Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Emark]

It's the conspiracy theorist in me that makes me wonder if there are Teacher Black Lists, and some way that Korean schools or recruiters flag teachers. There are some Black listing sites for schools, directors and recruiters. Surely there must be the same for the Koreans to report about teachers.

Are there any proven incidents of this?
Are there some articles that have been written in the papers and videos from the Korean media?
Does anyone have a story of how they were blacklisted out of a job opportunity?

This should be an exciting thread.

[Skippy]

There was an old post about a supposed black list.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2393946

Also hagwon associations will also keep a list of troublesome teachers. Those hagwon associations are at times local.

Like any blacklist, the problem is it gets dated, quickly. Plus the problem with the lists it really never gets used. Human nature of people be lazy. Sometimes it is SO HARD to fill in a form or submit an experience.

Some schools may also use immigration to check out teachers. Previous jobs held, immigration violations or troubles. They may also check around with other government agencies. Through with these, I wonder how much and if they will get information as there is some privacy issues.

Some do the leg work and call previous schools. The unfair part is at times many teachers who have been good or even great teachers, will get bad mouthed by previous schools.


Question OP are you suspecting you are blacklisted. Do tell!

If you are being told by this by a recruiter, take it with a grain of salt. I have had a recruiter once tell me a school I was looking at, had heard of me and though I was a bad teachers. Yet low and behold she had another offer to consider.

[soomin]

I agree~ I feel like a call to the head-teacher or a letter of recommendation is good enough... so as long as you have one person on your side, you'll be fine... this is especially important when your boss is angry you are leaving and is ready to make trouble for you... always have an ally, lol.

[Emark]

Do I think I've been black listed? Maybe.

I sent out a few resumes and such feelers for some summer camps. I haven't received much response. Maybe it's just the times.

I have read the entire 3 page post that Skippy directed me to. Thanks Skippy. It seems that all you have to do is have bad chemistry with your boss or co-teacher and they could flag you! Maybe everyone who has B blood type has been black listed! Oh those outrageous, overbearing B's!

Anyway, I want to apply for GEPIK or EPIK, but I'm just curious if the heat I caused has come back to bite me in the form of blacklisting.

Now that I'm married to a Korean, I have someone that can check this out. She is curious too. We will report what we find.

No, I'm not a type B!

[Skippy]

Sometimes it is not black listing it is just some reason. Wrong country, not prepared, wrong skin color, too fat, too male, etc. How are you selling yourself. Sometimes that certain blurb on your resume or that blank spot can speak volumes.

The market right now is in the hagwons and schools corner. So they can be picky. It would be nice if recruiters and schools would give a heads up if you are eligible or whatever. They do not. A brush off is better then a complete silence.

Well since you are married to a Korean, learn to use that to your advantage.

[Weigookin74]

[Troglodyte]

[Skippy]

[UlsanBoy]

I want to get back to Korea, I sent my cv into a lot of agencies but no replies apart from one guy who who then never showed up on Skype so yes I'm paranoid now that I'm on a blacklist.

[Troglodyte]

[sojusucks]

A hardworking recruiter with connections can work around any list.

[Troglodyte]

True. I think that many schools don't even look at those lists. The only big concern for the recruiter is whether or not you'll leave before he gets paid. Many will find you a job even if you outright tell them that you fought with your last employer and did a midnight run.

The main reasons that people don't find jobs are:
-documents aren't in hand
-the job that they are looking for is too specific (particular neighborhood, particular hours, particular age group)
-lack of a nice photo

[UlsanBoy]

no i got on pretty well in my last school. I've broadened my search now outside Seoul and more offers are coming in.

[young_clinton]

[asdfghjkl]

I don't think a lot of recruiters, especially for hagwons, want to deal with people who aren't new or at least stupid. I couldn't get past the interviews with a lot of hagwons. Albeit I was in the US, but I had all of my documents ready, a few years of experience, and no preference about location. I don't know why I had it in me to work at one to begin with. I ended up applying for a rural public school job, which I was offered and accepted the next day. I've been at it for a month now, and they actually appreciate that I'm not fresh off the boat.

Anytime I'd ask for more than 2.1 or for them to revise the contract to include things like working hours, I'd get passed over. A lot of hagwons expect longer hours these days, are less willing to pay airfare upfront, and want employees to wear a tie. I'm sure there are still some alright deals out there, but they probably seem a lot better if you're new.