Job Discussion Forums

Ju99 · Joined: 09 Jan 2011 Posts: 1

I saw an advertisement for the Net program. Is it better to apply through a recuiter such as Footprints or send my appluication to the Hong Kong Education Bureau?

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

Why would you use a recruiter?

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

I don't really know anything about Footprints, but from my very limited surf, 'Hong Kong Education Bureau has formally selected Footprints Recruiting as the official, exclusive provider of Canadian teachers to the Hong Kong Primary and Secondary Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) positions' - from http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/teaching-in-hongkong/806-hong-kong-ministry-of-education-selects-footprints

So to answer why someone would use a recruiter - there may be no choice.

Personally, I'd prefer to do it directly if possible. Check out - http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=262

Perhaps you could write to the EDB asking them for clarification that Footprints are official.

outkasted_3000 · Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 20

i just applied directly to the EDB today. i faxed everything so i got a quick response from them telling me i'll know by february if i'll be interviewed. not holdin' my breath though.

i was going to go through footprints, being canadian and all, but i'm in korea and it'd be impossible to head back out to toronto/vancouver for interviews. much easier to hop on a flight to hk.

Ikki · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 58

Well, here's my tale of woe from last year.

Footprints(who already had my CV)contacted me & invited me to apply to NET via them. I was given the impression that Canadians HAD to go through Footprints in order to apply for NET(a dubious assertion, in retrospect). I was tickled pink, given NET's reputation as one of the best paying EFL gigs in E. Asia(albeit one with a rep for admin., etc., unpleasantries). So I had an interview with a Footprints rep. Fine. They asked for a swack of scanned docs. OK, fine.

A couple of weeks go by. Then, all of a sudden, I get an email that I need hard copies of all my docs sent to the powers that be in HK. When, I asked. "Yesterday!" Footprints said. My radar shoulda been beeping then. So I sent them by courier. Another week or so goes by. Then Footprints(I was feeling their footprints all over my downtrodden bod by this point)tells me I have to go to Vancouver(I live in mid-Western Canada)for an interview with actual officials from the HK Ed. Bureau. At this point I should've said you know what this popsicle stand but the Footprints guy said I was practically a "shoo in". I'm not one for snake oil, but I bought it this time! After I got the ad hoc last minute interview time/date, I booked a flight. THEN I get an email the next day telling me the time and date were changed!

What a difference from Japan's superb JET Programme's precise & organized application procedure!

So, I go to the interview. I go through the most illogically grueling, rude and pointless interview of my EFL career. No "warm and fuzzies" coming outta that! Not even a 'thank you' for the shy** I went through to grace them with my presence.

Wait three weeks! Get a frigging FORM letter(from Footprints!)saying I don't get a contract...no explanation, no apology...no respect(unlike JET applicants who are unsuccessful).

Why in the hell did the HK powers that be use a recruiter when the final decisions were up to them? In other words,(insert Basil Fawlty voice) "What is the bloody point?".
In all, I got screwed out of 500 bucks for... snake oil.

Applicants(at least Canuck ones), learn from my experience.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

Sounds about right ... a process riddled with bureaucracy, illogicality and nonsense. But if you get in it can be a very good gig.

jlam21 · Joined: 12 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

Hello!

This may not be perfectly fitting for this topic and may be a silly question, but i was wondering if there are any negative repercussions to applying to both NET through the Education Bureau and to ESF (English Schools Foundation).

I believe the schools that you'd be assigned to would be different, but just wondering if applying to both could be considered a conflict of interest or anything. Anyone else have experience with this? Appreciate your help with this!

Joshua2006 · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 342

To answer your question bluntly, and forgive me if I am wrong, but that is kind of like asking if it is ok to apply to MacDonald's and Burger King.....

2 different animals.

And, if I'm wrong, I apologise......

jlam21 · Joined: 12 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

Sorry, i should clarify..

I'm asking because both EDB and ESF are conducting their interviews soon and i was looking through one of ESFs policies regarding conflict of interests, so i was just worried that if i were to interview for both, that this could be considered a conflict.

I am just taking some preemptive precautions - perhaps too cautious - as i do not want to harm my chances of getting hired by either EDB or ESF.

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

It was a reasonable question. I didn't get the difference between EDB and ESF until I'd done a fair bit of browsing - does often seem like they cross over and you could get the idea that 'conflict' could arise.

But... nope, don't worry. You can apply to both. There is no conflict.

Now what's the difference between McDonald's and Burger King? I got accepted for a job at McD and refused at BK.

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

The connection between ESF and the EDB seem increasingly tenuous: applying to both is just like applying for jobs at totally unrelated schools or companies.
But if both offered you a job, you'd be deciding between two totally different critters - not merely the difference between chalk and cheese, more like, ummmm... maybe a basket of apples and a lego set, or an ipad and a hen coop. I'm not saying one job is better or worse than the other, just that the two are so different it's hard to compare them at all.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 347 Location: elsewhere

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

NET also has a retention benefit (or somesuch), which adds a few K depending on how long you've been around ...

jlam21 · Joined: 12 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

One more question, do you know if ESF Supply Teachers receive the same benefits? I am mostly concerned with the Cash Allowance that is offered in lieu of a Housing Allowance.

As someone who does not currently live in Hong Kong, i have no idea if supply teachers and full time teachers are given the same benefits...

Thanks again for your help!