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TBirdMG
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Location: SF, CA, USA
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 Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject: SMOE Still Hiring -- And Bad Recruiter |
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I got a call tonight from SMOE, who tried to interest me in a PS elementary/middle school position for April 1st. I told the SMOE interviewer that the recruiter, Korea Connections, had forward my name for a more lucrative teacher trainer position for candidates with an MA.
SMOE hemmed and hawed...told me that there are STILL some "great" public school jobs available. After repeatedly stating NO, discussion turned to the teacher trainer job. I was then asked how soon I could process my visa and be on a plane (I'm in the USA). I asked for the details of the job and the SMOE interviewer said, 'Oh, you will teach 22 hours to older elementary students...."
I then asked if the Korean teachers are 10-12 years old. SMOE didn't get the sarcasm. I politely declined the job and hung up.
SMOE and its recruiters: WTF?? Bait and switch is so sleazy. At this point, it's Japan or the Middle East. I've had it with Sparkling, unscrupulous Korea.... |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| ha ha ha...elementary being their level, older being their age....good catch. |
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Chicoloco
Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Location: In the ring.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah, even for a recruiter Korea Connections is pretty piss poor. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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..........deleted........
Last edited by Bibbitybop on Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I just love their presumption that any foreign teacher can and should be happy to do any teaching job. That combined with them refusing to give teachers letters of release should they find they've been given a crap job is a good reason to make SMOE a last resort. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| I just love their presumption that any foreign teacher can and should be happy to do any teaching job. That combined with them refusing to give teachers letters of release should they find they've been given a crap job is a good reason to make SMOE a last resort. |
I agree they should give letters of release for people who put in advanced notice of leaving. I also think whoever in SMOE that called the OP was either deceptive or confused. I'm willing to guess confused because a lot of people don't get straight answers to often easy questions from the SMOE office.
That aside, I can't say SMOE is a last resort. You deal with the same problems that happen in EPIK and GEPIK. If you want to live in Seoul, SMOE is a good choice. They honor the contract, something many hogwans don't do. You also get at least 21 working days of vacation. Only rural public schools or universities offer more. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| I agree they should give letters of release for people who put in advanced notice of leaving. |
I think Immigration needs to throw out their BS (and unconstitutional) "letter of release" requirement. The LOR is just vindictive. There is no valid reason for the thing. If the foreign teacher is staying in Korea and has legitimate financial obligations to the employer, the employer can avail himself of the courts.
It's a myth, pure and simple, that the LOR is for the protection of the employer against loss. It's all about control. |
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mastap
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| I just love their presumption that any foreign teacher can and should be happy to do any teaching job. That combined with them refusing to give teachers letters of release should they find they've been given a crap job is a good reason to make SMOE a last resort. |
I agree they should give letters of release for people who put in advanced notice of leaving. I also think whoever in SMOE that called the OP was either deceptive or confused. I'm willing to guess confused because a lot of people don't get straight answers to often easy questions from the SMOE office.
That aside, I can't say SMOE is a last resort. You deal with the same problems that happen in EPIK and GEPIK. If you want to live in Seoul, SMOE is a good choice. They honor the contract, something many hogwans don't do. You also get at least 21 working days of vacation. Only rural public schools or universities offer more. |
how strict are they on the letter of release thing?
is it an absolute no, regardless of the reason?
what if you were lied to about the ps job by the recruiter or smoe staff? |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:10 am Post subject: |
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| mastap wrote: |
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| I just love their presumption that any foreign teacher can and should be happy to do any teaching job. That combined with them refusing to give teachers letters of release should they find they've been given a crap job is a good reason to make SMOE a last resort. |
I agree they should give letters of release for people who put in advanced notice of leaving. I also think whoever in SMOE that called the OP was either deceptive or confused. I'm willing to guess confused because a lot of people don't get straight answers to often easy questions from the SMOE office.
That aside, I can't say SMOE is a last resort. You deal with the same problems that happen in EPIK and GEPIK. If you want to live in Seoul, SMOE is a good choice. They honor the contract, something many hogwans don't do. You also get at least 21 working days of vacation. Only rural public schools or universities offer more. |
how strict are they on the letter of release thing?
is it an absolute no, regardless of the reason?
what if you were lied to about the ps job by the recruiter or smoe staff? |
In any Korean business or organization, you should get everything in writing. If it's not there, ask for it. In schools and SMOE, many people have gotten screwed because they didn't get something in writing. Later, the person forgot or pretended to forget about the agreement. Or a staff member changed and had no knowledge of the verbal agreement. |
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