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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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iggyb
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
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 Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject: SMOE & Recruiter - Well, Come in March... |
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This one is for all the salt in the wound TESOLers who believe every other TESOLer in Korea is a bleeping loser - except him/herself:
I just got an email from my recruiter telling me to come to Korea in March, because SMOE won't take me because I can't make the first day of orientation.
I have 4 years of TESOL experience in Korea and over 6 altogether with 1 in a US high school. I've got a MA in Teaching English and certification in English and ESL in my home state.
Three or four weeks ago, when my recruiter told me that the proof of previous employment in Korea I had was not what they wanted - that they wanted a specific form letter from the hakwons, I knew it would be nearly impossible to get one from at least one or two of them. I had not taught in Korea since the beginning of 2000.
I told the recruiter I'd sign a lower contract. I said more than once that that would most likely be necessary, because I probably could not get that form letter from each school.
But either because he didn't contact them or they were too busy or whatever, they did not send me a new contract until last week. I had in back in the mail via DHL the next morning and it got to Korea within three days - this past Monday Korea time.
I was told SMOE was then sending the visa number by FedEx.
I emailed asking for the tracking number so I can see when it was going to arrive so I could be here and ready to go to the consulate in Atlanta when I know they will process the visa overnight.
Today, I get an email that SMOE said I have to come in March because I can't make it to orientation on time.
Unbelievable...Well, no. It is more than believable. This is the ESL industry in Korea we're talking about...
On another thread, someone said teachers in this position should contact SMOE directly.
I checked the website and couldn't locate an email.
There is a telephone number, but I'm not crazy about calling it trying to get an English speaker who will quickly understand the nature of the call and connect me with someone I can talk to who would know things --- since it is clear SMOE wants to be buffered from exactly that kind of contact with applicants... |
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iggyb
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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Latest Email Exchange:
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Unbelievable.
I emailed you a couple of weeks ago that I would sign a lower contract because time was running short if SMOE would just send the contract, but that wasn't done.
The paperwork wasn't handed in and SMOE didn't send me a new contract until it was impossible for me to make it on time.
I spent over $120 sending material by the fastest way possible.
And SMOE is canceling the contract. They are going to accept lots of people with no teaching experience and no degree in education, but after all this, they are going to turn me down.
The new contract should have been sent to me as soon as it was clear they wanted the proof of employment form that I could not get from previous schools.
It should have been clear early on what form they wanted from the previous schools so I would have been able to say that I could not get that form from 2 of the schools.
This is ridiculous. |
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Dear Scott
we are very sorry about that.
SMOE confirmed you can start from March.next year.
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It's comforting to know you are sorry.
Thank you for helping me remember I'm dealing with the Korean ESL industry.
Sincerely,
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iggyb
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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My last reply
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Being sorry does nothing for me.
My (Korean) wife's father had terminal cancer. I began looking for ESL jobs in Korea so I could help her family out directly.
He died a couple of weeks ago, and getting to Korea to help her mother has become more important.
And I have wasted all this time on this application process with you. The problems that came up should have been clear early on and manageable.
Now, my wife's father is still dead. Her mother still needs help. But, I have to start hunting for another job at square one.
Saying I'm sorry does nothing to ease that. |
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buildbyflying
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: To your right. No, your other right.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:40 am Post subject: |
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| my sympathies. I'm in the exact same boat. Keep your chin up. Things happen for a reason. |
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