Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AbbeFaria]

Do recruiters have contact information on former teachers at schools they want to place you with and are they able to set up phone contacts with me? I feel this is necessary after reading the horror stories and how, in some cases, when speaking with current teachers, the converstations are monitored by directors to ensure nothing negative is said about the hogwan.

If the recruiter says I can speak with current teachers but not former teachers should I insist or just assume they're shady and move on?

Thanks,
-S-

[plato's republic]

This is Korea. Do not assume anything. Actually they might not have the contact details of former teachers but it's a perfectly normal request to make. I would ask to speak with both current and former teachers. In my case, my hogwan was new so I wasn't able to talk with any foreign teachers but it turned out alright in the end.

[joe_doufu]

Ask to speak to current -and- former teachers. It's ideal to speak to them after they've gone home to the home country - by then they've got their severance (or not) and their honesty isn't compromised. If you talk to the current teachers, ask for their e-mail or mobile phone number, because you know the boss won't be listening in.

[magicwolfman]

It is definitely acceptable and something that I would recommend doing. The recruiter should be able to get that information from the school. It never hurts to get the real heads up.

[Tiger Beer]

Extremely acceptable.. but remember.. often times those same teachers are trying to do whatever they have to do to be in good to get their severance pay and whatever else.. so a CURRENT EMPLOYEE isn't always the most reliable choice.

At one point when I was actively looking a few years ago.. I posted the particular employer I was thinking of working for.. and had some people post why they didn't think I should work for them (based on their own experiences) as well as a CURRENT EMPLOYEE who really gave me the dirt through a PM and asked to respect his privacy as he was currently still employed.

So.. in short.. I find the internet the best reference place over CURRENT EMPLOYEES particularly via the phone while they are in the office. (In addition, if you don't sign, the employer will often assume its something you said as a current employee).

As to your original question, yes, you are completely entitled and its fair game to ask to speak to current employers about the job beforehand.

Even best is what I do.. go to the school myself and really see and get a feel for the place before I actually sign anything. (Not easy to do if someone is far far away though - but nothing replaces actually seeing your prospective workplace and situation before you begin).