posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable."

Of course, when push comes to shove disclaiming responsibility doesn't ALWAYS work....

[Guy Courchesne]

The warning sounds like the standard issue warning they put on everything in the US. Ever see those little packets of some chemical or other they slide into pockets of new jackets? DO NOT EAT they read. Probably save countless American lives every year.

[moonraven]

And PMs?

[Guy Courchesne]

There's one currently warming in the oven...