Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peterlewis107]

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to get a job in Korea - Seoul specifically - and am having trouble finding a recruiter that I'm not 100% comfortable with. At the moment I ahev registered with worknplay and gmsc, they have been calling me and arranging phone interviews. Has anyone dealt with these recruiters before?

I'm also getting some interest from YBM - But I have found their name on a gray list so am a bitr worried they are just about the profit.

Basically guys I need help with finding an honest and trustworthy recruiter or school I can apply to.

I had a school through worknplay and it sounded great - when the current teacher spoke to me (he was also from the UK) he reassured me I would love it. It all seeemed to move too fast, I didn't even talk to the school director or head teacher. He gave me his email if i wanted to ask anymore questions. So I emailed him to ask about the school in more detail and voiced my concerns about the horror storie I had heard. He also mentioned in our conversation he had a new job and I would be his replacement; I asked the school didn't find a replacement teacher would he have to wait until they do (I felt he was praising me to get me to accept it, I felt pressured to be honest). He replied simply stating the job position had been filled. When I told my recruiter they said that they had not been informed the job was filled.

Did I over step the mark? Is it usual the interviews to be so informal and everything to move so quickly? If a school isn't happy with my questions and concerns does that indicate there must be something going on there? Finally it's an unwritten rule that all TEFL teachers are in the same boat and will help each other out and tell them if a job/school is not up to standards, right? I 've been advised to talk to a current teacher and an ex teacher to get an informal reference, thats why I emailed that teacher when he wasn't working.

Anyway a bit long winded - if you've managed to read to the end I appreciate it and would appreciate some advice.

Thanks

Pete

[cj1976]

I used a British company called Flying Cows Consulting. If you take the recruiter gamble, it helps to have one in your home country with English speaking people. The girl who dealt with me is a former teacher, so at least she knows what to look for in a job offer.

[RachaelRoo]

Why would it bother you if a school is "just worried about profit"? They are a private, for profit business. What, you want to find a school where the director is in it because he cares about sharing English with children? Ha!
My school is all about the profit, and it's great! The school does what it takes to grow and get students. My paychecks are on time and paid in full and I get lots of overtime hours. Plus, because my director cares about long term profit, he is very good to his foreign staff because he wants them - well, most of them - to stick around for another year.
Furthermore, YOU should be in this just for profit. That doesn't mean be a bad teacher or a dick to the kids, and by all means, enjoy your stay in Korea, but your director will appreciate it if you understand how the business works - for profit, not charity. You work there to make money. The school is operated to make money. The kids attend the school because the parents hope that what they learn will translate into them making money one day.
Sorry about the rant, but you should know what you are getting into.

Conerning your question, have you considered coming here to find a job? You could check out the size of the school, the apartment, and talk to the other foreign teachers in person before you sign anything committal. The demand for foreign teachers is higher than the supply, and you may be able to negotiate airfare reimbursement. If you schedule interviews from wherever you are before you come here, you should have no problem finding a job within a few days. Plus, you'll get a free, albeit short, trip to Japan this way.

[peterlewis107]

Cheers everyone,

SOme useful advice, I understand it's just a business but I would like to find a school that doesn't just put a whole group of mixed levels togther just to make numbers. It's not fair on anyone.

Now I know everyone is willing to help I'll wait for a job offer and ask you guys if you've heard of the school and area so you can give me advice.
On that note anyone heard of the area bundang?

Also if I want regular teaching hours such as 9-5pm will I have to settle for Kids? I don't mind teenagers - but kids you have to be super happy and singa long, etc.

Pete

[Homer]

ok...

You most likely will not get 9-5pm even if you teach kids unless you end up teaching in a Public School or a University.

Why?

Most Hakwons are cram schools, hence they operate after school or work hours. This means that for kids you get some mornings if you have kindie and then usually afternoon to early evening classes.

With adults, you get very early morning, day off and then back to work late afternoon until early evening (9-10pm).

This is unless you teach Public School or University.


As for the profit oriented schools, it is true most Hakwons are run with that goal in mind. Then again, as it was said, they are private schools and hence aim at making a profit.
Where I get off is when some teachers say they should be here for profit as well. It is normal to want to earn a decent living but these are teaching positions, not stock trading positions.
You can only do yourself credit by acting like a professional.