Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jmackenz]

Well, I'm new to this forum although I've been browsing it for a few months. I have to say that getting to Korea has been one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. I have been trying to get to Korea since May, but I have run into some terrible luck. To sum up what has happened, I had a job lined up in Gwangju and I was supposed to be there in June. It took me a long time to get the paperwork but I got it in about three weeks before I was supposed to arrive. I never received a visa issuance number because my diploma went through a random authenticity check, which delayed the process and then the school did not want me anymore. I then got another job lined up, but then I found out that my papers would not be accepted at the new immigration office and I would not be able to get the new papers in time for when I was supposed to start the job. Out of frustration, I decided to switch recruiters.

I found another recruiter which at first seemed to be fine. I got all my papers together and sent them in. Since my papers arrived just over three weeks ago, I have not heard anything from the recruiter. She refuses to respond to my emails. I have read that this process should not take this long. I really have no idea what to do. Has anyone else had bad experiences with this recruiter? Did anyone else have to wait this long for the visa issuance number? I have spent so much money on getting these papers that I really don't want to have to gather them again when there seems to be no assurance that I will end up in Korea. Should I forget about this job and search for another one or should I continue to wait for my visa number? Any advice that anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

[cruisemonkey]

Use many recruiters, and:
- Don't be sucked in to the old 'bait & switch' - where you're offered a great job that 'falls through'... but the recruiter has another (not so great) job you're under pressure to take.
- Don't make a poor decision based on haste because the recruiter is telling you the employer wants you here 'yesterday'... check things out and if necessary, post the contract here on 'Dave's' to get opinions.

[snurglersons]

did you have a job lined up and had interviewed for/accepted? or did you just send all these documents to the recruiter for when a job comes up. if thats the case and the recruiter has disappeared on you, you may be screwed. word to the wise, never send anything to the recruiter, only to the school once you have a contract.

[jmackenz]

Thank you both for your advice.

Cruisemonkey, I've already come to some of those conclusions by reading this forum, however, my problem, I think that is I am a little desperate to leave my situation at home. You 're right that I should use more than one recruiter, but given the situation I am at home, I tend to take the first job that is given to me.

Snurglersons, I did have the job lined up before I sent the documents. I was unaware that I could send them to the school. The recruiter tells me to send them there, I guess I have no idea why I would not have sent them to the recruiter. I will keep this in mind, the next time I send the documents although, I am considering giving up on Korea.

[cruisemonkey]

[romano812]

If you are looking for a recruiter I highly recommend Jason and the team over at ASKNow (access South Korea Now). They are Canadian, straight forward, and will tell you if they can find what you're looking for or not. They are also involved in a lot of promotional events in Korea for foreigners.
If you are looking for a recruiter stay away from Y&G Recruit, they suck. Nothing more to say about that.
Good Luck.

[jhuntingtonus]