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Collider
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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 Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject: New to this, and very confused |
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Hi everyone. Please excuse the long post.
I'm graduating from my University in about a week, and I have been working closely with a recruiting company called "EA and Partners". I have been planning to move to Korea and become an English teacher for months now, and all of my chips are in that pot. I've let my apartment lease lapse, started investing into material to teach myself korean, set up a new bank account, etc. However, when I came to these boards while doing research I started to get very worried about the information my recruiter was giving me.
Let me say here that the recruiter I'm working with has been nothing but cordial and helpful so far, if a bit vague. I haven't had any issues with him yet.
With that said, I have found some references that this company is not the best when it comes to being recruited, so I've sent applications to Footprints, KimandJoe's, and Korea Connections. (I'm actually waiting for Korea Connections to call for a phone interview right now, they are 40 minutes late.)
Understandably I am doubting the effectiveness of these recruiters. I want to be in Korea, working, happy, and safe, by the end of June, and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do that by going through these middle men.
A lot of advice on this board has seemed to suggest avoiding a recruiter entirely. However, I believe with my nearly zero knowledge of the Korean language this will prove to be incredibly difficult.
I guess what I'm getting at is that I need some advice. I have been excited and anxious to get there and get working for so long, that the kinks popping up in the process have got me really worried.
Can one of you seasoned veterans help me take the next step? I'm willing to listen to just about any suggestions, like I said I just want to get there and get working.
Here's some information about me:
- 22 Years Old
- Native English Speaker from Pittsburgh, PA
- Accomplished French Speaker
- Graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Pittsburgh on April 29th, receiving actual printed diploma by June 10th
- Single, with a valid passport
After thinking my job was secure and in the bank, I'm quite shaken after this missed phone interview and vague email exchanges with my recruiter. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and if I can get to Korea I'll try to stop by and bring you a Penguins jersey. =)
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read that. |
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Bigs
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I would hold off on applying for anything until you have your diploma, as no doubt a recruiter would want to see a scanned copy of it, and you need your original diploma for the visa process (a letter of graduation is insufficient to obtain an E-2 visa) |
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Collider
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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I understand that. The physical diploma comes June 10th, and I wouldn't want to start applying then because I have to be out of here by mid-August.
Thanks though. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| After thinking my job was secure and in the bank, I'm quite shaken after this missed phone interview and vague email exchanges with my recruiter |
Make sure the recruiter works FOR YOU, and gives you job offers YOU WANT. Some will try to cram you into lousy jobs where things will go VERY badly. No matter how "nice and cordial" they may treat you, if they give you lousy job choices, then go with a different recruiter. |
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Novernae
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Collider wrote: |
I understand that. The physical diploma comes June 10th, and I wouldn't want to start applying then because I have to be out of here by mid-August.
Thanks though. |
First of all, you could easily start applying in June and be out of there by mid-August. Two months is an eternity in the Korean hiring game. Unfortunately, April is generally too early to apply for jobs not starting until June. Hold you ground and don't let any recruiter or school tell you you can come over without your diploma. You might luck out an find a place that has had the wherewithal to have started the job search early, which could mean it is a good school.
The best advice I can offer is to relax. There are hundreds of jobs to pick from on any one day. You could be on a plane next week if you wanted (though without your diploma that wouldn't be wise). Don't let anyone rush you or push you to take a job you aren't fully comfortable with; You can just move on to the next one on the list. Don't let a missed call or strange e-mail correspondence shake you.
Think of a recruiter as a used-car salesman. You have to do your own research, know what cars are lemons, and be very careful before you sign the dotted line. A recruiter telling you it's ok to work without a visa (ie without a diploma) is a sure sign of a lemon. Make sure you talk to the foreign workers at the school you are looking at, not only the one you might be replacing (like a test drive). I wouldn't avoid recruiters. In fact, both of my jobs were found through a recruiter (Stephen Cho at eduorange), but like a used-car salesman he may try to sell you the lemons first. |
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happygirl
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Novernae wrote: |
| Collider wrote: |
I understand that. The physical diploma comes June 10th, and I wouldn't want to start applying then because I have to be out of here by mid-August.
