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LTeach
Joined: 12 Jun 2012
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 Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 9:37 pm Post subject: Applying to Hagwons - Response Time |
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| I've applied directly to quite a few hagwons and have yet to hear back from any of them. I was just wondering how long do people typically wait for a response? I know that a lot of positions in South Korea are filled at the moment but I am now seeing a lot of available jobs on the Job Board - as advertised by recruiters. I didn't have much luck with recruiters before due to the lack of jobs available but do you think I will have more luck now if I apply? |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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If you are in Korea, you have a greater chance. You have nothing to lose by sending your resume out to as many recruiters as you can.
Personally, I wouldn't pursue 1 specific job offer at a time or hope on a few. Get the message out you are looking for "a" job and see what offers you get. Anyone could be finishing their contract, so it's just a waiting game until a spot opens up. |
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Keeper
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
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| Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:41 am Post subject: |
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Be sure they know you have all your paperwork ready, (you do don't you?).
That you will work anywhere, (you will right?).
That you are certified and/or have experience teaching (if you don't have anything look into it or going to China).
You need to set yourself apart from the other dozens of resumes. Do that and you may find a better response. Seriously look into China if Korea is not responding. |
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viciousdinosaur
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
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| Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:47 am Post subject: |
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| The job boards are very misleading. To begin with, many of those jobs are duplicates. Multiple recruiters for the same position. Also many of those positions aren't confirmed positions. They are looking for someone just in case their teachers doesn't renew, bails, or they fire them. Add up all the jobs on those boards and divided by four and your probably have a better sense of the real number of positions. Remember this is a small country and a small market. There's a lot of overlap. |
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pattyb
Joined: 29 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:41 am Post subject: |
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It seems there are jobs out there but finding a "good" recruiter to hook you up is the tough part (unless, of course, you have impeccable credentials).
I had trouble getting a response from anyone but once I found the "right" recruiter, I had multiple job offers (some better than others). Unfortunately, for me, I couldn't take that particular job and now even that recruiter won't return messages.
I may try China too, as someone suggested, if the Korean thing doesn't work out. |
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LTeach
Joined: 12 Jun 2012
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| Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:40 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the responses. I was thinking of going to China too if Korea didn't work out. If only they paid as well as Korea...What recruiter were you using PattyB? |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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| LTeach wrote: |
| Thanks for the responses. I was thinking of going to China too if Korea didn't work out. If only they paid as well as Korea...What recruiter were you using PattyB? |
Be careful with China. It's not the same. Sometimes recruiters will have you sign a contract with them instead of directly with the school.
Another thing, they are pushier than recruiters in Korea. You might ask for an adult teaching job and then get on the phone with the school, finding out they only teach kindergarten to middle school students.
Or, you might not find out until you go in for an interview. In Beijing, the recruiters like to meet with you first before you get interviewed with the school.
Instead of worrying about a specific recruiter, you should focus more on the offers and communicate with the school. Even with Korea, I don't understand, to some extent, why people are worried about which recruiter to use. You aren't working at their place. If you make the school happy, the recruiter won't care. They work for the schools more than they work for you. In China, you might be contractually obligated to the recruiter, but I would never sign a contract to that effect.
Use sites like www.thebeijinger.com or www.echinacities.com and be careful when interviewing on the phone. Look at Korean contracts as a guideline. There won't be pension or severance usually, but you will get a transportation allowance for holidays which is a little something they add. You'll get housing just as in Korea, but I have found in the rural parts, housing can be awful (cockroaches, smelly sewer smells from the bathroom, water smells bad).
There are two basic types of apartments, one with security (or on campus housing), and the other kind is like a concrete basement style building (freezing in winter). In Beijing or Shanghai these places have a "cottage" feel but are not too bad. In the rural parts, it's a difference between $300 USD/month and $150. I suggest getting $200-$250 if you are looking to save money (6 month leases, with a 7th as a "yajin" security deposit). Otherwise, get photos of the apartment or don't move into it. You don't want to gamble on this aspect and take whatever the school provides without investigating (or you WILL be sorry).
Generally, Chinese employers are better than Korean or Japanese employers but it comes with less benefits and perks, assuming the Korean employer will make good on their promises of severance and overtime. Chinese employers tend to leave you alone more, so don't expect any orientation or help. If you ask a question, you won't get an immediate answer today or tomorrow. It might be weeks before they do something, unless it directly has to do with your class. Even then, they won't do anything until the last minute. Always have a plan B ready with Chinese folks. |
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