Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cherbear]

I'm looking for a good recruiter and a friend recommended using Footprints, but I've seen several posts here about how they often reject potential teachers. Does anyone have any personal experience with this? Did they give you a reason why? I'm just wondering if I should even bother if they're apparently so picky.
If Footprints is out, does anyone have another recommendation? I tried Park English but I rejected their first job offer and haven't heard from them since. It's been less than a week, but I'm wondering if I didn't annoy them and just would like to stack the deck with more options.

[esetters21]

Is the search function sucking again? Footprints has been discussed ad nauseam on this site.

[wallythewhale]

My experience with FR was nice, sweet, and simple. Others may have had negative experiences, but mine was exceptional. I guess they just really want to see what you're made of (or at least that's what I got out of mine). If you're actively involved in the things that they ask you, then I guess you have a pretty good chance at getting in. For example, one of my questions was:

"Are you currently involved in teaching?"

Simple enough right? I told my interviewer that I was currently leading a mentor program, working with middle and high school youth.

Something as simple as that could ignite the flame with the interviewer.

Nevertheless, you are you and I am me. In any case, intentionality and passion plays a key role in your interview. Good luck with FR or the other agencies.

[kentucker4]

Footprints is run by complete morons.

[egrog1717]

It all depends on who you have working with you in their office... Some of them (my recruiter for example) was fantastic... Answered all of my questions, returned all of my emails, even went so far as to call me long distance on more than one occation to update me about my application, job offer, etc etc...

My girlfriend, on the other hand, was shuffled around by three different people, none of whom listened to anything she had to say. When she was offered a job but asked for a few contract changes the guy told her "You're not in a position to be asking for any of those things and so I'm not going to contact the owner. Take the contract or leave it"... After that I told her to go find another recruiter and now she's happily in Japan, lol...

[nicam]

Footprints was wonderful and professional in my case up until the very last minute. They were honest and even sent out a follow up inquiry a month after I arrived in Korea. I didn't even know about the rejection thing at the time, and when I interviewed and just made sure to say the right things and be as professional and friendly as possible. I treated the whole think like a job interview, and wrote a nice cover letter with my app, etc.

Some other good recruiters (from what I hear) are Kim and Joe, RBI, and Work n' Play. Try to google "recruiters esl cafe" and the relevant Dave's posts will come up. This works better than the search function for me.

[Aelric]

Just make sure your resume looks professional and good, be sure to mention even the briefest experience with teaching or even just training or team management in your job skills and make sure your hobbies and interests shows something healthy and active.

The interview was a snap. They asked me some brief questions about past jobs, college and my interests. Make sure you mention any love for travel you might have, as that is part of what they are looking for (I imagine runners tarnish their rep a bit). Also, they will be impressed if you ask THEM some questions too. Finally, be sure that you state what you expect in your contract and what is acceptable if you are going to do work at a hogwon.

Just be friendly and well adjusted and you'll do fine.

[The Grumpy Senator]

[PRagic]

PAT ANSWER ALERT, ALERT! USE ANY AND ALL RECRUITERS. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT IN TERMS OF HOURS, PAY, AND LOCATION, AND STICK TO YOUR GUNS.

USE ALL RECRUITERS, PUT YOUR RESUME UP ON ESL EMPLOYMENT SITES, AND THEN SIFT THROUGH WHATEVER OFFERS COME YOUR WAY.

WHY LIMIT YOUR JOB HUNT?

[whiteshoes]

[lifeinkorea]

You mean you guys don't take the first offer the first recruiter gives you? I mean they start off in the email with, "We found a school you will want". I think it's great the recruiters already know what I want, they really care

[cruisemonkey]

Footprints rejected me.

I've been here almost four years now. Idiots!

[PRagic]

LOL...you got rejected...by a recruiter? What gives? This has got to be a good one!

[davai!]

I got rejected by Footprints. I think it could have been my own questions to them:

me: "Are you ethnically Korean?"
FP recruiter: "I don't think that's relevant."
me: "I think it's totally relevant. I would expect different answers from a western ex-teacher than a gyopo ex-teacher. Each would have had totally different experiences in Korea."
FPR: "I'm western."
me: "What kind of safeguards do you have to insure against non-payment of salary or reimbursement of flights, etc.?"
FPR: "That doesn't happen. We only recruit for reputable schools."
me: "Really.... you've never had a problem with this?"
FPR: "Yes, in fact in the two years I taught in Korea, I've never heard of such behavior."

Either incredibly naive, or covering for someone. However, I give them props for actually taking the time to email me a week later to tell me they weren't interested. Few would have done that.

[PRagic]

So they don't like it if a prospective teacher hint at an expectation of accountablity? No shock there.

Nobody should ever be so naive as to think that a recruiter will ever go to bat for you should you encounter a problem with an employer, especially if said recruiter as already been paid!