Korean Job Discussion Forums

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Stay away from E&I (also known as ENI) led by Sunny Jang. Undercover Gyopo snitch for the police and recruiter, Steven Grommesh, a guy who likes to strongly pressure foreigners into committing narcotics crimes, works for them, too.

squirming · Joined: 24 Oct 2005

ATC sucks. They hooked me up with the hagwon I quit last month. In my experience, they are full of s*** and will say anything to get you where they want you. They lied about the hours I would have and the types of classes, they lied about the other teachers being happy and content working there (I arrived to meet disgruntled, frazzled, depressed teachers trapped there). Their recruiter Clara turned out to be best friends with the vice-director. For more on that ridiculous business see this thread: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=50894&view=previous

Homer · Guest

My recommendations:

1- Asia Pacific Connections (run by a guy who was a teacher in Korea)

Well run agency (last time I checked) and support for teachers once in country.

2- Angel Recruiting (located in Cheongju I think)

Run by Mary Kim, and they seem to be on the up and up and offer support to the teachers they place in Korea.

There was also CK Teachers Abroad (I know one of the founders of that little agency) but they shut down because the two guys who were running it (both ex ESL teachers) had family commitments plus a full time job back home that ate most of there time...too bad as they were running a decent ship.

If you want, I can put you in touch with one of the guys that used to run CK Teachers..perhaps they have more information...just pm me.

If you use a good recruiter, as a newbie it can have several advantages such as helping you sift through jobs, providing advice...

The recruiters I mentionned above are commited to placing good teachers in schools that offer good conditions.

Not using a recruiter is also a good option if you know your way around....

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

dbee: No, I'm not affiliated w/ ATC. Actually, I was with Clara too, like someone else in this thread.

Before I came to SK I was set up with two different schools, both of which went bankrupt before I left the US. The recruiters weren't able to answer any questions, let alone guide me through the visa process (nor did they give me any explanation as to why I was let go so quickly). So I was struck by talking to someone actually able to do that. (Reminds me of the Chris Rock skit about giving props to someone for doing what they're SUPPOSED to do.)

Like many have said, the recruiter did leave the picture a week or so after I came. (And I expected that.) Turns out ATC was in pretty deep with my current hagwon, which made for some problems when my hagwon went sour and turned anti-foreigner. Although Clara said she'd lobby on our behalfs, when I sent an email she replied by sayign that this was Korean culture and that she couldn't alienate such a big client as my hagwon.

Gorgias · Joined: 27 Aug 2005

A) I for one hope that @asiamind doesn't get banned, I have not seen anything more offensive than I post written by this member, furthermore, getting banned is very obnoxious, having to re-register and all that is a little bit of a tedious process on this forum.

B) This is my M.O., it worked thrice, and I was pleased with the results, as the wise Tony Robbins says: "just copy other people who have been successful."

1. Email youself your CV, photo, scan of passport, and scan of photo.
2. Go to the jobs listed part of this site, othersites, and search Google for "recruiter Korea."
3. Spam all okay looking jobs with your personal info and a tiny blurb about youself in the message part (this will be quick, 'cause you already attached it all and sent it to yourself, so just click "forward" and put a title like: "personal info.") Send 20 to 50 of these spam messages, don't forget to personalize the text part of each message: Dear Mr. So-and-so, I saw your posting...."
4. Wait 24-48 hours. Many will reply to you. Reply back to those that seem okay.
5. Say yes to an interview and ask for the email of a current foreign teacher. Send them whatever else they want, a little essay or some facts.
6. Do the interviews, all on the same day if possible.
7. Check your email the next day, choose the job you like best, and reply to that recruiter.
8. Wait a while to reply to the others, incase something doesn't work out, or you change your mind.
9. Go to DHL or FedEx and send your diploma, signed contract, photocopy of passport and a few photos.
10. Hope that you made the right choice, wait for your ticket and/or visa papers if that applies to you.
11. Politely thank the other recruiters for their intrest in you, you may have need of them shortly if things go badly.

NOTE: That's it, no problem. Don't forget steps 1 to 3 as the spamming part of the process is what will get you many offers, I suggest sending the personal info attachment right off as they're gonna ask for it right away anyhow.

AND: ***Avoid calling them, sending any more emails than required, talking for longer than necessary during the interview and in particular meeting them before everything is finalized: from the moment they first reply to your inquiry and info attachment, they have decided you are okay, the main thing is not to give them any reason to change their mind.***

vox · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Location: Jeollabukdo

Hello,

I know the OP is asking for good recruiters but as long as some baddies have been listed it couldn't hurt to list one more - ESL JINI or JINI Kim out of Pusan, real name is Yu-Seok Kim. He recently led 40 foreign teachers to a disaster with a disreputable employer you can read all about in Job-Related Discussion Forums. Remember, if the JINI said it, it's all smoke and mirrors.

Have a great day!

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

I recommend Jacob at ESL Job Bank and Winnie at ETIK. I was very picky about the jobs I would accept but they both found exactly what I wanted, and very quickly too.