Korean Job Discussion Forums

[whiteshoes]

I know the standard line on Dave�s is that recruiters are all one size fits all. For the most part I agree, but that�s not always true. I won�t say the name of the recruiter I worked with, lest anyone think I�m shilling for them, but let me tell you about my experience �playing� the recruiter.

I started to become interested in coming to Korea around Christmas of 2008. I put my application up on Dave�s and as a 20 something white American I got a ton of responses. Like 25 in the first day. Music to my ears after having just lost a job at home that took 3 months of underemployment to get. In the first round of emails I saw that I needed a lot of docs, I didn�t even have a passport. Still, I took the calls from recruiters, and even had a few interviews.

But nothing really came from that. It became a matter of, �Get your docs and call us back.� So I took some time, did some snooping on Dave�s and got a better handle on how to spot a good school or a bad one. Eventually I did get all my documents. The requirements have changed since then but I did thinks like make scans of every document, and showed the seals and apostles.

Then, after I did that (it was around the end of Jan/ start of Feb) when I put my resume back up on Dave�s. Interestingly, the first company that called me around Christmas called me again. I never returned the call in Christmas, but I thought it was cool that the same recruiter called again. Most of the previous recruiters DID NOT call back.

When the recruiter called me I sent them all my docs, and I was very professional on the phone. They offered me a job in Ilsan at SLP. I did some research on Dave�s and found out the reputation of SLP, and did some digging. I talked to some people who worked there previously, and they said it was a great. After that I had an interview. It sounded great, the manager spoke great English and didn�t seem to hide anything.

After the interview, the recruiter told me that the school really liked me, and they decided that I should try to hold out for some more money. We waited for the school�s response and I did some more research on it. When they said they couldn�t give me more money, I didn�t care. I�d done my research and knew it was a good fit.

Afterwards the recruiter told me that I was the best prospective teacher they had at that time (by virtue of my professionalism, and I assume my whiteness and nationality) and that the school they placed me with was the best they worked with at that time.

After I started working there, they kept in touch. I was so happy to have a decent job with a good hagwon, I told them I�d be happy to help them anytime. I let them know when I heard of hagwon jobs opening, and they called different hagwons and got some business. When my friends wanted to get a job, I always gave them the hagwon�s card. I�d just call it networking. At any rate I was able to get them a decent amount of business. They also let me know about some of the background of what their job is like.

For example, sometimes hagwon owners demand a refund if you don�t look as hot in real life as you do in your photo. Also, everyone knows when you�re blasted drunk around your school. Kids do notice when you come to school hung over. Remember that one time you tried to hit on a MILF? Well her best friend has a kid who�s a student at your hagwon, and they called and let your boss know. And for the love of God, there is no reason to meet a middle school girl after class hours. No, you are NOT her friend�

After my first year I wanted that �coveted� public school job and this recruiter didn�t have any so I went with someone else. You know, a recruiter is a recruiter. Except, these people never called and when I had some issues at my school they didn�t help.

Fast forward to the end of my second year, I was looking for a uni job. I�m doing my MATESOL, so I thought I had a good chance but just in case I got a hold of my first recruiter. They started looking for me, and said, �I won�t contact you until I�ve got a great job for you.� In the meantime I tried to get a uni job, and sent out tons of resumes all over. While I was doing that I got an interview at a uni, and was later offered a job. Before I could tell my recruiter, they�d found a hagwon job for me. The job was for 2.7 with a new officetel in Jamsil. The school was brand new, and is one of the fasting growing hagwon�s in Seoul. It�s a kind of boutique hagwon for kids.

Of course I took the uni job, but by putting some effort into my relationship with a recruiter got me a pretty dang good offer. So, while all recruiters are the �same� don�t forget that it�s a small community. If you do something good for them, they�ll remember and will reward you later.

[naturegirl321]

Exactly. What goes around comes around

[alwaysbeclosing100]

i have read daves for a couple of years and the only recruiter i have almost ever seen openly participate as a recruiter is footprints will. most all the others write anonymously. im not affiliated with will and have never talked or worked with him.

[WillTurnerinVanCity]

[whiteshoes]

Well I didn't deal with Will, but he seems pretty upfront. If you want to know who I'm talking about, send me a PM. But the more important fact is that you be prepared and professional. I'm sure Will can attest to that.

[sojusucks]

If you can find an honest recruiter they can help you in many ways. The hard part is finding an honest one, in the first place. I've never lied to a recruiter but plenty have lied to me. Two have been honest and they will always get my business.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Alistair at Korean Horizons is a prince. My first year, he helped me with more than just settling in. He also helped me during the renewal process, as I had an extremely difficult coteacher who was dragging her feet and didn't understand that I needed to know more than 2 weeks before my contract ended, if I was to get home leave.