Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CustomX]

"Hey ______,

I'm an American from Texas and I've been here in Korea
for four years. Since you're a fellow American and
since I was once really screwed over badly when I was
a young pup like you trying to go overseas to teach,
I'm going to help you - if you want the help. If not,
then go do your thing your way and you've got a 50-50
chance of being screwed by one of these slick Korean
recruitment companies and schools that don't give a
rat's ass about you.

Here's what you do:
1. You buy you're own round-trip ticket to America.
I'll meet you and I'll get you a place to stay for
your first week or two.
2. I'll point you in the right direction to get a job.
Screw the hogwan schools that are making you teach 30
hours a week like a dog. I can get you a nice
college/university job, you'll teach maybe 18 hours
and you'll have loads of time to just enjoy yourself,
live well, work out, go to movies, travel in Korea or
whatever.
3. After that, the school will have to pay your way to
Japan for a visa. You'll take a one-day visa trip to
Japan, then come back and start your new career. I can
tel you how to arrange al of that and get you hooked
up with the best situation.
- I do this because someone once helped me, and I
believe I'm doing a good thing. So take my help or
never write to me. It doesn't matter to me. Your
choice."


I posted my resume on either Dave's or Pusanweb and I just got this email from this random guy. Has anyone ever received a similar type of message? I figure I'll write the guy back to find more information, but its hard to tell if this guy is being sincere or theres something hidden here that I am missing.

[Return Jones]

Does it sound legit? Any crap like that ending up in my mailbox gets deleted without hesitation. If it's too good to be true, then it probably is.

[CustomX]

I can't tell if its legit or not. Thats the thing about email, you dont really know who is sending it. I sent an email asking for more information. I explained that I found it hard to believe that a University would be willing to hire someone like myself with no teaching experience. Maybe this guy knows something that I dont. I've been reading this message board for a good 4 months and have always assumed that Universities want someone with at least 2+ years experience and/or certifications. If the guy emails me back I'll post his message.

[chronicpride]

Look at it this way, if he's going through resumes on the job wanted boards of Korean job sites, and emailing people, and not in it for the any kind of kickback, then I'd worry.

He's doing what any western recruiter would say, 'I've been there, man', 'hey, I'm casual and laidback, you can trust me.', blah-blah.

At the heart of it, is that he's a recruiter, no matter what how he sugarcoats himself. The same rules apply for qualifying him, as any other recruiter.

If he floats you some crap about him not getting any commish, take a pass. I'd rather deal with someone that is honest and forthcoming about what they are doing, not poorly disguising their intent, and hoping that you are stupid and gullible. His competition is mostly Koreans, who cannot relate to teachers and western mindsets. This is how he is pitching his services above the competition.

No sane, charitable person would get their hands dirty into the ultra-dirty and morally corrupt business of recruiting. I did it for 1.5 years and it slowly ate away at my soul.

[kprrok]

I would say it's pure BS. The part about screwing the Hagwon system, which is a good idea by the way, and going for a cushy Uni job is bogus. Most unis I've heard from require a Masters and teaching experience. And if they don't, they're probably not that good in the first place.

KPRROK

[CustomX]

hahaha...read his reply:

"Listen ____,

Sometimes it's who you know and where you are that
makes the difference. I can hook you up with some
colleges and unis. and you just take your documents
and cruise in there and I can almost guarantee you'll
have a sharp job in a week. Being here is a super
plus, because they don't have to guess about whether
you're coming or not. Also, being handsome is a big
deal here. So if you're a halfway good-looking human
being, that's a plus, too. One thing you DON'T do is
give your documents to anyone, not me or anyone! Keep
that like you'd guard your life because that's your
ticket to the show here, and if you give it to a
recruiter or someone and don't take their job, they
might use your stuff to forge a document for someone
or just throw it away and screw you. Watch your back
man because these school owners and recruiters are in
it for the money - they want you to be their mule.
Don't do it. Get a nice job where people will treat
you good. Take care man"


So all i have to do is walk in and i have the job? He's basically trying to say that if i trust him and meet up with him that I'll get a great job. I do agree that sometimes who you know is important, but this sounds like total BS. I cant imagine any respectable university hiring someone without experience. What do you think? Should I ask for more info just for fun and see if i can get some more BS outta him?

[chronicpride]

He is being straight with you on some of the advice. But, in this racket, many teachers are crooked, many directors are crooked, and many recruiters are crooked, yet everyone wants to come off as being outside of that stereotype. It's a tired cliche. If a recruiter was to be honest and say to me that the school pays them, so of course, they look out for the best interests of the school, before the teacher, and hopefully, they can line you up with something that they have, but only if you fit the bill in the looks departments (not fat, under 35, preferably North American), then I'd be more inclined to hang on to that recruiter for the fact that they had the balls to be honest about themselves and how the industry worked, rather than the 50 guys that come at you from all different angles, but holding all the same cards and playing the same game.

[travelinbri]

No reason not to meet the guy, but I would do it in a public place after you have your own hotel room, dont count on him for anything, just one omre connection that mya or may not pan out...

[hellofaniceguy]

What is wrong with asking this person straight out...what is your ulterior motive for wanting to help me or others. Money? Finders fee? Or do you just really want to help someone out from the goodness of your heart?

[tomwaits]

My guess is you arrive and he says..."Gee I just placed 5 teachers in Colleges this week so in the meantime maybe you can think about....." said crappy job.

He might even get your airfare back as part of his commission. Anyway would Unis deal only with a foreign agent? Impossible I think.

[canuckistan]

Cruise right into those colleges/unis and nail a job for someone for free hey? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Sorry, but this one's funny...

[CustomX]

i asked the guy for specifics like email address of people he's helped, the names of the universities, the name of the univ. he works for, etc.. he has yet to reply. sounds like a bunch of bs

[mindmetoo]

"Before you can get your university job, all you have to do is sit in on this little seminar for Amway..."

[CustomX]

ok guys, heres his reply:

"Listen,

You're either going to trust me or you're not. If you
trust, I'll open the doors for you and all you have to
do is walk in. If not, then don't bother. I'm not
going to give you one shred of anything until you get
your ass over here, because until you do, you're just
a bunch of talk, too. I can back up everthing that I'm
telling you. But I'm not giving anybody sitting in
their apartment in Seattle shit because this is gold
I'm offering you and I don't just offer it every day.
You caught me on a good day. So take it or leave it.
The thing you've gotta do is buy a ticket and get over
here. I'll take care of the rest. And, shit, if you
get here and decide to go on your own, then you just
give me the finger and go to schools on your own.
Remember pal, unlike other people, I get nothing - not
shit - for helping you. So in my estimation that ought
to say something to you."


Maybe he is genuine? He says he doesnt get anything, so hmmm....anyone not in Korea want to test this guy out and let me know how it goes? hahaha

[travelinbri]

Talking is nonsense, anyone in their right mind would realize that this could look suspicious... if he is so defensive, that is nto a good sign.