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gojulie
Joined: 08 Jun 2007
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 Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:06 am Post subject: Can you start this week? |
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Hi,
I have a question for the forum veterans. I have been trying to find a decent job for a while, but it seems that they all want me to start in a matter of days. As I'm sitting in Canada, I keep losing job offers because I can't just "drop everything" and fly over in less than a week, some have wanted me to come over in less than 2-3 days.
Am I being picky or is this just normal. I have had a few hagwons tell me that they "can't wait a week." I mean, doesn't it take a few weeks to straighten out the visas, etc?
Also, if anyone needs a great co-worker at their hagwon, feel free to PM me (shameless promotion).
Thanks! |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:09 am Post subject: |
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| It's normal for hagwons, though you should be careful because there is a chance someone pulled a runner. And if they pulled a runner, there is a good chance it was because of the school. Still, it's just a sign to look at it more closely. They really, really haven't understood the word "planning" yet. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:11 am Post subject: Re: Can you start this week? |
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| gojulie wrote: |
Hi,
I have a question for the forum veterans. I have been trying to find a decent job for a while, but it seems that they all want me to start in a matter of days. As I'm sitting in Canada, I keep losing job offers because I can't just "drop everything" and fly over in less than a week, some have wanted me to come over in less than 2-3 days.
Am I being picky or is this just normal. I have had a few hagwons tell me that they "can't wait a week." I mean, doesn't it take a few weeks to straighten out the visas, etc?
Also, if anyone needs a great co-worker at their hagwon, feel free to PM me (shameless promotion).
Thanks! |
Job offers do NOT disappear in a few days or even a week. There are NOT enough teachers to fill the vacancies.
Your recruiter wants you on the plane as fast as they can so that:
A) they can get paid sooner
B) you won't find a better deal or learn anything about the crapwon before it's to late.
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 and get you on the plane.
Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned.
Use the recruiters for what they are - AN INTRODUCTION. 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.
Last edited by ttompatz on Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:13 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:12 am Post subject: |
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| Remember that Immigration is getting stricter and that applying to getting work will take about 2 months. |
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n�fara
Joined: 14 Jul 2007
Location: The Island
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:17 am Post subject: |
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two months?
That seems like quite a while, unless that figure is also including your own research?
How are they getting stricter? Just wondering  |
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gojulie
Joined: 08 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Can you start this week? |
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"Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned."
Wow, thank you. You remind me of Mad-Eye Moody, for those you have read Harry Potter........ "CONSTANT VIGILANCE! |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:19 am Post subject: |
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| n�fara wrote: |
two months?
That seems like quite a while, unless that figure is also including your own research?
How are they getting stricter? Just wondering |
They are starting to require the hagwon to actually verify the degree, not to mention you have to have the actual degree and transcripts like before. |
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n�fara
Joined: 14 Jul 2007
Location: The Island
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:22 am Post subject: |
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Ah, ok, that makes sense.
Although, if you were already thinking about teaching in Korea it would be better if you already had sealed copies of your transcript and whatnot. I hate depending on the mail or a courier.
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:23 am Post subject: |
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| n�fara wrote: |
Ah, ok, that makes sense.
Although, if you were already thinking about teaching in Korea it would be better if you already had sealed copies of your transcript and whatnot. I hate depending on the mail or a courier.
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Yes, but you also have to be a little careful of that. Sometimes the immi guy/girl wants them sent directly from the school. Also, they become invalid in Immi's eyes after 3 months. |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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| It seems odd to me that immigration is getting tighter, making it somewhat of a pain, while jobs go unfilled. |
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cbclark4
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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You should have your Transcripts and Diploma in hand before applying.
DUE DILLIGENCE cannot be overstated.
You might also want to get your criminal background check in hand.
Then you're looking at about a two week process.
Anyone that needs you within a few days is a risk.
The primary risk being that you would arrive without the E2 visa.
They could rip you off big time from there in any number of scenarios already stated elsewhere on this board. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Can you start this week? |
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| gojulie wrote: |
"Do your own DUE DILLIGENCE in regards to the school or get burned."
Wow, thank you. You remind me of Mad-Eye Moody, for those you have read Harry Potter........ "CONSTANT VIGILANCE! |
Due diligence is a term used for a number of concepts involving either the performance of an investigation of a business or person, or the performance of an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_dilligence |
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