Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HollyLove]

Hi,

So I'm currently working with a recruiter from Korvia and I'm not sure what to think. I really would like a placement in Ilsan but I feel my recruiter is forcing me to Ansan. Does anyone know anything about this school or this area?

from my recruiter:
It�s located in Ansan and nearby school there is parks and it�s nice living environment and closer to Seoul as well.
Also it�s within an hour distance to get to beach by subway.

Here is the school information for you.

Name of School: Seokho Elementary School http://seokho.es.kr
Location: Hanyang Univ. at Ansan station(line no.4, station no.449)
Number of Teachers: 80 teachers
Number of Students: 1,664 students

I've read a couple of post about Ansan and people don't really seem to like it. Also others have said it takes over an hour and a half to get to Seoul but my recruiter says 45 mins tops, that its extremely developed and just like Ilsan (haha I don't even know what Ilsans like just what I've read online, but most peoplel like living there...)

My recruiter asked me if Ansan as a place to look two weeks ago but I told her I really would either like Ilsan, Buecheon or Anyang or somewhere else thats within 30 or 40 mins of school since I have friends who live in Seoul and I want easy access. But she says the only placement she can find for me right now is Ansan and that Ilsan and others don't open up until the end of December or January and if I wait then I might not even get a job if I turn this down...Is this true? Has anyone else received a job offer for this area (public school by the way)

I'm not sure what to think of my recruiter. She loses track of the information I send her. She told me to I should get a certificate I already have, she scheduled an Interview with a school for the exact time and day that I absolutely can't do it and I kind of feel shes pressuring me to take a placement I don't even want. Am I being ridiculous? I don't even know much about Ansan but does anyone like it? Also is what my recruiter saying true? My phone interview is tomorrow night and she made it sound like it's already set in stone and this is it.

Sorry for the long post. Any help/input or advice would be appreciated!

[HollyLove]

bump

[NatalieIlsan]

Don't take a job you don't want.

If you want to be in Ilsan, keep pushing.(Ilsan is fun!) It might take some time, but they'll find something, especially if you can wait until Feb. or March. Really, you would arriving the last week in Feb. for a March 1st placement, so that isn't alot longer to wait.
Recruiters are getting alot of money for placing you in a school.

And finally, I went through Korvia, the recruiter's name was Juno and she was really great and accomodating.

[Hightop]

If you want to live in those places because they are close to Seoul why don't you look for jobs in Seoul? I don't like Ansan but I have met 4 or 5 people who live there and like it.

[Murakano]

who did you speak to? Juno and Joyce are usually on the ball and pretty straight up with things and usually one of the more reliable recruiters.

Ilsan positions crop up all the time so if you can wait, I would do just that. Don't let anyone force you into a place you don't want to work at.

[HollyLove]

I think I'll still go through with the interview even though she scheduled it during one of my classes and only then postponed it enough so it now falls right after my class and I'll probably have to do the interview in a Walgreen's parking lot at night in the cold (can you tell i'm slightly bitter?)
I'm still trying to keep an open mind and maybe I'll like the school.

I've been talking with Joyce and though the experience has been ok it definitely hasn't lived up to the standards I've heard from others. The last email she sent told me I had told her that I was completely free during the interview time she set up and that I had given her the wrong phone. Which of course wasn't true and I even copied the original email that clearly stated when I was available (anytime but the time she scheduled) and the correct phone number and sent it back to her.

I get the feeling shes dealing with a large amount of people and maybe thats why shes messing up. I can understand that I don't understand her pushing a placement on me that I told her multiple times I didn't want and making it seem like my only choice if I want to teach in Korea. I'm thinking of switching recruiters but think its too late at this stage and really this is one of the most highly recommended...better the devil you know as they say.

Sorry if I was b*tching I really would appreciate any other advice or information or whatever

[HollyLove]

I had my interview tonight. They seemed nice I just don't think I want to be in Ansan. Does anyone know if I turn this down will Korvia keep looking?

[HollyLove]

[mayorgc]

Ansan station to Sadang station takes about 1 hour and Sadang is practically the southern tip of Seoul ( I think). If you want to hit up Gangnam, Apgujeong, Myeongdong, Sinchon or Hongdae, you'll have to add 15 - 30 mins on top of that hour.

I've been to Ilsan only a few times but it looks nice, it has a costco and everything I've heard about that place has been excellent.


But everybody says it's an employer's market now, so you should check if any options are actually even available.

[HollyLove]

Thats exactly my worry. According to Korvia as long as you have a TEFL teaching certificate they guarantee a placement but I don't know how it works when I turn down an offer. Joyce seems to be really pushing Ansan and she also says Ilsan placements won't open up until the end of December. Has anyone gotten a job offer from there yet? Also more info on Ansan would be nice, maybe I'm just getting a skewed view from the previous posts (its very dirty and very inconvient to Seoul). During my interview the ladies I were talking to said it was only 20 to 30 mins to Seoul which seems to be a lie according to everyone else...