Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sparkz]

there are so many recruitment companies over the internet but it seems they are mostly based or connected better in america, canada or UK...
as an aussie I would feel much more comfortable working with someone from aust...

can anyone pls recommend a recruitment company that is aussie based?

thxs ~

[cocoajelly]

Footprints has an office in Adelaide for the initial information but all the recruitment for Korea is done via Canada.

I went with Footprints and I have only the nicest things to say about them. I have been dealing with Jen and she is very professional. After my stint in korea I will be contacting them for my next placement somewhere around the world.

I highly recommend them.

[ttompatz]

OP:

Seriously, why would you limit yourself to a recruiter based in AUS. You would cut out about 90% of the potential jobs available.

Really, when it comes to a recruiter, who cares where they are from or where they are based?

A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.

Unless you have an extensive network of friends and/or colleagues in your target country OR can read/write and speak the local language and can apply directly they are a necessary evil.

REPEAT: A recruiter is nothing more than an introduction to an employer.

Hello Mr. English speaker this is Mr Hakwon owner.
Mr. hakwon owner, this is Mr. English speaker.
Mr. English speaker, here is the contract. Please read and sign.
School, here is the signed contract. Pay me.
Good bye.

-You are not paying them anything (or you shouldn't be).
-THEY DO NOT WORK FOR YOU! - They work for the school.
-They owe you nothing once you get here.
-They are not your friend.
-They are not your baby sitter.
-They cannot help you if things go to *beep* after you get here.

Beyond that it is YOUR responsibility to check the school out.

Do NOT trust ANY recruiter. They are like used car salesmen. They will lie and sell their soul to get the signature on the contract.

Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned.

Use the recruiters for what they are. Use more than one and keep going until you get what you want. There is no rush and there is certainly no shortage of jobs.

When it comes to the school - again - repeat - Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE.

1st - READ the contract over very carefully. If that doesn't scare you away then...

The best you can do is minimize the risk by talking to MORE THAN ONE of the foreign staff and ask POINTED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS (*when the boss is NOT listening over their shoulder). Don't accept non-specific answers and broad generalizations.

No foreign staff references to talk (directly and via e-mail) to = walk away now.

Accept NO EXCUSES for any reason.

ONE CAVEAT: if it is a public school there may not be a Native English Speaker to talk to but there is a chain of command OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL (your POE liaison) if you have problems and they are more strict in following the terms of the contract.

7777

[mmstyle]

Op,

ttompatz knows what he is talking about. He is well respected on this board, which is, well.....unheard of. You can trust him.

[toniyellow]

There are hardly any Australians in Korea, not enough for a recruiting company to make money being from there.

You don't even need a recruiting company, apply directly with EPIK and cut out the middle man, speed up the process.