Korean Job Discussion Forums

Canucksaram · Joined: 29 Apr 2003

Hi, folks. I got this e-mail today from a new recruiter. They charge candidates a commission of 25% of the first month's salary. I've never heard of any other recruiter that does this; have you?

This recruiter is either very new and very wet behind the ears, or is hoping to snag some stupid and/or desperate jobseekers. *sigh* And they say it's teachers that are the bloodsuckers by expecting higher base salaries or by charging "too much" for tutoring.

Offer: Teaching at Public Elementary School

Dear. Whom it may concern

Hello. This is Pamela from TutorWanted.

We are looking for Native English speakers who are interested in one-year contract
(starting on March 14, 2005) with a Public Elementary School Boo-Pyung area (line
#1, near In-Cheon) If you do not have all the required documents such as a woking
visa, the institute will cover all the cost that will incurr in the process of
getting the visa. *Time: Monday - Friday, 12:30 pm- 6:00 pm
(the actual teaching time starts at 1:00 pm)

*Pay: 2,000,000 - 2,300,000 Won / Month

*Work Visa: If you already have, great! If you don't, the school (our client) wil
pay the cost to get the working visa!

*Housing: it is up to you to decide! (either housing allowance or actual housing)

*Interview: scheduled on Tue. March 6, 2005 (the class will start on March 14, 2005)

You may be asked to show your English related certificates such as TESOL.

As a recruiter, we take the 25% of your first month pay. However, there is no
further commissions after the first month! Your employer will DIRECTLY pay you. If
you are interested in this position, please email us with your RESUME, PICTURE &
CONTACT INFO (ASAP).

Please do not hegitate to call us at 010-7930-257X.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

TutorWanted,
Pamela K.

lawyertood · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:21 am Post subject:

There were agencies doing this eight years ago....

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

This doesnt sound like a scam to me as they are seem to be open and honest about their conditions. Sounds to me like they are charging a fee for job matching, and they only get the fee if they are successful.

This would probably appeal to candidates that have trouble securing a job.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Recruiters have to get paid somehow, either by the employer or the employee. If they get their money from the employer, then you're likely to get a lower salary. Think about it this way, recruiter A gets you a job for 2 mil a month and is paid by the school, then recruiter B gets you a job for 2.3 (the high end of this recruiter's ad) and gets 25% of your first month's salary. Do the math and you'll see that you're ahead with recruiter B after the end of one year. Also, it seems to me that any recruiter is going to side with the person who paid him or her if there is a dispute. Might not be a scam, or it could be. Don't know for sure.

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

I've seen a few of their ads, and I rather like their honesty. All recruiters take money of some sort, and most PT job offers through agents take part of your salary (which could definitely be more than 25%). This recruiter only does it for one month, which seems pretty fair to me.

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

The job is for a public school, so the recruiter is not getting paid by the school; universities also don't pay recruiting fees.
I know of one recruiter who only deals with universities and her cut is 25% of the first check, which is the same as the OP stated. It sounds legit.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

NEVER let recruiters tell you want to do!!!
you tell them how its gonna be!!
you tell them everything.. if they dont like it.. you say! ok SEE YA!!
recruiters seem to think they have this special power over teachers becuase they are finding jobs.. they are nothing more than SCUM!!

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

Canucksaram · Joined: 29 Apr 2003

Thanks for the replies, folks.

Yes, I understand that recruiters need to earn in some form or another, but taking on the front end (recruiting fees paid from the employer to the recruiter) and the back end (another fee from the candidate to the recruiters) is slimy. If you can pull it off, well, then, hey, good on ya. But I don't like such two-timing and thought I'd share a heads-up.

As for public schools "not paying" recruiters, I know for a fact that this is not so. I have done recruiting work myself and have recruited for public schools and they typically pay recruiters a million won a head (for a candidate with basic qualifications; more for a more highly qualified candidate).

Canucksaram · Joined: 29 Apr 2003

Thanks for the replies, folks.

Yes, I understand that recruiters need to earn in some form or another, but taking on the front end (recruiting fees paid from the employer to the recruiter) and the back end (another fee from the candidate to the recruiters) is slimy. If you can pull it off, well, then, hey, good on ya. But I don't like such two-timing and thought I'd share a heads-up.

As for public schools "not paying" recruiters, I know for a fact that this is not so. I have done recruiting work myself and have recruited for public schools and they typically pay recruiters a million won a head (for a candidate with basic qualifications; more for a more highly qualified candidate).