Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jhicks99]

I had lined up a position (my second position) for March 1st in Seoul.
I ran around like a headless chicken for a few days getting my transcripts, my degree copied, notarized and stamped by the Korean consulate (as I'm in Canada this is necessary), same with the background check and had all my other documents sent via fedex to my recruiter. I just got notice that the current teacher decided to renew and that I would have to find a new school.

The recruiter is being really great about it and said he's trying his best to find another school in Seoul with similar conditions - should I let him hang on to all of my documents or have them returned to me? I really don't want to jump through all those hoops having to get the documents all over again if something happens. He's also offered to forward them to another address should I find a position through another recruiter.

What would you guys do? Last time around everything went real smooth and I sent my docs directly to the school.

It just sucks because I had found a school with great accommodations (1 bedroom apt as opposed to a studio), good salary and 9-5 hours right where I wanted to be in Seoul. Now I'm back to square one and all my docs are in Korea.

I'm thinking I should trust the recruiter and leave my docs there?
Since I've already had an E2 visa before (no interview), all my documents are already in Korea and I have experience and my TEFL, and a really motivated recruiter to place me I'd think I have an upper hand at getting a good position. I'm just weary of not having them in my hands...

[VFRinterceptor]

You've just been bait and switched.

Recruiter tells you they have your dream job, harvests your paperwork and then poof, that job you wanted is gone, but hey, they've already got all your paperwork, so you're hooked in with them and the prospect of them collecting the commission of sending you to your next school is almost certain.

If I were you, get their recruiter registration number, asking politely, providing no indication of knowing they played you. Ask for the name or number of the alleged school they were going to put you in, anything that is specific to the job they offered you, remember to play it dumb. If they ask why, just say you like that position so much, you want to keep in touch with the school and would work there later on in the year, if you can transfer.

Whether the recruiter says yes or no to your request, ask for all your paperwork back or to be forwarded to another recruiter (or friend in Korea). If they do it, great. If they don't, ask why they can't.

Document everything and once you've secured a position, report them to Immigration.

OR...Just get your paperwork again and find another recruiter.

[jhicks99]

Thanks for the advice.

That does freak me out a little if that's what's happening.
I do know the name of the school and have the contact #, should I call them just to confirm what happened?

The recruiter seems to be sincere and said they understood if they needed my documents forwarded somewhere else. I don't get the feeling something shady is going on hmm..

[PigeonFart]

The same thing happend to my by the 'Pims Porea' recruiters (not their real name obviously, but most should be able to know who i'm referring to).

I thought i too had fallen victim to the bait and switch. Maybe it was a genuine thing or bait n' switch, i'll never know.

I left my documents with them for another week or two, and then got them to forward my docs to another recruiter when i got a job. Everything went smoothly after that. Good luck either way.

[nomad-ish]

it sounds like a bait and switch, mostly because your recruiter was rushing you to get your documents in over 2 months ahead of time. maybe give your recruiter a couple weeks and see what he comes up with, but don't leave it too late, because if it turns out he can't find you a decent job and won't forward those docs on to a recruiter who can, you'll have to start from scratch again.

[jhicks99]

Thanks. Well in less than a day I may have solved my problem. I decided to just deal with some schools directly myself and was just forwarded a contract, everything looks great so I'll have time if they can't forward my docs in time.

[jhicks99]

I've decided I'm going to order some new docs as a precautionary measure as well, it may cost a few bucks but it will be better than dealing with any potential headaches in the future.

It seems the market is much better for finding a position in Seoul now than it was when I last checked about 3-4 months ago, probably a combination of timing (as many schools are looking for March 1st) and all of the college grads still being in school. It's still nothing like last time I looked when I was having schools begging me to come work for them and several contracts emailed to me every day... those were the days lol

[lifeinkorea]

Your documents are already in a garbage dump.

[jhicks99]

[lifeinkorea]

[jhicks99]

[lifeinkorea]

[pkang0202]

Sometimes the recruiter is not the evil one.

Schools do not go to 1 recruiter. They ask a bunch of recruiters to find people for open positions. It comes down to a first come, first serve basis. Or, the recruiter takes the School's president/principal out to a room salon and say, "Hey, I hope you keep me at the front of the line when you consider hiring teachers".

There probably was an open position. YOu had all your paper work, but the school could've chosen with another recruiter.


Make no mistake, Koreans hire people PURELY using superficial means. Why do you think you send your pictures with your resume's? Why do you think many places ask for a picture? You could be better qualified, but this other fresh college grad is handsome so they get the job.

YEs, you shoudl be cautious with recruiters, but you should also realize they get the shaft too. They could have a verbal commitment from a school, only to be told at the last minute the school has changed their mind.

[NaraLee]

[nautilus]