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maple
Joined: 31 May 2008
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 Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: SMOE and ThinkOutside...help! |
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Hello!!
I'm a recent MA graduate, and I just got a contract offer from ThinkOutside, but I don't know what they're like -- is anyone working or finding work from them? Also, the contracts are all from SMOE, and I'm not sure if they're legit (yes I'm paranoid, I've read tons of blogs and I'm paranoid I'll get screwed once I get there)...is anyone working for SMOE now?
Good? Bad? Ugly? Worse?
Thanks in advance!! |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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Many of us work for SMOE. Do a quick search and read all about it. Any specific questions?
What is ThinkOutside? A recruiter? A hogwan? |
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maple
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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I think it's just a recruiting company, at least from what I understand, and I think they've been hired to find teachers to fill positions for SMOE. I guess it's not a very popular one then!
I tried doing a search earlier, and it didn't quite work, but I will definitely try again later, thanks! |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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Go to the ETIS website:
http://etis.sen.go.kr/
There is a list of recruiters the SMOE goes through.
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Initial applications should be e-mailed to only one of the following recruiters to be designated by SMOE. ;
Footprints Recruiting Incorporated
�Contact Person: Ben Glickman, Director of Employer Relations
�Suite 408, 55 Water Street, Vancouver, BC V6B-1A1, Canada
�E-mail: [email protected]
�Phone: 604-677-6559
�Fax: 604-677-6557
�Website: http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com
Korea Connections
�Contact Person: Jay. M. Lee, Director of Employee Relations
�D-901 Tower Palace, Dogok-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea (135-534) )
�E-mail; [email protected]
�Phone; 82-11-716-0905, 82-2-2058-2888
�Fax: 82-2-2274-6911
�Website: http://www.koreaconnections.net
�North American Office: Cindy Bond, Director of Employee Relations
4928 43 Street, Innisfail, Alberta, Canada T4G 1M5
Phone: 1-403-227-4637
Cell ph:1-403-392-0944
E-mail: [email protected]
Woonjin Think Outside
�Contact Person: Lynn Kim, Senior Officer
�Address:535-1 Moonbae-ri Gyoha Eup, Paju-shi, Gyronggi-do 413-756 Korea
�E-mail: [email protected]
�Phone: 82-31-956-7372
�Fax: 82-31-956-7589
�Website : "http://thinkoutsiderecruiting.com"
WorknPlay Incorpotated
�Contact Person: Julie Lim, Recruiting Consultant
�Address:Namkyeong Sulleung Bldg Room 202, 704-50, Yeoksam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
�E-mail: [email protected]
�Phone: 82-2-568-7536, 82-10-8538-1596
�Fax: 82-2-568-7236
�Website: http://www.worknplay.co.kr
CDI America Eo Recruiting Division
�Contact Person: Brian Park , Director of Recruiting
�The Crysler Building , 405 Lexington Avenue, 26th St. New York,NY 10174, U.S.A.
�E-mail: [email protected]
�Phone: 212-907-6541
�Fax: 917-368-8005
�Website: http://www.eorecruiting.com
�Seoul Office: Sky Noh, Recruiting & Consulting Manager
4F Gwangjung B/D , Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone: 82-2-497-9407
Fax:82-2-497-9409
E-mail: [email protected]
Canadian Connection
�Contact Person: Shane Finnie, Director/Allison Justice,Coordinator
�192 Spadina Avenue, Suite #416, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2C2
�E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
�Phone: 1-416-203-2679
�Fax: 1-416-203-7968
�Website: http://www.canconx.com
TeachENG(DRCD Incorporated)
�Contact Person: Amy Hwang(Hyunjin Hwang), Recruiting Consultant
�208 Garden B/D, 14-13 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea(150-871)
�E-mail: [email protected]
�Phone: 82-2-2061-9505
�Fax: 82-2-6008-9502
�Website: http://www.teacheng.co.kr |
Since you stared with Think Outside, stick with them as you can apply to SMOE from only one recruiter. |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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They're fine. I got my SMOE job through them.
