Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KarenWest1984]

Will's ego is simply too big to allow this thread to be forgotten - I mean really - an agent asking the teachers how to do his job better!

Isn't footprints suppose to be the biggest recruitment company? Wouldn't it mean that they are supposed to know what they are doing?

[Robbo]

Will, I for one laud your effort. I see some very sound advice and I hope you get what you need. Ignore the bitter complainers.

[Robbo]

Oh yeah, I forgot something. A strong constitution helps. I'm not suggesting this a qualifier for the job; just something a newbie should consider.

[WillTurnerinVanCity]

Thanks Robbo. We can all use a good ego-drubbing from time to time, I guess.

DD - Didn't we PM about this already or did I not hit send? I am aware of the enormous amount of material on the interweb, and your site is a great help, but if you ever find the time and are willing to help, I'm happy to talk.

I'm asking people for help, not forcing them so if they feel comfortable adding their two cents great, if not, that's cool, too.

[bobbybigfoot]

Hi Will,

Here's my take on this topic. This after 3.5 years in Korea, with two major chains.

There are two kinds of people you should be looking for:

(1) The desperate or the in debt Usually desperate people are in debt, but not always. Choose people who need Korea more than Korea needs them. These people will not quit, regardless of how they are treated. They are easily molded, out of necessity.

(2) The easy going. The laid back kind. The type that understands that teaching English in Korea is relatively meaningless, but they are okay with this. Those that find meaning outside of their employment are the best hires.

Let me explain:

As for #1, I fit this bill when I first came here. And a good thing too otherwise I would have left after 6 months. But I couldn't leave. I needed the work, the money, and so I pushed through. After a year, I still needed Korea, so I found another position. When I got on the plane to Korea (3.5 years ago now) I said to myself, "I will do whatever it takes to survive. If I have to work 80 hours a week, then so be it." I was a good match for Korea and I served my employer well. Never late. No sick days. Did everything I was asked. Why? I couldn't risk being fired.

As for #2, I worked with a couple people like this my first year. I remember asking them about grades. Their answers were identical. "It doesn't matter." But I don't work like this, so I persisted. "No, I need to know what an "A" level essay looks like for this level. "It doesn't matter. Give them whatever grade you want." ... This exasperated me to no end. So here I was getting upset, riled up, and here these two were, happy as pigs in sh*t. They didn't care one iota. And truth be told, they were right. Because the school didn't care either. Here I was trying to bring meaning to my work, whereas they were wise enough to realize not to look for meaning in a meaningless environment.

And it's really hard to change. After all this time here, I still can't not care. Why? Because Korean English education goes against one of my core beliefs: that education/children should never be a commodity that is bought and sold. That inherently, education does matter.

And now that my finances don't require that I be here, I'm now starting to think about leaving. Simply put, I don't need Korea nearly as much now as I did back in June 2007.

[Robbo]

BBigfoot, That is outstanding advice. When I used to hire I would often take hunger over experience. Someone who NEEDS money will find a way to make things work. Someone with means can bail any time they like. I'm disappointed that I didn't think of that first!

[WillTurnerinVanCity]

[chellovek]

[Robbo]

Being lied to about job conditions is (for me) extremely de-motivating. Of course, you'll generally only find out after you've signed.. The thing I like most about my current recruiter is the simple fact that she is very forthcoming. I'm an adult; don't sugarcoat situations for me to get a signature. Honesty goes a long way. I'm ten times angrier when someone eschews reality beforehand.

[Illysook]

I've got to agree with the last 2 posts.

When I came here, I had a master's degree and I was slinging shots of espresso at Starbucks. I wanted more both personally and financially.

Unfortunately, my first recruiter lied to me and I wasn't too happy at my first school. I probably would have left after six months, but that was when I found a good church and started making friends. My pastor listened to me and then encouraged me to do my best and to keep my promise. I did that, then I went home for eight months. After that break, I came back to Korea where I am fairly happy working at a public high school.

This summer, when my contract ends I want to get my CELTA and go to my high school reunion. If my principal has the flexibility to give me enough leave for these things, I will re-sign. If not, I'll be a successful hire for someone else. I might even have enough contacts that I won't need a recruiter.