Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr Lee's Monkey]

I realize it is called networking and touted as an advantage to connect with a foreigner to get into a position. There are some foreigners who take this on themselves and do a really hack job of it, so I thought I'd bring it up here for people to see and talk about. I've had some experience responding to ads, particularly on Koreabridge, where foreign teachers are helping their schools find new teachers. Some of the foreign teachers I've dealt with have been haughty. Some respond in maddening ways, or quit responding altogether. Some are much less than forthcoming about what a new teacher might be getting into. I'm not sure why, because I don't really like the us and them mentality, but this bugs the crap out of me. For some reason, I imagine foreigners will do right by other foreigners. Doesn't necessarily work that way and is often suggested here as the best means of knowing what one is getting into.

[litebear]

[thegadfly]

People are people, regardless of nationality -- selfish, ignorant, greedy, horny, and lazy. Some people rise above those "qualities," but such folks seem to be in the minority.

In my own experience, I have never received accurate information about a school from any of the foreign teachers I have spoken to -- I HAVE, however, been able to interpret the information accurately. For example, when speaking with a "haughty" teacher, as the OP mentions, I understood that when he said, "they don't listen to the teachers," he meant, "they don't listen to me." Based upon my impression of the fellow, I actually RESPECTED the fact that the school didn't listen to him, and lo! and behold! the school DOES indeed listen to teachers....

Take everything with a grain of salt, and realize that every person has biases, prejudices, and axes to grind. I would take nothing at face value -- perhaps it is the cynic in me, perhaps it is just the realist...but I would say to trust your gut over anything anyone else tells you....

[northway]

I stop responding when an individual asks too many inane questions after receiving the contract, i.e. "are you paid for prep time?" when it clearly states in the contract that you are not (and good luck finding a job where you are). I like to be helpful, and I think my school is plenty decent on the whole, but I'm not going to encourage people to work there who seem like they'd totally newb up the joint.

[DaHu]

This is not what is called networking.

It's just another example of these schools acting unprofessionally. Of course, the Korean recruiters they get may very well be more unprofessional, so.....

[le-paul]

why would anyone expect another foreigner to help them out realistically?
If you stand to get a severance payment from leaving your school quietly and offering a replacement teacher, what is to stop you telling white lies etc to the next teacher?
If they asked 'did you like it?' 'were there any problems?' would people tell the truth knowing the consequences? (ie they wont want to work there). In matter of fact, a foreigner would be the last person I would expect to be honest with me if I was going to fill their shoes. And I dont know how many dirty, shitty apartments ive moved into with a fridge full of rotting crap or something. How does that fit into us and them?

[Mr Lee's Monkey]

I've seen it a million times here on this site - ask a teacher at the school (a foreign teacher, not a Korean one)... talk to the teachers... awesome response le-paul - me too, and not just an apartment or fridge filled with filth, but also a pretty shitty job.
I didn't word it well, but the us and them I meant was in reference to the times I see people taking issue with Koreans, Korean employers, and jobs for problems that actually exist in lots of jobs and lots of places..... Regardless, I wish I'd had this kind of feedback from all but Litebear (not into snark) a long time ago. I'm here and doing it - have been for a while - but I know less than I have to learn and am always surprised by something. I had an exchange with a foreign teacher looking for a replacement this morning that blew my mind, and it hasn't been the first time. Glad I stuck it out there. Thanks, all.

[SeoulNate]

I always find teachers for my school via craigslist. I have no problem doing it since it not only nets me some extra cash and vacation time, but I ask get to pick the person I will be working with for the next year.

The only thing that bugs me about it is that I have to be much more Korean than I would like to be in the hiring process. Meaning that I have to look first at credentials, but then a very close second at looks. I have gotten quite a few rude responses from people when I tell them the truth about their application, but I do try and help them out as much as possible.

Not to mention I have had all kinds of idiots respond to my adds usually people requesting information that is already in the add, not giving me a photo or cover letter. Hell, even just a few weeks ago I just had someone respond without giving me a resume.

Even with that said however, I do always tell them the truth and I am very upfront with my responses. But it does help that I really do not need to lie about anything with regards to my school, it truly is a nice place to work.

[ibeattheborg]

So, to the OP: If You have ended up in a shitty job because of the lies of the former teacher, When it is your time to leave, what do you say to prospective replacements? It is a question I have asked myself recently. The bottom line(severance and flight home) seem to bias my possible advice to the newb and therein lies the moral quandary. It seems we will sell each other down the river for a few thousand dollars, or the fear of not geting that cash.

[some waygug-in]

This is why it's good to talk to a teacher who has already left a school,
not someone still working there.

A current teacher may feel pressured to paint a rosy picture because they are afraid of not getting their full payment at the end of contract etc.
Whether this pressure is real or imagined is a point of debate I suppose.

It's also wise to talk to several teachers if possible, some people are just wingnuts to begin with and you don't want to trust his/her opinion on anything.

[Mr Lee's Monkey]

Ibeattheborg - I'd tell the next person it was a shitty job if they asked and I'd be very clear about why I found it shitty. I really would. Then it would be up to them whether my idea of what constituted shitty was relevant. I'd honor my contract terms, be it giving proper notice or contract fulfillment (tough proposition in a shitty job). Then I'd leave it to the owner to find a new teacher. It isn't my responsibility. I think most of the foreigners who are engaged in finding replacements are doing it because there's something in it for them - anything from an extra couple hundred won to a big ego boost and a (silly) feeling of power to choosing their coworker Let's face it, it isn't their business. It cracked me up when the guy said he needed to be "Korean" in his response about choosing his coworker, although he also sounded like a nice guy. I wouldn't lie out of fear of my employer. I would also really struggle with hosing someone the way I've been hosed (more than once). It ain't just about the money for me. The girl I communicated with this morning took a license with her bosses business and was so smarmy and condescending - a piss poor representative and just plain nasty. Utterly self absorbed. I think it's at least possible that her boss may have actually taken issue with her manner, but likely that her boss will never know what she's up to.