Korean Job Discussion Forums

Fat-Elvis · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Location: Boston

I'm applying around and so far I've heard from nobody but recruiters. It seems like it's impossible to find a job without a recruiter. Now, I read somewhere that recruiters often take 35-40% of your paycheck. Is this true? And if so is that included in the salaries they advertise or not? I really don't see how doing a half hour of work justifies taking over a third of someone's full-time earnings for a year. Especially when it seems the whole system is set up to require going through recruiters.

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

It does seem that there are a lot more recruiters and ads from them each year.

Recruiters get paid by the school. They don't take your paycheck. There have been many threads on how much they get paid. It averages 1,000,000 per teacher.

If you think that recruiters spend only 30 minutes filling a position, you are definitely misinformed. They interview a lot of people before finding someone to fill positions.

I don't use recruiters, but I do respect how much they have to work to fill a position. So many new teachers ask so many questions, have so many requirements and then pull out and use some other recruiter at the last minute.

expat2001 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

Using recruiters- is it a must?

Many of us would say: It's a MUST NOT!

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

expat, apparently you have a reading problem. How could you accuse me of being a recruiter? I even stated that I don't use them. I have been teaching here off and on for 10 years. Overall I have worked for 6 schools and completed 4 contracts.

I just understand the game. I have been a manager of several schools and have interviewed hundreds of teachers.

Many people apply to ads by recruiters, then get interviewed, sometimes recruiters respond to many emails and loads of questions from newbies, who just sign with someone else.

I respect their effort, doesn't mean that I like their profession. They are similar to used car dealers.

SFValley · Joined: 18 Jun 2009

nfld_chingu · Joined: 29 Jun 2009

SFValley · Joined: 18 Jun 2009

DGibson · Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Yeah, definately. How? I'd love to know where to look or what to look for!

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

Morning_Star · Joined: 21 Jan 2009

It certainly is alot easier. And I agree that a recruiter's job is not easy.

nfld_chingu · Joined: 29 Jun 2009

romano812 · Joined: 09 Dec 2008

It's a tough call. Some schools such as YBM have there own recruiting department, so chances are an outsourced recruiter probably won't be able to offer you jobs with companies like that.
I've worked for a few different schools here, some with recruiters, some without. I have also had a horrible experience with a recruiting agency. I won't mention names because I don't think it's right to bash an entire company because of one incident with one employee.
I will send out a big prop for Jason and his crew over at ASK Now. I worked with them my first time out here and the support and advice was first rate. If you let them know what you are looking for they will tell you straight up if they can find it for you. Many recruiters will lie or deceive you just to get you in the country and then they hope you don't bail. Jason and the staff over at ASK Now have worked in Korea, they know Korea, they are actively involved in beach festivals, parties, and other outtings for foreign teachers, and as far as I know are well respected in the community.

sjbcanada · Joined: 01 Oct 2006

All the jobs I've gotten through recruiters were not the best (actually they were horrible) whereas the jobs I got on my own were great. I think you should try to avoid recruiters whenever possible. Ask other teachers for recommendations.