Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cyna]

I have the possibility of teaching in Korea. However, first I will be going through a recruiter, and second this will be my first time teaching in Korea or anywhere. Any suggestions?

[em]

Cyna,

I'm hardly a seasoned vet, I am not even in Korea yet. However, I have gotten myself a job after only three weeks of hunting. In fact, I have received several job offers. I also contacted a recruiter and he has only contacted me once with a job - one that I wasn't interested in, incidentally. I decided that I wanted to teach on Jeju-do, make a minimum of 1.9 and not work split shifts. Bingo. Got it. I negotiated with the director myself and therefore managed to get a real sense of what kind of person he is. I spoke to three teachers, past and present, and had someone on the island research the school for me. I now have much more knowledge of the situation into which I am headed than I would have had if I had gone through a recruiter. It may not be perfect but I think that I have minimized the possibilities of having my expectations disappointed by doing things myself. My decision to avoid recruiters was based on advice that I got through this board. Do a search on recruiters and read some of the posts. You might do better to find a job yourself. It costs you nothing but some time and knowledge, the latter of which you can get from this forum.

Good luck!

[Mody Ba]

Really, all it takes to teach (legally) here is a bachelors degree(in anything).So I hate to rain on your parades,newbies, but 'most anyone can get a job here.The real old trickeroo is getting a GOOD job!
EM, at least you did some research before planning to come,but I hope none of those people you mentioned lied to you.

[em]

Mody Ba,

Believe me, the possibility of being lied to has more than occurred to me throughout this whole process. My paranoia (and I call it that because of it's extremity) was responsible for my chickening out back in February when I first considered taking the plunge. I had a job offer but worried about foreign teachers lying, directors lying, and ending up somehow in a hellish position. I finally realized that there are no guarantees and I just have to take the plunge.

Having said that, my advice for Cyna stands. Without knowing how my own situation is going to play out I've read many a post that warns against recruiters. And I feel better making my own mistakes. If it sucks when I get over there, it's not because I left my fate in someone else's hands.

[Mody Ba]

I certainly agree with EM on the issue of avoiding recruiters.Always good advice. Just make sure, when you come over,you have at least one option in case it does not work out, and have enough spare cash or a credit card to get out of this place if you have to...do not get stuck here or anywhere else.Good luck.

[yakey]

Cyna,

If I were you, I would pay for my plane ride and come in on a tourist visa, then walk and subway ride around Seoul testing the waters with everybody from recruiters, schools, colleges, universities, etc. By being here in the flesh you have a lot more power to physically see your apartment, your co-workers, etc. And you're worth more because you're here. You have a lot more bargaining power that way with salary. A lot of it too is about your frame of mind. Come in thinking positive and do your best to make something good happen. Good luck!

[Anda]

There are good and bad recuiters along with good and bad schools plus some locations here are not such great places to be.

So Cyna if you want real advise then name the place you are being offered work at plus your recruiter along with the location that your school is at.

Quite a number have an okay time with a recuiter, but just keep in mind that you are normally on your own, once you get here.

[cyna]

Hey guys,
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/aboutus.htm
Ok the name of the recruiter is Footprints Recruiting but they did not give me a city name.

[rapier]

"job offer possibly"- change that to "Job offer definitely, anywhere you want to work, flying over on any airline you choose". Its all too easy, don't lose any sleep over it matey.