|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
WanderingDolphin
Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:16 am Post subject: How does one know what to believe about recruiters/schools? |
 |
|
Hi all. I read numerous posts in these forums that say both good and bad things about recruiters and individual schools as well. I'm in the process of trying to find a job in Korea so I'm doing my research.
I wonder, though, how we are supposed to know what to believe. Sometimes I'll see threads that say positive things about a certain recruiter (or school), which makes me wonder if the recruiters (or schools) themselves are the ones doing most of those postings (i.e. posing as a current teacher who has had a "wonderful" experience with them and "they are highly recommended," and "they always pay me on time" and "they gave me a great apartment," etc. etc. etc.).
Not sure if I explained myself enough, but hopefully you get the idea. Any advice? Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
alwaysfaithless
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Not sure how one can distinquish between a fake poster and a teacher here on these posts. Your best bet is to go with a hagwon chain; one that has been around for at least 10 years and have many foreign teachers working at their campus. Also, recruiters will never tell you the complete truth about the school they are recommending you to so it is up to you to ask questions....usually after receiving the contract. Search the net for the most reputable schools in Korea....Avalon (in Bundang) and Pagoda (Seoul/Busan) are both relatively fair to their foreign teachers. They are large chains and have always paid me on time. Stay away from small hagwons, those that only have one or two campuses, and those that are relatively new. They are the ones that will either hold back your pay, or go out of business. Not all of course, but just to be on the safe side I would keep my eye out on the larger chains . Their contracts are usually standard and usually follow Korean labour laws --although there are some chains that will try to screw you over. Unfortunelty it does happen!!! Oh, and I am not a recruiter/hagwon employer so you can trust me......hee hee.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:23 pm Post subject: Re: How does one know what to believe about recruiters/schoo |
|
|
| WanderingDolphin wrote: |
Hi all. I read numerous posts in these forums that say both good and bad things about recruiters and individual schools as well. I'm in the process of trying to find a job in Korea so I'm doing my research.
I wonder, though, how we are supposed to know what to believe. Sometimes I'll see threads that say positive things about a certain recruiter (or school), which makes me wonder if the recruiters (or schools) themselves are the ones doing most of those postings (i.e. posing as a current teacher who has had a "wonderful" experience with them and "they are highly recommended," and "they always pay me on time" and "they gave me a great apartment," etc. etc. etc.).
Not sure if I explained myself enough, but hopefully you get the idea. Any advice? Thanks. |
This is an EASY question to answer.
DON'T believe any of them.
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 to = walk away now.
Accept NO EXCUSES for any reason.
The hard questions to ask AND get acceptable answers to ARE:
-What are the hours? (start time / stop time / breaks).
-How many classes per day, week, month? NOT hour many hours per month. 30 classroom hours can mean anything from 1350 -1800 minutes per week standing in front of the class. The difference can be up to 7.5 HOURS in front of the class EACH WEEK.
-Do they ALWAYS pay on time? (no=red flag 1)
-Do they pay at the end of your month or do they have a hold back period (5-10 days after your month end) to prevent runners? (no=red flag 2)
-Do they really pay overtime or avoid it with creative book keeping? (no=red flag 3)
-Do you get credit for classes on the national holidays or do you get the day off but still have to work your 120 hours before you get overtime? (no=red flag 4)
-Do they have national medical (with the little booklet)? (no=red flag 5)
-Do they pay into pension? (no=red flag 6) These two are legal requirements (not optional) and are usually NOT complied with (to your detriment).
-What about the holidays? 10 or more WORKING days? (legal requirement here) (no=red flag 7)
-When and how do you get your holidays?
-What extra stuff do you really have to do - mentioned or not in the contract.
-Then consider the quality of life issues - things that are important to you that aren't mentioned here (housing, furnishings, THE BATHROOM, access to recreational facilities, shopping, banking).
Do they take additional deposits in addition to the delay in payday? (yes=red flag Cool
I would also like to mention for comparison:
My co-worker who is a green as grass, fresh of the boat newbie gets a base salary of 2.1 mil per month for 22 classes of 40 minutes each.
She gets 20k won for each 40 minute class over 22 per week and works from 8:30-4:30 each day. She usually averages 26 classes per week and her salary works out to about 2.5 mil per month.
She also gets (as required by law and ignored by most hakwons) NHIC medical, pension, severance, non-shared housing, airfare and 4 weeks annual PAID vacation.
Do NOT be in a rush to sign anything. There is NO rush or urgency in spite of what your recruiter may tell you.
Take your time. The job (or more likely a better one) will still be there next week and probably next month too.
There are 30,000 openings in Korea each year and only about 25,000 applicants to fill those jobs each year.
I hope that has been of some help.
.
6666
Last edited by ttompatz on Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:17 pm; edited 5 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dukey77777
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Chungcheongbuk-do
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks ttompatz...I'm actively searching for a job too - I'll probably go through SMOE or GEPIK but you've been a big help. Not just here, but I've seen many of your other posts as well. You definitely know your sh*t. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
