Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BrianInSuwon]

After reading TheChickenLover's most recent postings it occured to me that there is a nice niche market just waiting for some savvy people to cash in on. There is a need for 'the local contact' which is sort of like a recruitor but is working for the employee rather than the employer.

A potential emloyee would hire the local contact for a fee of like $500. Once the potential employee finds a job that looks promising, the local contact would step in and visit the hagwon, meet the owner, meet the current foreign teachers, take photos of the apartment, and so on. The local contact could also be a friend for the first two weeks, introducing the employee to the nightlife (HongDae, Itaewon...), ordering food at a Korean restuarant, using the subway, buying a cellphone, ....

[cruisemonkey]

This is possibly the dumbest idea I've ever read on 'Dave's'.

Go ahead and try it! Start a business as a 'local contact' and see how long it takes until you have both: the employees demanding their money back; and insane Ks trying to tack you down because their foreigner pulled a midnight run.

[Rusty Shackleford]

[Jammer113]

So you're saying the Employee finds the job on their own. And then you go in and make sure it's ok as best as possible? It's theoretically marketable, but you'd have to give people a reason to trust you.

As a job seeker, I wouldn't touch anyone with a ten-foot pole who wanted to take my money to visit a place for me and be my friend afterwards. It has scam written all over it. I can call foreign teachers and ask for pictures of apartments and schools myself. If my schools lies out of its butt, well, then, I put in my notice really quickly and find my own job while in country.

Furthermore, how're you going to check out places in Busan when you're up living in Seoul? How're you going to help people in Jeolla-nam do with their paperwork?

It's all theoretically possible, but you'd have to be extremely well-respected in the community and have a squeaky clean record.

[i4NI]

[VanIslander]

[Draz]

[cruisemonkey]

I think among the literally thousands of potential problems would be getting rid of customers after two weeks of being their 'friend'.

[BrianInSuwon]

I agree with Jammer113 that trust would be a big issue/potential problem. People would be really reluctant to send their money to a stranger on faith alone. Regarding his other issue of "buying a friend", I don't see it that way. I see it more as hiring a tour guide.

Recruiters are paid by the school, therefore, they work for the school. They don't work for you.

After reading so many stories of teachers not receiving their pension (2,400,000 KRW) , teachers being fired in the 11th month, teachers that do a runner because they hate their school or their apartments smell so bad and are so small that they can't stay another day or ... -- it seems that there is a need for someone that can help them avoid these financial loses.

There are some foreigners that have been here long enough and know how to deal with the labor board and immigration. They can guide someone step by step through the legal system to get what they deserve without making a mistake (such as quiting, or starting a new job , or ..) that would forfeit their rights to the money that is owed them.

[cruisemonkey]

So... as the 'local contact' how would you deal with the inevitable fact that the customer is placed in a different apartment than the one you were shown, took pictures of and implicitly 'represented' to your customer?

[moosehead]

[BrianInSuwon]

First off, I'm not sure why cruisemonkey is still reading and replying to this thread, after all 'its the dumpest idea he has ever read on 'Dave's' ". Not really the greatest way to start a discussion if you wish to be a part of the conversation.


I don't understand why everyone is attacking my idea. I have no vested interest in defending it. I'm not trying to sell anyone on the idea. Its just a thought that popped into my head. For a thought to mature, it needs room and time to grow. Instead of merely pointing out the weaknesses wouldn't it be more interesting to provide some twists that would make it more feasible? Aren't there other questions to ask that would be more entertaining?

Some questions to ponder:
1. How much would a service be worth in your opinion? How much would you be willing to pay or how much would you charge?
2. How much faith can you have when exchanging cash for a service?
3. What methods can one use to project themselves in a cash for service exchange?
4. How much would you be willing to pay if someone could help you obtain a pension refund when you feel so overwhelmed that you are moments away from throwing your hands up and just jumping on a plane home?
5. How much is it worth to you to know that the apartment that you will be living and sleeping in for the next year is of a certain quality?
6. Is there a benefit of having someone walk you through the steps needed in :
-opening a bank account
-finding a high interest savings account
-obtaining the always elusive international debit card
-obtaining a cell phone
-figuring out how to use a Korean washing machine
-knowing how to control the heating in your apartment
-knowing what to pack/bring to Korea
-knowing where to go to get pillows and sheets
-knowing where the local foreigner bar is in your area
-how to contact the pension office to verify your balance before it becomes a problem.


I'm sure everyone on the board could come up with additional benefits (and potential problems) of such a service.

[dcwm81]

I think the idea in theory is a good one. How it could be applied is a little foggy from what I see. But, I do see an up side to more incoming foreign teachers getting shown the ropes of what they should be expecting, should be living in, how to deal with labor, pension, etc, etc. I think too many new teachers come to this country, don't know where to get help and just pull a runner, and the cycle continues.

[cruisemonkey]

Brian,

I apologize for my choice of words and did not mean to imply you were dumb; but rather the idea had not been carefully thought through. The potential pitfalls are almost astronomical in number (and inevitable given that this is K-land).