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Losing Position After Signing Contract and Sending Documents

 
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conranp



Joined: 09 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:22 am    Post subject: Losing Position After Signing Contract and Sending Documents Reply with quote

I have had the misfortune of having the rug pulled out from underneath me as a position which I was told I had went to someone else. I signed a contract and sent my documents from Europe and was informed this morning that the school's director had changed his mind and wanted someone already based in Seoul. Has this happened to anyone else? It's very disheartening, not least because I turned down other positions for it. Not to mention I currently don't have my documents in hand and I am not sure if I will be reimbursed the $100 I spent on DHL.
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luckylady



Joined: 30 Jan 2012
Location: u.s. of occupied territories

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

unfortunately, it's not an uncommon event.

just be glad that you found out early that your boss would be such a selfish pig and chalk it up to experience.

you certainly won't get your money back, and chances are you can kiss your docs good bye as well.
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Hotpants



Joined: 27 Jan 2006

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That sucks.

Tell the school that you want your documents returned by express mail when they get them.

The bottom line with teaching gigs, no matter where in the world they are, is to always have a plan B.

I've had a lot of experience with employers over-recruiting for things like summer camp positions, only to have to turn away teachers just days before they were expecting to teach.
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YTMND



Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Has this happened to anyone else?


Of course. Priority goes to:

1. the person who has documents and is in the location of the employer
2. then the person who has documents and is near the location of the employer
3. then the person who has documents and will be in the location of the employer after having a FACE to FACE interview
4. then the person who doesn't have documents yet but will get them shortly and is already in Korea
5. then the person who has documents and is not in Korea yet, but the school has already paid for the flight
6. then finally the person who has documents and is not in Korea, they paid for the flight or they are getting ready to (OUCH double whammy if they already bought a ticket)

So, you see, a person at number 6 could easily become 1 if they just take that flight to Korea and bring their documents with them. If this is your first time, then either live with the consequences or take a job that no one will take. Do it for a few months, and then ask the employer to let you go. It will cost you, but you can move on to a better job and be the person who is replacing you with your current job.

Good luck in the future and to climbing that ESL ladder.
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conranp



Joined: 09 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for all the responses, I appreciate the feedback!

The recruiter received my documents today and informed me of the school's 'decision' at the same time. I imagine at the very least I'll get my documents back but true enough I'm not holding out much hope for reimbursement!

I've been getting some decent offers so I'm not too worried about getting more contracts but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was very upset when I woke up to this news.

Oh well, next time I won't count my chickens!
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conranp



Joined: 09 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

By the way, how can I make sure this won't happen again? Is there anything I can do to ensure that I have a position before sending my documents? And if not, can I rest easy after they register my documents and send me my code for the visa process?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Troglodyte



Joined: 06 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's no way to guarantee it. Always get a couple copies of the documents that you need. Even if you don't need them now, you don't know if 3 months down the road you hate your job and want to leave. Having another set of docs means you don't have to worry about whether or not you can transfer. You just leave Korea and get another visa.
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HeavyTZM



Joined: 25 Aug 2011
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm super worried about this happening to me also. I just sent my docs today. How long after you send your docs do you usually get your visa?

EDIT: nvm, i found the answer in another post. 4-10 days.

Can any experienced posters throw out the % of people they think this happens to? Losing their position after sending docs I mean.
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asdfghjkl



Joined: 21 Jun 2011

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

HeavyTZM wrote:
I'm super worried about this happening to me also. I just sent my docs today. How long after you send your docs do you usually get your visa?

EDIT: nvm, i found the answer in another post. 4-10 days.

Can any experienced posters throw out the % of people they think this happens to? Losing their position after sending docs I mean.


I think it usually happens more to people who send their documents to an unscrupulous recruiter before being offered a job. However, I am sure the percentage is small given that a lot of people will come on here and write about who did it to them. Also, I don't know if people still fall for that trick as much.

In this case, the recruiter probably lost a commission, too, so it was probably just the school. I feel bad for OP because it sounds like there's nothing he could have done to prevent this.

Speaking of which, OP, what's the name of the school that did this to you? At least give their next applicant a chance to find out about their business practices.
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HeavyTZM



Joined: 25 Aug 2011
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks asdfghj

That makes me feel a bit more confident.

I agree with asdfg also, post the name of the school
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PigeonFart



Joined: 27 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

same thing happened to me. But my recruiter offered to keep my documents on hold while i looked for another job. I took up the offer, and when i found a job a few weeks later i got the original recruiter to post my docs across Seoul to another recuiter. Consider that option rather than having them posted back home again.
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ontheway



Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...

PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

HeavyTZM wrote:
Thanks asdfghj

That makes me feel a bit more confident.

I agree with asdfg also, post the name of the school



Actually, unless you heard directly from the school that you were hired and then not hired, it may not have been the school at all. So you should not post their name.

Some recruiters have been known to tell more than one teacher that they got a particular job. They keep an applicant in reserve. They do this to cover their bases and do so without telling the school. If one teacher drops out or doesn't send their documents the recruiter will have another applicant ready and waiting. This way the recruiter can still make the placement and not lose out to another recruiter. If neither applicant drops out the recruiter blames the school to the "reserve" applicant.

Sometimes they try to shift the reserve applicant to the next position available at the next available school.
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