Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

They're a recruiter based in Changwon ran by a man from Great Britain. He seems to be doing his job proficiently as a recruiter, but rushing me to get over to Korea ASAP for an EPIK public school position. He wants me to arrive at 5AM this Friday morning and go directly to a one day orientation at the POE to meet my new co-teacher and get a medical done at my cost. I simply am not ready as I need a few more days and nothing was set in stone yet other than receiving the visa today. He is so set on me being in Seoul at 5AM this Friday in an email tonight before having spoken with me and willing to help me find my flight to purchase. I can't call him since I don't have his out of Korea phone number as he's traveling right now though he said he tried to call me, but I was at the hospital for 10 hours today due to taking my brother to a long and drawn out appointment that led to his admission for surgury on Monday.

My brother is estimated to get out next Tuesday or Wednesday and I need to get my car sold. Should I tell my recruiter to slow down as I need a week longer to prepare and help my brother who has a broken leg with bacterial infection that I am looking after and driving for to and from his appointments?

That visa says I have until 9/10/2008 to enter Korea and I am sure EPIK can wait until the following week such as June 26th. I applied one month ago and assumed I was going in the latter part of June such as sometime after the 20th, but having lots of last minute issues come up that require more of my time and effort in Missouri to get in order.

How bad would this be for me to delay my arrival despite having not agreed upon a date, but rather demanded a last minute flight hasty arrival now that they know I have the visa? Can this cause me serious problems or should I just explain that I need a few days more to prepare for a 16 month long international trip and do what I know is right? To take about 5 days longer until about the 24th to depart the states.

Thank you for your inputs experienced teachers. Have a good weekend.

[TBirdMG]

Any recruiter who rushes you to attend a POE orientation is worth his weight in charcoal. Take care of family, friends, financial, and other issues before you leave home. If you are really EPIK, then there should be no reason to start before fall. Make sure that the recruiter has set you up with an EPIK position, and not some other PS or hagwon job.

Regardless, tell him that you are finalizing all the things you need to address before you can come to Korea, and that you are doing it in a prompt and fashionable manner. If the recruiter has any objection to this, dump him and start over.

Any recruiter that pressures you from abraod will be three times as worse in country.

You have a contract and a visa with specific start dates., right? Make the recruiter and the school honor them.

[sojourner1]

My EPIK contract is dated June 1st, but that was impossible as I didn't have my visa until today, June 13th, and it is indeed for EPIK. Yes, I will politely and professionaly explain and see what his response is. I'm betting he is chomping at the bit to get that commission next Friday after having spent his money traveling the world recently, but of course, that's not my problem nor concerns.

I am looking to postpone my arrival by 5 to 7 days of my recruiters' expectations.

He also changed my town to Jeongsan instead of Taebaek which I can't find any reference to Jeongsan. Confused by last minute changes and being hurried to enter a very serious matter for a very serious amount of time. I have to do what I have to do and that is be finished at home upon arrival and this can and will be done by June 24th.

[schwa]

[icicle]

Trying to get people to come as quickly as the visa is approved ... is par for the course ... But do not feel pressured ... Simply state the earliest possible date that you are prepared to leave ... That there is no way that you can leave before that date ... and you will find that even if the recruiter does keep up the pressure a little bit ... That when he realises that you really mean it ... He will arrange it for when you are able to leave ...

He is unlikely to do anything that will make you back out at this stage ... The school is paying him to get you there ... that is all ... A delay of a week or two until you are able to leave is not going to have a significant dfference on your time in Korea .... And feeling better prepared as a week or so will allow you to be will help you to feel better when you arrive in Korea .... It really is something to look forward to ... rather than feel pressured by ... A positive outlook when you arrive will really help you ... For all the horror stories you might read here it really isn't a bad place to work ... and will be an unforgettable experience ...

It really sounds like delaying your departure to when you have said ... will make a big difference to you ... so do not be afraid to stick to what yo know that you need ...

Icicle