Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sheilabocchine]

Hello!!!

I've been interviewing non stop and have been offered a few jobs but after further research I'm not taking them.

BUT I've been talking with KorVia, Park English and ESL Elite.

I've read lots of good things about KorVia and Park English, but haven't found anything on ESL Elite (on these forums).

It seems all three agencies offer very similar packages.

Would I be okay accepting a job from any of those three agencies? I am going through a recruiter because I need to have the job before I get over there.

Thanks for your input!

Ciao,
Sheila

[Zaria32]

It isn't necessary to go through a recruiter at all, and you can easily get a job before you arrive in Korea (as a matter of fact, that's virtually a
necessity) without going through a recruiter.

For the most part (there are a few exceptions, but very few) recruiters are unreliable. You will believe you're going to one city, and when you arrive find that it's a different city. Instead of a one bedroom well-furnished apartment, you may be sharing a 2 bedroom with 3 other teachers. The "English speaking, kind, well-liked" director of the school may end up being a totally non-English speaking jack*ss.

Here are some rules to follow (there are others I'm no doubt forgetting)

1) Never accept a job unless you have talked to the director of the school on the phone. Can you understand him or her and does she or he understand you?
2) Never accept a job until you have received a signed copy of the contract and understand the contract.
3) Ask for photos of the school and of the accomodations.
4) If possible talk to a prior or current foreign teacher at the school. Ask them a) is anyone listening to your conversation and b) have you been
told that you won't get your severance pay or can't leave or anything along those lines unless you help get another teacher?
5) Never send your documents to a recruiter or to a school until you have completed 1-4 above.

[sheilabocchine]

thanks for those rules. I know it's not necessary, but I feel more comfortable having a job before I arrive.

Most of the people I've been talking with are already following rules 1-3. I'll make sure to ask to speak with a teacher at their school too.

I've already turned town 4 jobs because of research I found after I was offered the job, so I am doing as much research as possible.

[Hyeon Een]

The rules are:

(1)Find a job you like
(2) Take it.

That's it.

It doesn't matter whether you find your job through a recruiter or direct from a school. No one is more trustworthy than anyone else when you're dealing through the internet. Talk to people already working there. Nothing else matters. Don't worry about whether a 'recruiter' is trustworthy.

A good recruiter might be tricked into employing for a crappy school and a terrible recruiter might end up employing for a great school. You need to talk to a person working at the school at the time and find out WHAT IS UP. That is all. Ignore good/bad recruiters. They are a means to an end is all. If you're still job searching apply with EVERY recruiter you can find, and see what they offer. Looking for good or bad recruiters is a fools errand.

[berrieh]

From what I understand, it differs based on the type of school requested.

For Public Schools:
Pick a halfway decent recruiter and stick with them (PS school jobs only) in terms of those particular PS jobs. For instance, SMOE will disqualify you if they see your docs/resume from more than one recruiter.

For Private Schools:
Look at the jobs, not the recruiter. Most recruiters will either post what they have on a job board - like the one here - or on their webste (sometimes both). Look at the jobs. See one you like? Contact the recruiter. They may have other non-posted jobs they send to you. Look at them. Like it? Do more research. Some of the better/more honest recruiters will even admit that if you're looking for a Private School/Hagwon, you should not work exclusively with one recruiter.

Always:
Keep your docs until you have the offer you want and the contract. Send your docs only when accepting the job. If someone has your docs, they basically have you hostage.

[sheilabocchine]

Thank you everyone!

I'm feeling really good about my choice to move to Korea to teach English.

I honestly wish I could leave tomorrow, but must stay in Arizona until May.