Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ajak568]

I'm sure this has to have been a topic before, but I can't search in my search bar! If it has, please just post a link below, and I can read responses from previous discussions.

My question is about recruiting agencies that you all recommend. I am currently working with Gone2Korea for public school jobs, but I thought I might also use a couple of other agencies to search for private school jobs. I have been contacted by Aclipse, but I have heard shady things about them and who they represent (Chungdahm Learning) which may or may not just be rumors, but as a first-timer, I'd rather play it safe and maybe branch out to other jobs after working through my first contract.

Please let me know if you have any experience with Gone2Korea or Aclipse, and let me know of any recruiting agencies you recommend or recruiting agencies that I should be cautious of working with or that I shouldn't work with. Thanks for all your help!

[Skippy]

FUDGE FRICK FRACK FRAZZLE and F&*( I knew I should not have deleted that bookmark list of about 120 threads relating to Recruiters. and recommendations.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Aforums.eslcafe.com%2Fkorea+recruiter+recommend

Yes, this question has been asked many many times. Wait a little while and maybe ttompatz will post his Word of Advice about recruiters.

As to the two ones you want to know. Try these two links.
http://searcheslcafe.com/?word=Gone2Korea
http://searcheslcafe.com/?word=Aclipse

The search here is a little touchy try either www.searcheslcafe.com or google with site:forums.eslcafe.com/korea "WORDS HERE"

[HeavyTZM]

I second Skippy's advice for the google site: search function. That's all I have done in researching various matters, and I rarely do not find what I'm looking for. As for recruiters, I think everyone will tell you not to worry about the "good ones." Just sign up with a lot and wait for a good offer (although I have read some stuff about not wanting to be with more than one recruiter sending you resume to the SMOE, GEPIK, and EPIK programs).

Here is a list I have compiled through various threads:

"Good ones" (people have had nice things to say about them):
Korvia, ESL Plant, saykimchirecruiting, Aclipse, WorkNPlay, Korea Connections

Here are some others that I would sign up with for the hell of it:
esltree, teach away, think outside, get2korea, oK recruiting, footprints, starteachers.net, JJ recruiting, appletop

[Sarzy]

Adventure Teaching doesn't get talked about all that much, but I had a friend who worked with them a couple of years ago and had nothing but good things to say. I'm working with them now (about a week or two away from departure) and also have no complaints at this point (though obviously I'm not even there yet so it's a bit too early to say).

[mikesaidyes]

I used English & Korea http://www.englishnkorea.com/ . I also applied to like 30 other recruiters and had other offers, but this one just felt right.

I've been here about six months and am at an amazing hagwon. The school is extremely professional, organized and honest. I feel I'm quite lucky, honestly.

The best part about E&K, I think, is that they have Vince, who lives in New York and serves as your initial contact for the informational interview, setting up everything with the school and he answered easy contract questions.... you know, on your time if you're in America.

That being said, Mr. Kim here in Itaewon was always in on the loop and was prompt to respond to any other complicated questions. The visa process went REALLY fast, especially since the hagwon had a vacation about two weeks before I was to arrive.

They even helped me add things to my contract, etc. and were really upfront with me about requests. I, naturally, wanted everything in the ESL Cafe laundry list of requirements. While I didn't get everything word for word, as promised, it's all here in the end (appropriate taxes, pension, health care, air con, nice apartment, standard hours etc).

[underworld9202]

A good point up there about waiting for a good offer, irrespective of the recruiter. I've joined lots but certainly I've been impressed by Teach ESL Korea and Korvia, who've been sterling - a big thumbs up!

[proverbs]

SchoolofROK.com is great. especially for the Gyeonggi area.

good luck!

[lesigh]

I've had a not-so-stellar experience with Adventure Teaching.

First, they forgot my interview with me. I had to contact them to find out why.

2nd, my interview was about 10 minutes long. I guess it's because my recruiter forgot about it and was unprepared.

3rd, they keep shoving CDI down my throat. I said no, and I stil had Aclipse contact me about an interview.

[matty022]

I'm working with Teach ESL Korea right now. So far they've been great, found me a position that I start in June. They never missed sending me a response even to my most basic questions.

I can't comment on their in-country support yet, but so far I'm very satisfied.

[mwalls]

I worked with quite a few recruiters before using Korean Horizons. They do public schools outside Seoul. I dealt with Alistair and he was very professional and helpful. I start May 1 in Namhae, but if you want a more urban setting there are position in Busan and Incheon. I'm pretty happy so far.

Gone2Korea also seemed pretty good--very professional.

I tried some of the others that focus on some of the bigger hagwon chains, and while that wasn't my cup o' tea, I didn't run into any I would flatly say are horrible. Apple Tree Recruiting was pretty good up to the point of finding hagwon positions. This is my first job, though, so I don't have much to compare it to.

[asdfghjkl]

Hey mwalls, not to get off topic here, but I'm also moving to Namhae except in June. Do you want to hang out sometime? I get the impression it's not the hub of Korea's foreign community, so we'll probably run into each other anyway.

[mwalls]

[asdfghjkl]

[overdrive2023x]

Korvia.

I went through them, and have met every single recruiter in person. I told them what I wanted, and they helped me find it. They also help you network (I guess you could call it that) and meet other foreigners going through them. They have an awesome welcoming party too every semester.