Saturday's Super 7 ** 7 Lies Hakwon Recruiters Tell

note: I have planned to start a weekly series. Every Saturday I will compose a list of Korea's Super 7. This is more or less a way for me to share some insight that I have gained on my almost 3 years here. I really want to share my thoughts on what I have really learned being here. I don't want that to be the main focus of this blog, but a lot of hits come from people that are researching job opportunities in Korea. I know that before I came to Korea, I read tons of blogs and still follow a lot of those blogs today. If you are going to live in a foreign country, you should do so with eyes wide open. My lists will not be comprehensive. I am sure that I will have additions that many Korean expats would argue with and will probably leave out some that should have been added.


If you take a look at the job listing at any of the major sites for English teaching in Korea, you will see a distinct pattern. There are not that many individual schools advertising anymore. Recruiters flood these online sites with their advertising. For example check out Dave's ESL Cafe (I could write more about this site with a popular forum section, love it or hate it), Hi Teacher, WorkNPlay, ESL Teachers Board, and ESL Pages to name a few.


For a little disclaimer not every Korean Academy recruiter is liar, but I have come across to many of them that will say what you want to hear or what they need to say to get you to take the job that they have listed. I tend to put them in the same category as a real estate agent (which I was for a short time). I know that there are some reputable companies that I would deal with, but will not list any here. I really think you have to go on a case by case basis, and don't be scared to call BS on anything they tell you. Recruiters only get paid if you come to Korea and take the job. I think the going rate is about 1.2 million won per teacher. This figure may have risen with the new VISA regulations and depending on where the school is located. I think recruiters are a great asset for the newbie teacher, but if you have been in Korea or have experience teaching I would look into other ways to secure a job.


7 Lies They Tell:


1. "There are not that many schools hiring right now. "
No way, Schools in Korea are always hiring. This basically means that he does not have the exact job you are looking for and wants you to take a job that he is currently trying to place.

2. "I can only get you 2.0-2.1 even if you have experience."
No, I don't think so. Check around before you fall for this line. He is working with some schools that are only willing to pay this amount. He may tell you that you don't have experience in Korea or that this is the going rate.

3. "This is the best school that I work with."
I must be the luckiest guy in the world. Every time I have spoken with a recruiter, I have heard these words. Don't take their word for it. Do your research. Speak or email a couple of the current teachers or better yet contact a former teacher. I prefer a former teacher as they will be more honest. Every school that a recruiter works with is his best school. Don't fall for this line.

4. "Your apartment will be really nice and close to your school"
Really? and how would you know that! 99% of the recruiters I have worked with never visit the apartments that the schools use. Again, ask the current or former teachers.


5. "I only work with fair and honest schools"
Haha! This one really makes be laugh. Your average recruiter only cares about one thing from the school. MONEY! They are not going to check and see if the school is really going to pay you on time and give you everything that is promised. You can ask him, "How many teachers have you placed at this school?" If he has a relationship with the owner, then he has placed more that just you.


6. "There are no schools available in (insert desired location)."
AH no. This is the same as before. He currently does not have any schools that he works with that are hiring in that area. He may present it to you in a way that leads you to believe that there are no schools in a certain that are looking for teachers. Again, he wants you to take a job that he has listed.


7. "I will stay in contact with you and help you with any problems you may have"
No No No Hell No. If you think that your recruiter is going to come down and help you with a problem after he as already made his money, you will be very disappointed. Most recruiters make this promise. I have never heard of a recruiter stepping in and helping a teacher out. Once they have their fee, you will probably never hear from them again.



If you are currently using a recruiter or plan on using one the future, the best advice I have is to ask questions and do your research. I would of course talk to a current teacher or former teacher from the school. You can even research the recruiter if you like along with the school that is offering you the job. I came up with a few more lines that they throw out, but I think the above are the most popular.


Next Saturday's topic The 7 types of people you will likely meet in Korea