|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
chronicpride
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: What do you think? |
 |
|
| Michelle wrote: |
Chronic Pride, (and I don't mind replies from other teachers on the board), don't you think we should refuse these deals and not set a precedent?
I certainly would not like to have to pay this commision for all university gigs in the near future if I don't have to. One recruiter finds out the others don't have to pay.
There are usually a few deductions at first anyway. They already look in country and wefly ourselves over to secure these jobs usually. Last job didn't offer the full airfare unless I stayed 2 years.
What's wrong with a university or college posting on Dave's anyway and avoiding the fiasco?
Next they'll be charging the teachers on a scale depending on how they advertised for them?
Anyone agree or am I moaning and whining too much?  |
No, you're not whining, but unfortunately there's not much that we can do about it. The universities don't see much of fiasco from their perspective. They outsource the burden of combing thru countless resumes, the flood of emails asking questions and feedback, and have someone take care of paperwork (with exception to going to immigration to process the visa letter), and they don't have to pay any money to anyone to do this for them. So, from a university's perspective, there is zero fiasco and headaches. There is a lot more fiasco and headaches if they advertised on their own. And they would still have to pay for advertising. As opposed to the recruiter paying for advertising.
This industry doesn't really give two hoots about the teacher's position, and we can rant and rave and spit and fume, and threaten 'blacklisting' (which will do what? Make recruiters receive maybe 20-30 less resumes out of the 200 that they get each month? Remember, only a fraction of teachers in Korea come thru this site and read blacklists.). The word 'blacklist' has become such a punchline, especially since some lists have been proven to be as fraudulent and as crooked as any teacher, school, or recruiter in the biz.
Setting a precedent would be a good initiative, if a significant majority of people came thru this place. But how do we get the word out to the tons of teachers that come thru newspaper ads, Monster.com ads, job fairs, etc..?.Eslcafe is the most popular site for Korea job seekers engaging in discussion, but that does not mean that is a collective representative force in the esl industry here. It doesn't matter how much we 'blacklist' or warn others, or set precedents. there will always be an influx of applicants from all different sources, plus you have the people here that may not necessary subscribe or care about such precedent, and will apply and pay a commission for that particular job. All of which negate our well-intentioned efforts. It's just like the 'I'm starting a teacher's union. Who's with me?' thread that get started by a new crusading teacher, every 6 months.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for your position and it's a good thought with good intentions, however setting job-seeking precedents and issuing blacklists is like trying to stop a tidal wave with a shovel, when you consider the scope of things.
Last edited by chronicpride on Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Gord
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: What do you think? |
|
|
| Michelle wrote: |
| Anyone agree or am I moaning and whining too much? |
Why don't you just say it. You want us to be a union to drive up wages through restricting availability rather than through providing a better product. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CanadaCommando
Joined: 13 Feb 2004
Location: People's Republic of C.C.
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I really dont see the problem. If flip ant doesn't want the position he/she is free to refuse. The fact of the matter is that most Public Schools/Uni's really dont need to advertise, and certainly don't need recruiters. Why should they pay more when there are SCADS of people in the field searching for these sorts of jobs? In this case, the recruiter is providing a service not to the school, but to the teacher...it only makes sense that is the the teacher who pays.
I'm hunting for a good International School gig come next year. All recruitment services specific for I.S.'s charge the teacher AND the school (about $600US i think). They also charge you $100 just to be a member! I also have a few private recruiters I know searching about to any side doors into promising I.S.'s. If I get a gig, I would expect to lay out about $600+ for finding me the position.
Flip Ant- to me, if the job seems worthwhile and better than all that hagwon crap out there, shell out the money. It's a few hundred won that could make your life much better. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Chronic Pride, (and I don't mind replies from other teachers on the board), don't you think we should refuse these deals and not set a precedent?
I certainly would not like to have to pay this commision for all university gigs in the near future if I don't have to. One recruiter finds out the others don't have to pay. |
As Gord pointed out it's market thing. If you want better service than you're going to have to pay for it. Otherwise stay in the ok (I'll freely admit that there are some good hogwon gigs out there, but also some bad) positions that you don't.
IMHO a lot of the really good positions in Korea are either going to be through agents fees where you pay for a person to hook or through networking. Due to the sheer numbers of people that are here (pipeline growth as well as recent arrivals) there is going to be some stratification in the market. It is highly possible to network your way into the good gigs, but I don't see anything wrong in paying for decent positions. I can get a free crappy watch as a giveaway, or I can pay for a Rolex. It's a year of your life so you really gotta think about. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
flip ant
Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Location: He's got high hopes!
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks everyone for your input. After thinking about it, I've decided that the position is worth it and the recruiter has agreed to break it up into three installments rather than the entire 30% out of the first paycheck. I know I need to watch this to make sure the amounts are right. It is a public school position that doesn't seem to fall under the auspices of EPIK. At least I haven't had to fill out any EPIK paperwork.
I guess my initial reaction came from being blindsided by the fee. I've come to believe this was a slip-up in communication as the recruiter apologized for not making it known. In his defense, the way we got together was a little unorthodox anyway, so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. My eyes are both wide open, though.
Thanks again, you guys are great. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dalton
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| peppermint wrote: |
A 30 percent commission from you is highway robbery- the school pays them- NOT YOU!
To hell with thtreatening to blacklist them- do it. |
I believe they are blacklisted.
I read about the 30% commision BS on a blacklist this weekend. My contract is about over and I'm doing some homework before I start my search for the next job. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