I think there are other larger recruiting companies, but I'm not sure how that would matter.
I did find them to be really inconsistent and mis-communicative, but that's par isn't it.
I was in your position a year ago, so yeah, Thinkoutside are fine.
SMOE is reputable. Remember, they're from the government, and they're here to help you. 
On Bibbitybipbip's list it's called Woonjin Thinkoutside or something like that. Two names. |
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maingman
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea
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maple
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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prideofidaho, why is it a sad smiley after the "government will help you" comment!? that makes me a little apprehensive...
Also, with thinkoutside, did they help you get settled when you first arrived to Korea? I've heard horror stories of CDI being like "good you're here, take a bus." and then "we found you a place, here's a bed in a box." Were they helpful? Or was it very "your on your own but make sure you show up for work?" |
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icicle
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Gyeonggi do Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| maple wrote: |
prideofidaho, why is it a sad smiley after the "government will help you" comment!? that makes me a little apprehensive...
Also, with thinkoutside, did they help you get settled when you first arrived to Korea? I've heard horror stories of CDI being like "good you're here, take a bus." and then "we found you a place, here's a bed in a box." Were they helpful? Or was it very "your on your own but make sure you show up for work?" |
The recruiters role in the whole process is just to find employees for the employer ... Everything once you arrive in the country is really nothing to do with the recruiter ... It is your new employers responsibility ... And the "horror" stories are often not from people working for the public schools ... Even if only because they have guidelines which they should follow as part of your orientation process to Korea ... Most employers are going to be helpful to you in settling in ... Even if only because of self interest (to themselves) because you being happy and settled is going to have an impact on how well you work for them ...
There is a wide range in the accommodation provided ... Across the country ... and even the city ... If it is essential to you that your accommodation is a particular size or includes specific things ... Then take the option often included of taking the housing allowance ... and be prepared to pay the extra money (possibly including key money) it takes to get what is essential to you ... But in most cases the accommodation is OK ... It will probably not be "big" ... But despite some of the horror stories in most cases it really is OK ...
Icicle |
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TBirdMG
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Location: SF, CA, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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ThinkOutside can't even ThinkInsideAPaperBag...
I contacted them several months ago about teaching in Korea. They were incredibly vague, less than helpful, failed to follow through when arranging phone interviews, and eventually became rude when I stuck to my reasonable guns regarding salary and terms.
As far as recruiters go, you can do much better....but you should still have low expectations. Recruiters, because they are paid by schools/institutions, rarely look out for the teacher's best interests. Be careful. |
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maingman
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: recruiters |
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...
Last edited by maingman on Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| As far as recruiters go, you can do much better....but you should still have low expectations. Recruiters, because they are paid by schools/institutions, rarely look out for the teacher's best interests. Be careful. |
A business looking out for their own interests. Weird how that one works, isn't it? It would be wise to be as pragmatic as possible.
| Quote: |
| prideofidaho, why is it a sad smiley after the "government will help you" comment!? that makes me a little apprehensive... |
Ha...but they are there to help you. From my experience this is how it works with SMOE and recruiters:
1- Apply to a recruiter.
2- Recruiter sends your CV to SMOE.
3- SMOE expresses interest (or not).
4- Recruiter asks if you'd like to have a phone interview with SMOE.
5- Phone interview occurs.
6- Job offer or no job offer.
7- (if you take the job) Recruiter facilitates visa application insofar as they tell you what you need to send.
8- Recruiter pretends to answer questions / acts interested until you arrive in Korea or the orientation week.
9- SMOE holds you for a week at a training compound. You're asked not to wander down the hill and disturb the locals, but it's funnier if you do.
10- After said week, SMOE places you at a school.
11- When you arrive in Seoul you will be dropped off somewhere with all the other teachers in your district, it is the school's responsibility to pick you up and either bring you to school to meet the principal, or take you to your new home.
