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Marcilla
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:18 pm Post subject: Can someone recommend some good recruiters? |
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yo d00ds
I'm trying to find a job in Seoul, and if it's teaching then hopefully to older students (maybe middle, preferably high school/college/adults)
I've been in touch with GMSC for a couple of weeks, and they've been very professional and dug up a lot of offers, but they've all been for teaching young children
I was thinking I wouldn't mind acting as a babysitter, but upon further consideration I decided that I'm just not gonna bother going over there if I have to put up with a bunch of annoying little kids (lolz)
I'm thinking that I should try to get in touch with a couple more recruiters to see if I can find a job teaching older students without having to compromise on the Seoul area
I don't have any experience teaching at all, though, so maybe I'm just not qualified to do any more than babysit.. |
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plato's republic
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:25 am Post subject: |
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Just take what you can and be grateful  |
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aisainmind
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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plato's republic wrote: |
Just take what you can and be grateful  |
No, do not do that.
The shtick with recruiters is like this:
They advertise positions that hardly exist, to lure you into working with them. Remember they get a commission. Than they will ask you to send off your CV. (Be weiry of recruiters that do not ask you for a photo). Appearance is everything in Korea.
Than they will e-mail you saying that the school has some bogus specific requirement and that you do not fit the bill.
Than they will turn around and say that they have a better position and will refer to a place with beautiful landscapes (as if we really care) or a city with a port, (so you can watch some European from your balcony peeling seaweed off shellfish and placing it from one boat onto the next). Maybe slightly more pay, amenities like some western restaurants like Mc D's, or Outback, maybe more expats ( as if we need anymore) etc..and than the punch line............ It's a hawgon................
Be firm and tell your recruiters that if they cannot offer the job that was listed that you are not interested. Guaranteed after you will get a response in the effect of:
Dear mr. so and so,
I will let you know as soon as something comes up.
I/WE look forward to working closely with you in the near future If something comes up we will let you know.
That's to prevent you from coming here and doing this:
Easy English Consulting - Doesn't speak English or provide specific information, sends a thousand e-mails back and forth and then doesn't deliver.
WorldHunt - His name is Joe and he's lazy, he takes your info and sends you back an e-mail stating that he will send it off to the school. Doesn't give you a follow up, and just leaves you hanging.
NetKorea - At present they are trying to pass off one of their Hagwons an an "English Academy" to try and make it sound more legite. It's garbage, split shifts, early mornings, and boss sounds like a tyrant. They are probably getting a high commission from this one because they are advertising like 50 positions, next term is starting soon, and they are starting to get desperate.
Jun recruiting - Mostly Kinder after school programs, with split shifts they send incomplete and shady contracts that make you want to take cover, and is slow to return replies.
Kim & Joe - Short to give full detailed information and leave you hanging.
ESL JOB BANK - Useless, these guys are in California and are more personal, they will call your residence and talk to you for over an hour and claim they have a ton of great jobs and than you will never hear from them again.
These are the typical recruiters you will see advertising public positions everywhere but are short in delivering anything more than crappy Hagwons. Which will have you wanting to go home in the first week of your arrival in Korea. If you want to have a decent time in Korea, talk to a friend of a friend in your own city and try to make feasible arrangements based on word of mouth. Or contact your nearest language school and try to have a word with someone who has lived or has contacts in Korea.
If you have lucked out with a recruiter one or two, than I have to say it's a blessing and you were very lucky. Not many people are as lucky.
Personally I am just passing on information from people I know and have spoken with. This is not just first hand information these responses are coming from a few reliable sources in the esl neighbourhood.
Recruiters suck and that's the bottom line. |
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Big Mac
Joined: 17 Sep 2005
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Oh my God...don't listen to Aisainmind...she or he is crazy.
The thing is that most of the jobs in Korea for Newbies are teaching children. You just have to live with it. Maybe if you're really patient you'll luck out and get a position teaching adults. But it's more likely you'll just keep getting more offers like you already have.
Teaching children isn't so bad. The hours are great and I think you're less likely to work split shifts when you're teaching children than when you're teaching adults. |
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peppermint

Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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The quality of a recruiter is kind of irrelevant in a job search. Once you start the job, they're out of the picture, so focus on finding a good school to sign with. |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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Adult hogwon jobs aren't really that hard to get, although it helps a lot if you are already in country if you're looking for a job. Other than that, they usually don't require any special qualifications. However, as cool as teaching adults can be, the split shifts that almost inevitably come with adult hogwon jobs can be pretty rough. Also, adult hogwons usually do not give you a free apartment but you may get a housing allowance or key money to help you with the expense.
If the recruiters you are dealing with aren't pointing you in the direction of adult hogwon jobs, try applying directly with some of the bigger adult hogwon chains (YBM, Pagoda, Direct English, BCM, English Channel, etc.). |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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OP - give Footprintsrecruiting in Vancouver a try. If you want to work in Seoul middle schools, they'll have opportunities for you. |
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sonshine20
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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Better to NOT use a recruiter. Look for positions yourself. Get help from people already in Korea. If possible, go to Korea yourself to job hunt. There is no need to use a recruiter. |
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Hobophobic

Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Location: Sinjeong negorie mokdong oh ga ri samgyup sal fighting
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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aisainmind wrote: |
Big Mac wrote: |
Aisainmind, I'm just wondering when you're going to get yourself banned from this forum. |
hey man that's the name of the game! |
Here's a game for you...
A unt, B unt, ___ unt
You can try Work n' Play worknplay.co.kr they're pretty good, and have dinners and trips and whatnot if you like that kind of thing...so they do stay in touch....
I've only used a recruiter 2 times...back in 2001 and last year for my job now....the one in 2001 was a complete A$$ and fit what most people describe recruiters as here....
....good luck |
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aisainmind
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hobophobic wrote: |
aisainmind wrote: |
Big Mac wrote: |
Aisainmind, I'm just wondering when you're going to get yourself banned from this forum. |
hey man that's the name of the game! |
Here's a game for you...
A unt, B unt, ___ unt
You can try Work n' Play worknplay.co.kr they're pretty good, and have dinners and trips and whatnot if you like that kind of thing...so they do stay in touch....
I've only used a recruiter 2 times...back in 2001 and last year for my job now....the one in 2001 was a complete A$$ and fit what most people describe recruiters as here....
....good luck |
Here's a game for you.
Look at the dots closely
I take it in the A..!
Enjoy |
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Hobophobic

Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Location: Sinjeong negorie mokdong oh ga ri samgyup sal fighting
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="aisainmind"]
Hobophobic wrote: |
aisainmind wrote: |
Big Mac wrote: |
Aisainmind, I'm just wondering when you're going to get yourself banned from this forum. |
hey man that's the name of the game! |
Here's a game for you...
A unt, B unt, ___ unt
Here's a game for you.
Look at the dots closely
I take it in the A..!
Enjoy |
I bet you do But I am not going there big wheel... |
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aisainmind
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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Was that supposed to be funny?
Ok i'm laughing, don't make stupid jokes if you can't back them up...  |
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Hobophobic

Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Location: Sinjeong negorie mokdong oh ga ri samgyup sal fighting
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Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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aisainmind wrote: |
Was that supposed to be funny?
Ok i'm laughing, don't make stupid jokes if you can't back them up...  |
You took that in good strides....you crack me up...cheers.  |
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Smee

Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:31 am Post subject: |
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Peppermint's right about this.
I got the runaround from tons of recruiters, and got placed at schools that eventually went bankrupt (before I came to SK). I'd get offers for jobs that were in the wrong location, or which taught the wrong levels, or which had the wrong pay scale, etc.
Then I sent out cover letters in which I was really specific about what I wanted (location, money, vacation, levels, etc.) It worked, and I started to get some offers that were actually what I wanted.
I didn't have problems with ATC. www.atcjob.com They found schools I wanted and they were as honest as a Korean will be. Try them.
But when you send them cover letters or your resume, be specific about every detail. At least in ATC's case, they weeded out schools or places I Had no interest in whatsoever. |
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dbee
Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Location: korea
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:33 am Post subject: |
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Question: Smee are you in any way associated with atcjob.com ??
Pls. state whether you are or not truthfully.
I've had a look at their website and it comes across as a little bit ... err ... weird. It's full of teachers having 'the time of their lives' and accounts of 'dreams coming true' for them to be in Korea. Now I'm not a Korea-basher by any means but it just seems that it's a little bit strange that all of they're teachers are so invariably estatic about coming to a new culture.
The testamonials seem a little strange as well. I'm just going to pick out one here but there are around 30-odd on the website - read it and tell me what you think ?
Quote: |
Hi Patrick,
I just wanted to let you know that things are great at my school and I'm really happy with my placement. My school is even paying me more then I signed for in my contract . My director is a really nice man and takes good care of everything.
You did a wonderful job. I just wanted to let you know that. I really appreciated the fact that you personally picked me up at the airport. That made me feel all the more comfortable in the transition to Korea.
So far Korea has been quite good to me. My neighbourhood is beautiful and I'm getting accustomed to the lifestyle. I have taken many trips around the country already and I have seen some very interesting sites. August has been a very busy month at work but it doesn't bother me much since everyone is very friendly at this school.
Anyway thanks again. If you'd like me to write a letter of recommendation for your website then please let me know. I'd be happy to do so.
Take Care,
Andrew Colli
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... doesn't the tone of that letter sound a little strange ? Like perhaps it was written with a third party in mind ? ... namely the newbie teacher ?
Again, maybe I'm wrong here. I haven't heard anything bad about atc, for all I know they may be the one honest recruiter out there. And all their teachers may be having the time of their lives. But it still comes across as a little weird, no ? |
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