Korean Job Discussion Forums

HaleyShaw · Joined: 08 Nov 2006

I have been speaking with Yu at ETIK. I only sent them an email because I was interested in this specific position. The other teachers say good things about the school and its director. Overall, the location and job are what I'm looking for.

BUT I've heard all these bad things about ETIK and am concerned that they're not really asking the director the questions that I have about salary and working hours. They're offering 2.1 but I'm asking for 2.2. Yu said that they normally pay 2.0 but are raising it to 2.1- but I don't get the impression she actually asked the director for the 2.2. The teacher said working hours were 2-8 M, W, F and 2-9:30 on T, Th but the contract just says 2-9...

Is there any way to still get to this job but without ETIK? Or, do I just try to do the best if I really want this job?

Also, is it possible to ask for a different apartment than the one the current teacher has that I'd most likely be taking? It doesn't have an oven and I like to cook. It's certainly not the end of the world if I don't have an oven for a year...but I'm just wondering if other people have experience with changing apartments.

Thanks!!

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

If you don't get results through ETIK, then you could call one of the recruiters below.

Rowan Hall
Progran Director
[email protected]

(Lingua International Korea)
4F Lingua Bldg,
44 -19 Chungdam Dong,
Gangnam Gu, Seoul
South Korea 135-100
Telephone: (82) 02 516 0517
Fax: (82) 02 516 6002
Cell: (82) 010 7219 1959

New website in December
www.esl-planet.com

(worknplay)
http://www.worknplay.co.kr/

(atc)
http://www.atcjob.com/info/info_16.php
http://www.atcjob.com/contact/index.php

(FOOTPRINTS RECRUITING INC.)
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/content.php?cat=307&abarcar_Session=e49bed01d6fdabcb4b7686f6f9694441

(Duff Recruting)
http://www.duffrecruiting.com/english/index.php

hermarkness · Joined: 01 Dec 2006

When I was still trying to deal with ETIK, I told them I wouldn't send my documents to apply until I could talk to the camp director. "Sam" (the "director") called the next day.

Tell them you won't deal with them until you can talk to the school directly. That might get results.

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

I wouldn't worry that the job is being offered through ETIK. I've always just figured that the recruiters had the jobs and it was your job to go sort out the good schools from the bad ones. Bad recruiters could have some genuinely great jobs and I'm sure a few good recruiters end up having some bad jobs too. Head teachers change and what was once a good school could turn into a bad one under the right circumstances. I mean hagwons aren't going to know which recruiters foreigners think are bad and sometimes they go through as many recruiters as possible since I don't think they need to pay unless they send them a teacher, or at least just some minimal fee (I'm making this up but I figure it's probably close to what really happens). After you talk to the school and everything seems okay, then decide. Don't give up a good job just because the school goes through a recruiter that has a sketchy reputation.

The oven will probably be something you have to live without. I don't know anyone here who has an oven, not even Koreans have them.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

I just consider my recruiter as a foot in the door or an advisor. There's no reason not to talk to the school directly. If either the recruiter or the school doesn't want to, then its time to move on. I talked extensively with both and CC every email I send so the other knows what's going on. So if you have any pressing issues just ask for the director to call/email you directly. If not, then there's something wrong.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

You'll probably never hear from the recruiter again once you get here, and the points you're quibbling over are pretty minor in what otherwise sounds like a pretty decent newbie job.

Full-sized ovens are rare outside of the newest and swankiest of apartments here, but if you really want to bake you can always buy a George Foreman convection roaster for about W100,000. It's big enough to roast a chicken in, and you can make bread and cake in it. Don't pass up an otherwise good job over this.