Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bugstove]

How long does it take until you get a halfway decent hagwon to show interest in you. So far I've had offers from two SLP schools, one in East Ilsan and one in Eunpyeong, and another for the LCI Kids Club in Gwangju (which, from all accounts that I've read, is the definition of a TERRIBLE hagwon). I know that I will not even consider the school in Gwangju, and so far my research has led to me to believe that the majority of SLP schools are terrible as well. Should I tell the recruiters that have hooked me up with these schools that I know that I'm not a sucker and I don't want to work for hagwons that have terrible reputations? Will these recruiters write me off because I'm not willing to sign the first contract they send my way? Are there recruiters out there who really want to place foreign teachers in decent hagwons where they'll be somewhat happy? How do I deal with these recruiters? Should I stop complaining and take what I can get, or should I just keep waiting and hope I finally land a contract that will be at least somewhat respectable?

Basically I just want to know if it's possible to let a recruiter know that I'm not a sucker and want to be placed in a semi-decent school. How do I let recruiters know that I'm not just another sucker waiting to sign whatever contract comes my way but have them keep an interest in me.

[KoreanAmbition]

Use as many recruiters as you can and then wait for the best offer.

In my opinion, if you're only using one recruiter at a time, then you are a sucker.

Or give the recruiter a salary you want...or certain conditions...and then just ignore anything the offer that doesn't match.


Some recruiters only have crappy jobs maybe... that's why you need to have a lot of them looking for you.

Good luck.

[bugstove]

I currently have around seven or eight recruiters that I've been in contact with. I think maybe the problem is that I just come off of as some sort of schmuck who hasn't done his research and thinks that any job in Korea will be the golden opportunity of a lifetime. Although, I don't understand how I could come off this way; I've told every recruiter that I've talked to that I already have all of my visa documents in order and I'm ready to work for a good school. I suppose I should just be patient, but I've been waiting for at least four months trying to get a decent offer...

[Bog Roll]

Have you shaved off your beard and took a new photo?

Are you still insisting that a school hires you and your friend together?

They might be big stumbling blocks.

However - if you have amended these stipulations then it all rolls down to the right recruiter and the right school who likes the look of you. If you look like Ryan Phillipe - then you can pick the best hagwon in Hauendae beach but if you look like ZZ Top - then you are a year too late to be picking and choosing.

[bugstove]

[morrisonhotel]

It's taken me about 4 months to get the contract I want. I kept getting offered crap hagwon after crap hagwon by recruiters (or public schools so far out in the middle of nowhere that I'd be basically the only foreigner in the area). I think I was offered two decent places in that time. I did the leg work myself and found the job that fits everything that I was looking for. If you have specific things you are looking for, find your own job by finding schools using Google and Google Earth. It's the smartest move I've made in the entire application process.

[bugstove]

[gregoriomills]

Recruiters are a great resource to use, but use them with discretion! I found a pretty good place through one this year, and I was in public last year. A good idea would be to make sure they have email addresses of PAST teachers who have worked there recently. Most past teachers offer pretty good reviews of working there. If the teacher still works there, there is a small chance he/she could just be trying to fill his or own position after finding out it was crap!!

The best recruiters usually work with the best schools, and they usually only cover a certain area of the country. Best of luck, and if you're coming to Busan, PM me and I can give you a few names of decent recruiters.

Always remember, the VAST majority of normal (2.0m - 2.5m) teaching jobs here are neither stellar, nor horrible.