Thanks though. |
First of all, you could easily start applying in June and be out of there by mid-August. Two months is an eternity in the Korean hiring game. Unfortunately, April is generally too early to apply for jobs not starting until June. Hold you ground and don't let any recruiter or school tell you you can come over without your diploma. You might luck out an find a place that has had the wherewithal to have started the job search early, which could mean it is a good school.
The best advice I can offer is to relax. There are hundreds of jobs to pick from on any one day. You could be on a plane next week if you wanted (though without your diploma that wouldn't be wise). Don't let anyone rush you or push you to take a job you aren't fully comfortable with; You can just move on to the next one on the list. Don't let a missed call or strange e-mail correspondence shake you.
Think of a recruiter as a used-car salesman. You have to do your own research, know what cars are lemons, and be very careful before you sign the dotted line. A recruiter telling you it's ok to work without a visa (ie without a diploma) is a sure sign of a lemon. Make sure you talk to the foreign workers at the school you are looking at, not only the one you might be replacing (like a test drive). I wouldn't avoid recruiters. In fact, both of my jobs were found through a recruiter (Stephen Cho at eduorange), but like a used-car salesman he may try to sell you the lemons first. |
Excellent advice from Novernae.
OP, sounds like you are on the right track. You are taking actions to do your best to get started on the right foot. Coming to korea is an amazing adventure. Congratulations on stepping out of the box!
Stick to what you want, be patient and keep focused. It will come. |
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hubba bubba
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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True. Wait a few months. Don't stress, you'll be fine. You biggest problem is deciding which job to take. I'd go with a school that has a lot of foreign teachers. For a new guy, establishing a social network is really imporatamt.
Also true about recruiters. I'll go to the mat for kimnjoes tho. They are the exception when it comes to recruiters. They have hooked up a ton of people in Busan. Like even helping people move on Saturdays type help. Pretty much everyone I know has used them, and almost no complaints. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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I guess being single will greatly increase your chances of being hired...  |
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willneverteachagain
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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i know u are new, but the recruiters being nice and cordial...
that's becasue they havent been paid by the school yet for u to teach there
once they are paid, even if u have a problem they said they'll help u with, they wont.
u are worrying way to much actually. Get into a larger school with at least 4 foreign teachers and DO NOT SIGN WITH A NEW SCHOOL EVER |
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willneverteachagain
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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the missed phone interview:
they probably messed up the time, the day, the year
most recruiters arent very bright.
mine lost my "original" degree and i was pissed off
and my director complained about the cost to replace it
i almost walked out the door that day |
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gsxr750r
Joined: 29 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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| You should also contact Ann or Joyce at www.korvia.com |
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Collider
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Everyone:
Thanks for all of the good device. I've relaxed quite a bit just from reading it, and the phone interview eventually happened as I was walking into a loud bar with my date. I stood out in the rain and did it with him, and he was impressed.
If I've gathered one main point from what all of you have said, it's that I should get them to get me what I want and not vice versa. I'll make sure to be forceful and specific when dealing with them.
These boards are a lifesaver. I can't believe it took me three weeks to find them. |
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willneverteachagain
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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| make sure u know what it is u want before u ask for it |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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don't know why all the worry and fuss...it's not as though you're applying for a real job, is it?  |
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Saxiif
Joined: 15 May 2003
Location: Seongnam
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:47 am Post subject: |
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| so I've sent applications to Footprints, KimandJoe's, and Korea Connect |
Smart move, work with as many recruiters as possible, that'll give you more options. But never forget that recruiters are paid by the school, not by you so they'll never stick their neck out for you.
Also Koreans tend to do everything at the last minute, you're very early if you're looking at jobs that start in August. You should be able to find a decent job no problem, just post info about it here and the contract before signing anything... |
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