Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Number3Pencils]

Hi! I've been lurking, but I've only now needed an answer to a question that I haven't already seen answered on this board.

Here's my situation. I'm a senior in college, planning to teach in Korea next year. I got in touch with an alumnus who's been teaching there. He gave my name to Recruiter 1 (R1), because they'll give him a $100 finder's fee if I get a job with them.

I sent R1 my resume and picture, and they sent me a semi-coherent email that I let sit because I figured I could find a more understandable recruiter.

Later, I got back in touch with them to see if they were worth it. They sent me a long, unfiltered list of job postings, told me to send them more information about me, and didn't answer any of the questions I'd asked, so I wrote them off as unhelpful and opened up communication with Recruiter 2.

R2 answered my questions and was pretty helpful. But before I sent them any forms, R1 showed they were still interested in me, by calling my cell phone to urge me to turn in my EPIK application to them ASAP.

Both recruiters seem to want me to apply through EPIK, but I don't know anything about my other options besides EPIK. I guess that's a bit of a side issue though.

Anyhow, I'm leaning toward R2, because they actually answered my questions and I understand what I'm doing with them. R1 is more like, Do all this paperwork, immediately or sooner, and maybe at some point we'll explain all this. So, despite the $100 for my friend, I'm looking to drop R1. But how do I do that? What can I say to them? Because I did contact them before I wrote to R2. And they do seem earnest, even if they're not very good at communication.

If you also feel like telling me a little about EPIK, that'd be A-OK with me as well. I gather that my time is running out, but I don't know how urgent everything actually is.

Thanks!

[interestedinhanguk]

Why are you only using 2 recruiters? You should be using at least 8. I understand, though, if you're only doing EPIK, then you can have only one.

Seriously though, just drop them. Recruiters are a dime a dozen. Do the Korean thing and just ignore them. Don't e-mail, etc. They would do the same thing if they weren't interested in you.

[Auslegung]

Yeah, in a perfect world you would only use 1 recruiter, but I agree that you should use more than 1. Maybe not 8, but to each his own. If a recruiter spends their time trying to place you, only to find a week or two or 10 later that you got placed by someone else, they've just wasted their time, which is part of the reason some recruiters aren't very pleasant. And ignoring them may be the easiest, but you could also tell R1 why you feel they're not doing the best of jobs. It's rare, but they could change, haha.

[jonpurdy]

Yeah, just say that another recruiter replied more quickly and gave more helpful information. If you ignore them they might keep trying to contact you.

Don't worry about the $100 to your friend. It's a small amount of money and it's better to support the recruiter who provided better service.

[ttompatz]

He's a senior in college and is incapable of doing anything until he has his parchment in his hot little hands.

I am surprised that ANY recruiter is even talking to him much less taking the time and spend the money to actually call someone without a degree.

They must be under the impression that he has actually graduated.

Note to recruiters: QUIT WASTING YOUR TIME.

Note to OP: Call back when you are finished school. The visa process takes 21 days front to back and there is no shortage of jobs.

If you want to discretely drop a recruiter: simply tell them you don't have a degree. Problem solved.

.

[Number3Pencils]

Well I'm applying for a job that would start in late August, so presumably by then I would have had time to secure a visa. Am I wrong? Both recruiters are aware that I'm still in school. R2 specifically told me to get certain forms that are particular to people who haven't graduated yet.

Why would applying to EPIK mean I only need to use one recruiter? I don't really get EPIK or GEPIK. Is there maybe a rundown on them that someone can point me to?

[ttompatz]

[Number3Pencils]

Oh, I fell into the old habit of thinking of next "school year" as next year. I've lived so much of my life on the academic calendar.

Will certainly read the FAQ on EPIK and GEPIK. Also, got a rundown on it from the recruiter. Also, found out R1 and R2 were actually parts of the same company.

[jaybert06]

to answer your original question, i found with some recruiters ignoring them just causes them to nag you more. just send them a short email saying something along the lines of "i'm sorry to inform you that i've accepted a job at another school. thanks for all your hard work." then they will stop bugging you immediately.

recruiters are only in it for the cash, and they know that most people talk to more than one. they're not going to waste any extra time if they don't have to.

and seriously, 1 recruiter is okay for epik, but if you are looking for private schools, you really need to get as many working for you as possible.

i also concur with everyone else, just wait until you actually get your diploma. looking for jobs now will not do anything to speed along the process and schools and recruiters will be much more likely to offer you good positions if you are at least in the process of getting all your documents ready.

read the faq.

[davemon]

OP, if you're interested in getting the process moving quickly, a better use of your efforts would be to get the CBC now. It takes 4-6 weeks plus time to apostille. Other than "earning your degree," the CBC apostille was the slowest part of the process.

Re: recruiter. Screw him. I've never heard of a recruiter who wouldn't boldly and blatantly lie through his teeth to get you to take any job he can. To him, you are a pc of meat that needs to be sent to the market. No more, no less.

[Michaela]