Korean Job Discussion Forums

JamesHolt · Joined: 06 Mar 2009

I recently replied to a job posting with a company called Craig's Korea which staffs for Korean schools. They've started the process of hiring me, but I have yet to make a real commitment yet.

I've been looking around online for more information about them, because I don't want to leave the country and find myself in a tight spot.

Has anyone else heard anything about this company? And what advice do you have for people who are totally new to this field looking to get into it?

the oak llama · Joined: 05 Dec 2008

I think I found his site once.

It's the guy that's based in Detriot, right?

and there's a picture of him dressed as a pirate on the page?

May I suggest Korvia or ESLPlanet?

JamesHolt · Joined: 06 Mar 2009

Yeah, I found his site. That's where I applied. But I haven't found any more information at all.

I'll try the ones you listed. Thank you.

the oak llama · Joined: 05 Dec 2008

I really don't know anything about craig's korea other than that I stumbled across a week ago. But Korvia and ESLPlanet are two that I have certainly read good things about.

Dave's is a really good resource. You can dig around on here and get a good idea of what you're getting yourself into and what to expect in your application process and all that.

So check these forums up and down. the Korean Jobs ---> FAQ is a good place to get started and then when you get some specific questions come to this forum and post them. People are usually willing to help you out if you have a specific question.

If you have already applied for a job through craig's korea, then you should look at the "Contract" sticky at the top of first page of this forum to get an idea of what kind of offers you'll be getting and the types of things you should definitely pass on.

Did you apply for anything specific, Public schools / Private schools? They are two totally different animals.

If you have someone at craig's that is working with you and answering your questions then that is a good thing.

It won't hurt you to try a couple of different recruiting agencies. You might find some more helpful than others. If nothing else you'll get more offers to choose from.

good luck to you.

DJ Clae · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

I'm working with Craig's too. They've hooked me up with talkingclub.co.kr. Looks like more of an outfit. Craig's looks like it's recently changed from Hoya English and G'Day Korea. I'm no expert at this point, but the advice I read on this site -- the school/job matters, not the recruiter -- I've taken to heart. A lot of these site names seem pretty fly-by-night. It can be unnerving if you're used to working only with established organizations.

I also applied to some other recruiters, which I think you should do too.

lou2565 · Joined: 07 Mar 2009

That's funny...I've been working with HoyaEnglish and they hooked me up with the Talking Club too...the recruiter emailed me yesterday with her new address...wonder what that's all about...anyone heard much about "Talking Club"? I haven't seen much about it, good or bad...I guess that's a good thing?

DJ Clae · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

Yeah, I got the new address soon after applying too. I just had a phone interview with Talking Club Monday night. Have you gotten an offer/contract yet? That's what I'm waiting for.

lou2565 · Joined: 07 Mar 2009

Yea I got an offer for a branch in Dongducheon...contract is pretty basic and I've talked to a couple people who work for the Talking Club and haven't heard anything bad about it...I'm not too keen on the area, so I told my recruiter to find me a different branch further south...I'm really interested in the Busan area so we'll see what she comes up with...

DJ Clae · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

I'm trying to get (1) Seoul or (2) Busan. I haven't gotten a contract or location yet. I'll keep you posted. Good to know someone else is going through the same process with them.

DJ Clae · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

I haven't gotten a contract from them yet. You're lucky. She tried to interested me in a job at a "better" school in Daegu, but I told her I really wasn't willing to compromise on Seoul or Pusan (I'd be second-guessing myself the whole time I'm there if I settled). They apparently haven't heard anything back about the first interview I had -- funny, it was short but I thought it was okay.

So I'm applying to more recruiters now. I'm under the impression that you can get a hagwon job in Korea for sure if you're qualified and willing to make the commitment. I hope that's right, because my current job is over within a week or so, and going to Korea this year is my plan now.

DJ Clae · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

Craig's Korea was not a good one to deal with. From the beginning they wanted all of my documents up front, before we had even determined the school. When we finally got the point of receiving a contract, before I'd even seen it the recruiter was on the phone asking when I was going to mail everything in. I told her that I needed to see the contract first of course before I made my finally decision, and she seemed understanding about that on the phone, but after hanging up I never received the contract and never heard back from the recruiter. I mean, I can understand I was on a short deadline for positions starting in early April, but you have to at least make sure your applicant will be satisfied with the school first.

I've worked with quite a few recruiters now, and unfortunately it has been my experience that there are some out there that are just the bottom feeders. They don't have as many schools, so they try to push you into the one or two they have open with little regard for the applicants preferences in order to make money.