Korean Job Discussion Forums

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

I'm pulling my hair out.

I have been working with a recruiter and I definitely have mixed feelings about it. I didn't want to take the first job offered and that job was in some ways better than several of the subsequent jobs that she has asked me to consider. It was certainly the longest and probably the most comprehensive contract. All of the other contracts have been seriously bad jokes...Then, she didn't contact me for a few days. I didn't contact her either. Instead, I tried applying directly to some schools.

I've had two phone interviews with one of the schools and during the second interview, I'm pretty sure that the director was trying to lowball me on salary. Not only that, but she said housing was going to cost me fifty dollars a month. It's also in something called an officetel. She said that all of the other teachers live there because it is close to the school and that I could live somewhere else but that it was further away and that I would spend that fifty dollars on transportation to and from school every day anyway. I don't know if I want to live in something called an "officetel"

While I was on the phone with this director...the recruiter beeped in. I didn't pick up because you don't do that during an interview, so she sent me an e-mail asking me to consider a similar job with better pay. The contract is full of holes, but I expect that now and I feel more confident about making changes before I send it back to her.

Maybe I won't have to live in an "officetel?"

any advice?

Netz · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

An officetel is basically a studio apartment, and the $50 a month he's asking you to pay is probably a "maintenance fee" that most property owners/management require now (to pay the security guard/groundskeeper) in newer buildings.

I don't think he's trying to pull one over on you with the $50 a month (he doesn't want to pay to have your stairwell/elevator cleaned monthly basically), in fact, it's probably nicer than many of the "ghetto pads" that some teachers have to live in.

Ask for a photo of the housing if possible, and hope it's actually the place you'll be living in lol.

You could always ask him to use some of the recruiter fee he's saving to pay it, but I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OP, if you have a genuine degree you can get a public school job directly without dealing with any recruiters.

http://gepik.ken.go.kr/contents/m_online_application_eng/main_regist.asp

bettyspaghetti · Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul (Mokdong)

Yes, I *wish* I had a officetel. The ones I have been in are quite nice albeit small. Where I live is small and more traditional but in no way as nice as a officetel and much older.

bizrandom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

I did both, and the solo route got me the job I wanted, recruiters are a pain. I only met one I really liked!

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

I won't be working for a public school, not because my degree is fake, but because I don't know how to print the money for a plane ticket.

Time Bandit216 · Joined: 11 Jun 2008

It is my understanding that the public school you will be working for will have your flights (arrival/departure) paid for. That is, in theory - if you decide to work for a public school.

What area do you want to work in? I know a great recruiter in Ulsan. His name is Jake Kim and the guy is a straight-shooter. In all honesty, he's a great guy and a very good business man.

If you want his contact information, let me know. He is hooking me up with a nice public school job in Ulsan. I should warn that he EXCLUSIVELY works for the Ulsan school district. If you have questions, he'll have answers.

Time Bandit216

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

Gangwon-do is still hiring and they accept direct applications. Although most public school jobs don't pay airfare up front, if they like you (and they really need the jobs filled) sometimes you can negotiate to have it paid.

Also, some public school recruiters will front you the airfare if you don't have it, but that usually depends on them having no one else to fill the position and not having a hogwon gig they want to push on you. That said, you could also contact PS recruiters and give them your situation up front.

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

Well, I seem to have a job now. I went through the contract with a fine tooth comb and basically re-wrote it and I'm getting 2.4. It could still suck but I can do anything for a year. Also when I considered that the difference in pay was nearly $200 U.S. and looked at my last Starbucks check, I couldn't help but take the larger offer. If all goes well, they want me there around the 20th.

tonyvu · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject:

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

It's a hagwan in Yonsan.

jhines86 · Joined: 26 Dec 2007 Location: West Plains, Missouri

Just for information sakes, I have been out of Korea for a year now and the experience was wonderful! Myself and my wife taught in a hakwon (academy) for a year.

We decided to work with Jake Kim and start a recruiting firm, since I live in the Midwest and near a college, it seemed like a great idea.

As far as Jake goes, he is one of the best folks I know in Korea! We became great friends and spent a lot of time together travelling and just talking about life and the universe. He went way out of the way when we got there and continued the entire time we were there. He is a part of my family here and we are a part of his there. I recommend him wholeheartedly as a recruiter, you won't be sorry for your choice.