Job Discussion Forums

yamanjoe · Joined: 09 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: USA

We all know that looking for a new job is not always an easy task, just like looking for a new teacher is not easy for schools. We don't always get the call that we want when we want to get it. That call we wanted sometimes comes at less than opportune moments. Sometimes schedules must be reworked and decisions must be made and everyone knows that it aint over 'til the contract has been signed and up until that point, there is no deal and anything is possible.

I'm a new arrival here in Taiwan and was out running around today looking for a new job. I made a mistake with my scheduling and ended up behind schedule, arriving late for a session of class observations (and a possible teaching demo) with a school with which I am not yet under contract. I called the school, apologized, showed up late but participated for the remainder of the school day and then came home to read this email from a MOD EDIT who recruits for esldewey and was helping me in my search:

MOD EDIT told me you didn't show up.
And you didn't call me to cancel the demo,either.
I found out you are very insincere and dishonest.
We lined up the demo and interview trying to get you an ESL job,
while you didn't call me to cancel the demo.
We will report your name to the Taiwanese educational department
and Taipei Work Office to blacklist you as an unwelcome person.
Regards,
MOD EDIT

One half hour later, I recieved a follow-up letter:

MOD EDIT
saying you finally called her around 4PM and would do a demo this Saturday.
MOD EDIT is very friendly and nice.
She does hope she can work out a suitable job with you.
She said as you arrive there,call her so she can pick you up.
I haven't sent your name to the Taipei Work Office and educational department.
But the delayed call really shocked us.
Because we have been trying so hard to line up an ESL job for you, we hope
you can treat us with sincerity and honesty.
She thinks much of you so I hope you can pay her back with sincerity and finally you both can work out!
Thank you!
MOD EDIT

a short note: The name Mod EDIT was substituted for the real English nickname of the school's director.

Here's the deal with these recruiters: They are neither employed by us teachers nor do they have our best interest at heart. The fact that we are free individuals with a free choice is only an inconvenience to be surmounted. They will play us like accordions to get us to sign a contract with a school that they introduced us to so that they can get their paycheck. Make no mistake however, they are not your friend!

Mr. White · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 36

yamanjoe · Joined: 09 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: USA

Thanks, Mr. White, for your well-wishes.

What I mean by not employed by us is that we don't pay them anything for their services.

It's the schools that pay and so it's to the schools that there loyalty lies...well i guess their loyalty lies to themselves in the end but well, you know what i mean.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Yes and Dewey are supposed to be 1 of the few reliable recruiters. It all goes downhill from there. My 1 and only experience at 1 of their schools ended badly when I showed up 3 hours late for the interview I was never told about. But no empty threats about being blacklisted by either party. I just didn�t get the job is all. The blacklist thing is only when you leave your ARC school without giving notice. Nothing a recuiter would have any influence over.

dvasas · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 138 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

You can try Reach To Teach Recruiting they may be able to help you...

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Think of this as a window on Taiwan culture. It exists elsewhere but certainly here. The school doesn't want to look bad, admit fault, or even compromise so puts blame entirely on the teacher. The truth is irrelevent. The recruiter believes the school entirely and launches into their own abuse or revenge before asking the teacher for his side to the story.

Get used to it.

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

johndewey · Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Taiwan

Hi yamanjoe,

Thanks for sharing regarding the matter of the fact you feel you got threatened by one of the recruiters of Dewey.

It's sad to hear about this. It's also not easy to be convinced.

I'd like to ask you to consider me as someone who can really do some action in Dewey as long as you would give me a chance to know who threatened you as that particularly.
All I need to know is the name of the recruiter and the name of the school you went for the interview. (The one you were late....)

If you don't like to mention this publicly, would you like to send me an email at [email protected].

You'd get my reply for sure as long as you write me.

I just want to say hopefully you'd not consider one particular recruiter of Dewey can represent all of them sincerely

Regards

A

happeningthang · Joined: 08 Oct 2003 Posts: 117

No need to be confrontational or upset with their machinations - it's the way the game's played - you know it, they know it. Just make sure they know that you know.

I've found that one way to make your recruiter's behave is to be upfront about how many of their competitors you're seeing.

It lets them know you're not an idiot - that you want the best possible deal, instead of any old job they happen to have on the books - and that they're readily replaced.