Korean Job Discussion Forums

[corinthian]

I applied to a recruitment company in September, saying that I wanted a position that would have me going to Korea in January - the earlier in January, the better. They told me to get my paperwork in order and wait for the January jobs to come in. I have yet to hear about a single job starting in January from them, but in the last few weeks they've sent me a bunch of jobs starting in March or April. I finally told them today i was absolutely ONLY interested in starting in January, and - while I don't have sources for this - I do feel like i've seen a lot of people say that a prime hiring season for Hagwons is January and February.

So basically, the recruiting company is telling me that they are going to have extreme difficulty in finding me a position that starts in January. I'm having trouble believing that hagwons basically don't hire ANYONE in January - after all, this company has had my information for months, and never mentioned it would be a problem before now. Are they lying to me, or is it really that difficult to get hired with a start date in January?

They also told me today that Hwaseong City is only 30 minutes from Seoul by bus. Now, I don't know how accurate this is, but google maps says it's over 1.5 hours from Hwaseong City to Seoul. Needless to say, I'm starting to have serious doubts about the honesty of this company.

Can anyone help me out here? I'm not sure if they're lying to me or if I'm just being paranoid. And if they ARE lying, I'd really appreciate advice on a good recruiter I could use. Thanks!

[ippy]

cast your net far and wide my friend! Why stick with one recruiting company. Its their fekking job to sell YOU in order to make THEM money. Sticking with one is shooting yourself in the foot and also failing to understand that you are the cheese and they are the cheese sellers. Without you, they aint in business.

(that being said my analogy reminds me that you really should be doing as much as you can to make yourself look as valuable as possible )

[corinthian]

I've applied to some others, but haven't heard much from them at all. I think I may need to hit up another half-dozen recruiters or something. but I don't know - I'm 24, no teaching experience (but a great resume), American, male, Caucasian, red-headed, looking for a job in the greater Seoul area. I'm not sure if one of those things is holding me back somehow, or if the recruiter is just full of crap.

[highdials5]

[corinthian]

[tzechuk]

[mj roach]

if you're looking for 'any' job (hakwan) with a jan. start

a) most ads read 'no teaching experience necessary'

b) resumes don't count for much and usually aren't read

a 'good' photo is more important

multiple-recruters is good advice

try one of the ads on the 'job board' headlined ASAP jobs

keep trying - something will come up

[oskinny1]

[VanIslander]

we sell red apples. there are no green apples.

[lifeinkorea]

[loyfriend]

Plenty of jobs my friend!!!!!

The best thing to do though is not always use a recruiter. Use some of the Korean websites that have job boards. Then apply to the schools yourself.

Two years ago theer were 20,000 ESl teachers now 40,000. I had a recruiter tell me they sent my resume out without even seeing it. The recruiters don't even read your resumes before they mas send them out.

They just get paid if your resume is choosen by the school. Thus, find the jobs yourself and get.

To bad your not coming in December. 5 job offers sitting in front of me and have to decide.

[ThingsComeAround]

So you have a half dozen recruiters?
Try a dozen.
If they don't reply to you, move on. They aren't worth giving free money to.
Your recruiter is lying. Look on Craigslist, there are jobs advertised for late Dec/Jan.

Problem is, your visa.

That could take upwards of 3 weeks to prepare. If this shoddy agency has your "documents" (CRC/diploma esp.) you are SOL

[corinthian]