12- At this point it's just you and the school.
| Quote: |
| Also, with thinkoutside, did they help you get settled when you first arrived to Korea? I've heard horror stories of CDI being like "good you're here, take a bus." and then "we found you a place, here's a bed in a box." Were they helpful? Or was it very "your on your own but make sure you show up for work?" |
In terms of arrival to Korea:
Well, it's not really their job to pick you up. SMOE arranges that. You may find yourself on a flight with other new recruits, so there'll be someone waiting to pick you up and take you to the compound.
In terms of housing:
This is the school's responsibility. They should get you settled. They may not. I had a bed, and apartment, and not much else (no cups, plates, etc). Other people I know had a bed but no sheets. It depends.
I hope this helps. |
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Lostone7
Joined: 08 Jun 2006
Location: SE Asia
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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They tried to bait and switch me........
said smoe job .....but after they thougt they "HAD" me they say oh
it is an after school type give us a bk number etc.
wouldn't use them IMHO |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
They tried to bait and switch me........
said smoe job .....but after they thougt they "HAD" me they say oh
it is an after school type give us a bk number etc.
wouldn't use them IMHO |
I was of two minds about posting this buuuuut.
I got my SMOE job extremely late in the game...by late July of 2007 I had signed a contract set to begin on August 24th. I was told the job was great, loads of vacation, but that Korean public schools have large classes, and that I would be teaching kids of all levels...blah blah...stuff I already knew.
The point is they placed me in an after school immersion program. I work 8 hours a day, but I teach art in English after school hours. It has turned out to be an alright gig, but it's not at all what they sold me, and the first six months were challenging.
I'm not so sure if this is a Thinkoutside problem, or if other schools would have pulled the same crap. It's a pretty unique situation, so just make sure that you're not being sent to a freaky school.
If you get the job through SMOE, you won't know till you get to the training session whether or not you're Elementary, Middle School, etc., but you'd be wise to push for a promise, in writing, that you're not being sent somewhere other than a regular elementary or middle school. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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^^ That's so weird! You were placed in an immersion afterschool program.
Anyhoo, recruiters are just an introduction to a school or program...that's all I expect from them. If things go south, it becomes my responsibility and I do whatever I can to resolve it with the school.
Having said that, I must say Thinkoutside is not very professional. Awhile back, I applied with them and specified what I wanted and I was NOT demanding at all. (ps job in Gyeonggi). I have 1 year ps expereince already in Gyeonggi do but I dont like my school. Think's representative contacted me for an initial phone interview and blah blah. Instead of giving me updates on job offers, said representative sends me WEIRD emails. (1 email-what's up today? another-do you have plans on go home? another-the weather is cold lately).
I didn't know if I was working with an agency or giving free English lessons. |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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Here are some gems. Miscommunication about the airfare almost made my brain explode.
"Hi ,
Pliz book the flight. SMOE told me they do prefer teachers to prepaid their ticket first.
So, pliz book the ticket to ICN airport, Seoul Korea
And once you get flight schedule, pliz let me know schedule+airfare."
ok...so I did that and then I got this.
"Hi ,
Did you buy this ticket already?
You should buy the ticket after my confirmation..
and I talked to SMOE..and if you arrive on 23rd, you should pay your own fee
to stay overnight.
Is this okay ?
Otherwise, they really want teachers to wait until tickets come up for
august 24th.
Pliz let me know if you already purchased this flight..
and how much is total airfare?
Pliz let me know."
oopsy daisy...so I replied:
"Hello,
A few days ago you asked me to book the flight, stating that SMOE
prefers people to have the flight prepaid. I purchased the ticket
because that is what you apprently told me to do. The flight is
$1,321.20. It is a direct flight on Korean Air. I will book my own
hotel room, but please realize that, as I mentioned in my emails,
there are no flights that leave Canada and arrive in Korea on August
24th, at least not direct Korean Air flights."
And I got this back:
"Hi ,
I see. I did mean booking, not paying the flight.
Anyway, it's just fine. _______ and I understand thee days, it's really
hard to find a seat.
Then, we'll look around the hotel near the incheon airport. and we can book
it for you.
I'll keep u updated about hotel information very shortly."
Long story, it took weeks of correspondence to figure out the most basic of inquiries.[/quote] |
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