Job Discussion Forums

[snollygoster]

Has anyone had experience with a recruiter in Saigon:
HJ PLACEMENT, run by Heather Wright, an Australian?

I have some friends who say to avoid this recruiter because she takes a commission from the school, and also from the teacher.

I dont know how this goes down in Vietnam, but in most western countries, it is certainly illegal.

Comments?

[ajc19810]

She used to work for VATC and do all their TESOL certificates and then place the teachers. Also ran some recruitment drives for VATC in Oz. She's a nice lady and placed someone who I knew. No problem with my mates placement, salary, school all good.
No idea if she is taking commission from teachers.

[RailroadFrank]

Yes- this recruiter DOES charge a fee. I was told that I would need to pay $299US to be introduced to a possible employer.

The services I was quoted as being included in the fee were Airport pick up, lodging at a backpacker hotel for my first night, a meal, a welcome package (?), and introduction to ONE possible employer.
I am considering other options, but do not rule out the possibility this may be OK.
I was given some e-mail addresses of others recruited and surprisingly, the ones who answered said they were NOT charged a fee.

Friends in Vietnam tell me it is unnecessary to use a recruiter, as jobs are freely available to those who have the guts to front up to schools by themselves.

One even said he has four jobs and would be pleased to give me one of them! No fee!

[Tanker]

[BenE]

I wanted to see how some people are working here so I contacted her and asked for information about working in VN.

The course is not to the standard you need for a decent job in VN

The jobs offered are for people with no CELTA or equivalent cert.

The course offered for the price of $1199 is below the standard required for teaching at a reputable location in Vietnam.

Avoid this business at all costs it is a scam.

[snollygoster]

"Dr. Bao, also formerly from VATC like the other person mentioned, is also General Deputy Director of VUS now."

Actually, he has now returned to VATC at last report.

[Tanker]

[snollygoster]

A previous poster had mentioned the TESOL course as not being beneficial in securing a "decent" job in Vietnam.

Reply from a teacher in Saigon (Name withheld but available)

"FOR YOUR INFORMATION I AM ON ONLY 160,000 vnd ($8.64) WITH MY INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND DIPLOMA! " (ATA Advanced Professional TESOL Dip).

WITHOUT this Diploma, Universities and better quality ESL establishments in Vietnam offer $22.00 (407,000Vnd) per hour.

Maybe everyone should have one so we can reduce our salaries!