Korean Job Discussion Forums

widespread123 · Joined: 12 Jun 2007

I am writing this in kind of a shock. I just received a notification from Footprints that I was rejected as a candidate. At the same time my friend was accepted to Footprints. Here are our qualifications:

My friend:
-Just graduated from university
-Bachelors Degree
-Has no ESL experience, has never been to Korea

Myself:
-Fulfilled a one-year contract in Daegu from Jan 2007-Feb. 2008
-CELTA certified with a Pass "B" grade
-Taught six months in Vietnam
-Volunteered teaching ESL in Nepal for a month
-Currently working in the United States at an international school teaching none other than ESL.
-No criminal record or health issues

I felt that I was respectful and honest in my interview. I did mention teaching privates but did not specify which countries (Vietnam and the US allow private lessons). I also mentioned that I did not enjoy teaching Korean high school students as they lack the motivation younger students do (in my past Korean experience).

Maybe I am missing something that was a red flag for Footprints or did something they didn't like but I honestly feel it went alright. Not my best interview but good enough. They have a policy not to discuss details of your interview, which I feel is cowardly. If you get rejected, Footprints should have the decency to tell you why.

I have recommended Footprints to two of my friends who were both newbies and got accepted. With my experience, I was rejected.

Upset and confused,
-Sean

valkerie · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Location: Busan

I would hazard a guess that they felt you to be over qualified as perhaps the work they have right now is gonna be less acceptable to someone with experience and a proven commitment to teaching.

Still, it sux. Sorry.

P.S. There are many agencies who would love to have you on the books so keep looking.

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

The problem with Footprints is, and has always been, that what usually matters over anything else is who is handling your file at their offices...

When I went through them last June my handler was fantastic... Called me anytime something came up, responded to emails in less than 12 hours, was super professional but also acted like he really cared about getting me hooked up...

Flash forward to November when my girlfriend attempted to deal with them, and it was the exact opposite... She was passed around to three different handlers, each of which seemed to get progressively dumber and dumber... To the point where the third agent told her she had none of her paperwork (wasn't passed on correctly from numbers 1 and 2) and would have to redo the Footprints interview as a result... It was at this point she told them to bugger off and went with another company...

Sadly, it's really really the luck of the draw... Sorry to hear you had a bad experience as they can be a great company to work with (some of the time)... Lots and lots of recruiters out there though, don't let one bad experience get you down (if Korea is where you're set on heading)

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Are you over 40? Many teachers were rejected this year, because of the new Epik age limit policy, & global economic crisis.

Try ESL Planet instead. I was rejected by Footprints, too. One of the interview questions was, "How would you deal with culture shock?", to which there are a dozen responses, that they were specifically looking for:

(Take up a hobby, keep in touch with your family by email/cellphone, learn the Korean language, make Korean friends, etc) Google 'culture shock' for the full list.

Never mind, that I have spent 3 years, living, teaching & travelling around Asia!

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Recruiters are probably assigned areas to fill up so they don't step over another recruiter. They can also be monitored this way as to how successful they are in recruiting teachers who stay with a school the whole year.

Maybe you simply interviewed with someone who didn't have an opening for you. The other recruiter may have had to fill up more slots. Perhaps you can re-apply through another recruiter.

Footprints specifically told me they wouldn't hire me when I was back in the US, then a year later another recruiter contacted me to schedule an interview. While emailing I found a school and have yet to really interview with them. Maybe I will do it in 2 weeks if an interview I have lined up next week doesn't work out.

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

You don't sound overqualified to me. I've gone through Footprints a couple of times. Both times were speedy. I am guessing that the interviewer took some of your comments in a more negative way. You say you didn't enjoy teaching high school students? So you made it clear that you'd rather teach younger kids? Depends how this was said and interpreted. The privates? That might have gone down the wrong way too as there could have been a misunderstanding. If you want to teach elementary age kids, there is usually a greater demand, so I doubt it was about a lack of available jobs. I wouldn't mention anything about teaching privates in the future. Other than that, no idea.

widespread123 · Joined: 12 Jun 2007

yes, the interview was awkward. There was a delay in the phone (BC is not that far from Colorado) and the interviewer kept saying "that works" after every answer which sounded contrived. Maybe I didn't give the best interview but was polite, patient and honest.

Privates are fine in other countries and I mentioned that I had a great experience working with students on getting into Universities. This was in Vietnam and the US. You should be able to mention privates from other experiences in other countries. She did not tell me I had to just speak about Korea.

Also, she mentioned openings (I want to be in Busan, anywhere in Busan) and if I was overqualified, which I'm not, why make me feel hurt and rejected???

Any good schools in Busan I should look at? haha. no seriously.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject:

You're in good (I'm sure some will disagree) company... four years ago I was rejected by Footprints. Within 24 hrs. I had a public contract through another recruiter. I've been here ever since.

I look at it this way -
Footprints actually did me favour... and lost W1,000,000. Cool

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

You said HS students aren't motivated so why the disappointment?

sigmundsmith · Joined: 22 Nov 2007

I will be frankly honest here. I worked in HR and recruitment for a number of years.

And if I was interviewing you I would have rejected you as well.

First, you talked about doing privates. Yes, you stated here (eslcafe) that it wasn't in Korea but at the interview you said you didn't specify a country. As it is illegal here (don't want to get into what is right and wrong about that topic) Footprints would feel that you would most likely do something illegal, thus giving MOE a candidate not suitable.

Next, you mentioned about students not being motivated. At the interview did you say how you will try to motivate the students or did you just say that you don't like teaching Korean HS students because they are not motivated?

Again, having this response is seen as negative. Footprints, understandably, would not continue with your application - I know I wouldn't.

1. You do privates and admit to it (in another country I know but that is a Flag straight away that you admit to it)

2. You talk about not liking teaching a certain group of Korean students.

Sorry, but giving such responses at an interview (for any job) would mean that you would be rejected.

At interviews, you don't talk about what you don't like doing but what you like doing. You talk about your preferances of who you want to teach but don't say who you don't want to teach.

You shouldn't admit to do something that is legal in another country but is illegal in the country you are applying for a job. For example, I lived in Amsterdam and partaked in certain activities. Those activities are legal there in that country but illegal in the country I am applying for a job. Do I admit that yes, I did do that at an interview. Of course not. Why incriminate yourself.

Maybe try a different recruiter.

Good luck

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject:

SandyG21 · Joined: 26 Oct 2008

Perhaps it was the agent at FR - ask your friend if it was the same one.

The guy that interviewed me through them was very unprofessional - failed to call on time - I had to call - didn't have my info in front of him - said I needed to sign a contract for life with them only - blah blah yada yada.

Also your friend can probably get paid less - due to less experience - and might be younger and more willing (so FR hopes) to accept less from an employer than you.

Maybe the agent was intimidated that you had more education and experience than they did!

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Lesson learned is never be honest or say anything in the slightest bit negative about yourself.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

louiloui · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

recruiters like Footprints are not interested in teachers with experience or specific jobs in mind. They want to find inexperienced people and put them into crappy hagwon jobs. Everyone I know who went through footprints landed at CDI, and everyone of them was miserable and hated their recruiter for misleading them about the job. So, best to move on and find a better recruiter who wants to find you the job you want.