Job Discussion Forums

[mpan]

Any one out there ever deal with this recruiting agency? I have talked to one of the agents and he sounded pretty reasonable. They seem to be straight up, just wondering if anyone had dealt with them to give me an outside opinion. http://www.esldewey.com.tw/

Cheers,
mpan

[clark.w.griswald]

Dewey is probably one of the few examples of a recruiter who is willing to do his job and provide the service that we would expect of a recruiter. This just goes to show that blanket statements such as 'never use a recruiter' are largely overgeneralizations.

While I am sure that there may be some ex-users of this service that may not have been entirely happy with the service, the comments on record about this particular recruiter seem to be largely positive. The only negative comments that I am aware of relate to own of the service staff (David Huang) and those complaints were pretty minor - something about not being overly enthusiastic about followiing through.

As always, exercise care, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Do you homework and visit the school that you will be working with. Sign your contract with the school, make sure that that school will be the one that your ARC is issued in the name of, and ensure that the school pays you directly and not through the recruiter.

[Ki]

While I am always one to show caution when using a recruiter I will put myself out on a limb and say that I have "used" Dewey before. I have also been in contact with David. I don't have any complaints about them. David was helpful, enthusiastic and followed through afterwards. Actually, I probably found him to be too enthusiastic, making their positions sound far better than what they actually are. (About $10,000 to few for the hours). Also be careful of any "big year bonuses", you pay for it with a much smaller salary. I don't think any of them are special. All positions are in smaller cities or towns so make sure that you can live in a small Taiwanese town before accepting.

Apart from them endlessly promoting these jobs on various websites, the only problem I found was that the one job I did go for also included more work for less pay than was stated. I think that they have now rectified that. However I can happily report that the contract IS with the school.

And me? I decided to forget about that job and eventually found something else somewhere else.

[puiwaihin]

I've talked with them. Their offers are just a little below standard. You can definitely do better. I'd suggest going with a chain school like Hess or Kojen if you're just starting out and are afraid to come without a solid job.

[Aristotle]

Please read this.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck!
A.

[Girl Scout]

I too have had experience with Dewey. I have to agree with most of what was already stated.(except one) I was allowed to go and look at the school. I think this is one of the reason Dewey is considered a decent recruiter.

I did not end up accepting the position offered. I found one on my own. I personally do not think chain schools are any better.

Basically Clark said it best, do your homework and make sure you sign with the school.

[Ki]

Girl Scout,
Of course you were allowed to look at the school before signing. How else would you interview and demo? I don't have any problems with chain schools but do fail to see how HESS' positions are favourable to those with DEWEY. I looked at both and both wanted to send me to some one horse town with a below standard salary.

[matchstick_man]

A lot of the schools Dewey has are the type where the foreigner is not needed to do a demo or an interview as not that many people are willing to live in small town Taiwan. I work at one such school. Actually I've worked at more than one. Interviews and demos are done when there is competition for a job or the laoban has an idea about the type of personality/teaching style they want the foreign teacher to have.

There's not a lot of competition for jobs in small town Taiwan.

[colin]

I've known David for quite a while. Good guy,helpful and I think pretty honest. I think he runs an honest business,but it's the school you are placed at that really matters. He placed me at a horrible school in Mingjen in which a I had to deal with a very dishonest Laoban. Two weeks later he place me in a different school. Year and a half later I am still at the same school and working for the nicest people in Taiwan.

[Aristotle]

There is no such thing as a good recruiter on Taiwan. Recruiters on Taiwan offer low wages to teachers for relatively good paying jobs and pocket the difference.
Stay away from recruiters if you have any choice at all.
Good luck!
A.

[clark.w.griswald]