Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yes]

I hear warnings about working with recruiters but not a lot of concrete back-up, plus they are so plentiful they seem to be the way to go. What are the risks? I've gone to a few and have gotten so many job offers (currently in NYC) it honestly seems like a crapshoot pretty much when it comes down to it. Thoughts?

Thanks.

[Grotto]

Recruiters will tell whatever they can in order to get you to sign. They will lie, bluster, threaten(as in you better come quick or no job) and mislead you....they have less ethics than used car salesmen do!

That being said....its easy to find jobs using them....you just have to remember that everything they told you is most likely a lie and that you cannot rely on them in any way shape or form. Few recruiters have anything to do with the teacher once you arrive in Korea!

Perhaps we should start asking recruiters for the names and email addresses of several people they have placed, just like we do for teachers who have worked at the school you're going to.

[some waygug-in]

If you use a recruiter, just remember it's the school you deal with.

Whatever the recruiter may say or do, you have to confirm it with the school directly. Recruiters have been known to stretch the t......r......u........t.......h...... just a little, so you'd better take what they tell you with a grain or two of salt.

The most important thing you can do is contact present and or former teachers at any given school. See if you can get an email address so you can ask a lot of questions.

Beware of teachers who have only been there a month or two, they probably are still in the "honeymoon" stage and will be as shocked as you once the shyte hits the working conditions.

[rothkowitz]

Recruiters(at least,that I've dealt with)don't have to wear the cost of anything.

They receive their fee which is really just a finders fee,or introduction fee.

Teacher-school,school-teacher.Fee please.

Granted,they'll send out a worker to do some paperwork.

If you find things to be quite different than how it was described to you,they'll feign ignorance or blame someone else.

[Hotpants]

Talking to a recruiter on the phone from NYC is one thing. Being in the school that you've signed with on the other side of the world is quite another...

I would only recommend a recruiter if you can get direct personal recommendation for them. Otherwise, I would want to see the school in person and talk with existing teachers if I were to go through a recruiter. Sounds harsh, but a recruiter is just like anyone marketing any product - they will make it sound as if they are giving you the world. As you know, not all goods live up to their hype...