Korean Job Discussion Forums

[s0ngs4me]

Please post your reviews of recruiters here.

Here is my review of REACH TO TEACH.

By far the worst recruiting agency. I applied to Epik in May, turned in my documents early July and was put on a waitlist. My recruiter KNEW that people were being wait listed in JUNE; however, failed to let me know that until AFTER I sent her ALL my expensive precious documents. After she received my documents, she sent me a nice little email telling me I was wait listed.

Also, I'm sure my documents could have been sent to Epik earlier, if she had not went on vacation so much. Gillian is the worst recruiter. Please go directly through Epik. Thank you.

[samcic]

Heard good things about Korvia.

[bentobento]

I've worked with Reach to Teach and am currently working with Korvia. I'm in no way connected to anyone at R2T, but I read your posts a ways back, ok? Here's what you did wrong:

I'm only putting this note because you are complaining to a bunch of threads. Did you even go through other recruiters? If not, then how do you know they are "by far the worst"?

Ok. You say you started gathering your documents in mid-May? You shouldn't have even bothered with EPIK Fall 2011. I suppose maybe she should have told you that your chances of getting a position were slim-to-none, but spots can open up. I don't know how far back she started asking you for documents though. After your screening interview with them she should have told you to collect those documents right away.

I had contacted them in January, and had a screening interview within the first 2 weeks or so. I started gathering my docs for Fall 2011 in mid-Feb. I had everything ready to go in early/mid May until I realized I had left my recommendation letters in a binder at the post. I had to get new ones and sent all my documents by late May. She got them June 7th. If you only started gathering your docs in May, I am guessing you didn't send them off until late July... dude, the program starts in late August. By the time they got your stuff of course the spots would be filled, especially in a recession like this.

Anywho, I didn't really have any trouble with Reach to Teach, they always did a good job answering questions. Plus, I knew they were understanding everything I was saying since most, if not all, of their staff are native English speakers who have taught before. If I could put one negative out, it'd be that they were quite persistent on getting me to send docs as fast as I could. That could also be seen as a plus though so ?

Korvia I just recently started working with. They seem a little bit slower in answering my concerns but are still good nonetheless. I assume they have a higher amount of applicants since they only recruit for Korea (whereas R2T recruits for China, Taiwan as well). They had a recruiter Jane (who has since left), who many seemed to have trouble with. People applying for Fall 2011 didn't really to have too many complaints and the Eat Your Kimchi peeps recommended them so I figured I'd give 'em a go. Plus, they will fix you up with a pre-paid cell, pick you up at the airport, and looks like they organize get-togethers for new teachers upon arrival.

(I'm not sure if they still do all that, but any extra help when coming to a new and foreign country is appreciated.)

Just my 2 cents.

[bentobento]

Actually, I think that Korvia recruiter was named Joyce. Doesn't matter much I guess.

[s0ngs4me]

Bento - How come you didn't try and use R2T again?

I wish I would have known mid May that it was too late to start applying to Epik. She kept reassuring me that there were plenty of spots left, even after I expressed my concern in June that I was afraid of not getting placed. I was apprehensive about sending my documents, but she urged me to do so anyway. I am mainly complaining because it wasn't till AFTER I sent my documents that she said I was waitlisted and started going over scenarios in case I was not placed. IF ONLY she told me mid May...basically throughout the summer that there was a slim chance, I would have considered other options. I also wished she wasn't on vacation so much. I am glad that you had a good experience; however, I did not.

[bentobento]

[jeremysums]

There are lots, travel and teach or something is good, but I think they're for Canadians. I'm not sure if they do other countries.

[Weigookin74]

I would say based on what I see to use only larger big name recruiters if you're trying for public school or for some academies (hogwons). Some get better reviews than others. Otherwise, if you're applying to get any job here, I'd say use a foriegn based recruiter (say one based in Canada, the USA, etc). Stay away from the smaller or mid sized Korean based recruiters because they'll put you into any bad hogwan job and not care. If we all boycot them, they go out of business. Leaves less room for exploitation, in the long run.

You can search the ads, view the websites here, do google searches, and use the search function here to check bad recruiters out.

In summary, use only larger Korean based ones or smaller western based ones.

[Weigookin74]

But, I would add that we must try to support western based ones as much as we can. Though, I think EPIK may only use the larger Korean based recruiters.

[morningsoju]

theres a ton listed in the Job Discussion forum.

as for me, i know someone who owns a hagwon and he directed me to his recruiter. their website is www.schoolofrok.com. they have be awesome so far. i'm actually looking for a job that starts in January and he's been sending me some good stuff. i'm not too picky with the areas, which is probably why i'm getting better results than others. he's really good about his emails too. pm me if you'd like the person's info.

hope that helps!