Korean Horizons any good?

[jq]

Hey guys,

So I ran across this recruiting agency for public schools. I really want to get into a public school setting but I'm really not sure where to look or how to apply.

I found this agency through Dave's ESL cafe and I was wondering if you all had any tips or information on them. They're called Korean Horizons, they're supposed to be a UK owned operation in Korea.

Thank you!

[vw08]

I worked with Korean Horizons as one of my recruiters when I was applying for public school jobs.  I found Alistair to be very prompt with communication and willing to go the extra mile to answer any questions or address concerns I had.  If I remember correctly, he works directly with schools, many in/around Busan, so you can know exactly where you are being placed rather than applying for EPIK or another program and not finding out where you are going to be until your orientation in Korea.  Although I ended up taking a job offered by another recruiter, I had a positive experience working with Korean Horizons.

I would recommend working more than one recruiter.  Different recruiters offer different positions, both on the public school and hogwon sides.  In order to maximize the opportunities you will see or be offered, work with at least two recruiters.

At this time of year, applications for fall public school positions are mostly closed, but there are still probably individual schools that are still looking for teachers.  Depending on what stage your background check and other paperwork is in, you might not be ready until the fall.  There are almost always a few positions that start at odd times, like October and November and this could work in your favor.

Also, there are many thread already about which recruiters people have had good or bad experiences with.  Do a search for "recruiters" and you can get the names of other recruiters as well as reviews of them.

[tumnamen]

A number of my fellow NETs came here through Korean Horizons, more specifically Alistair was their recruiter.  I came through Teach Away, but from what I have heard from them I wish I had come through Korean Horizons.  They seemed much more prepared than I felt.  All of them have had nothing but positive things to say about the agency and about Alistair.  We were all placed in the IMOE program which is strictly the Incheon area and are loving it.

[marksurendra]

Hi, I am a recent user of Korean Horizons (1.5 months in).  Korean Horizons is ran by Alistair and he is a great individual.  He will help you with your placement and does not push you into anything you do not want.  He will be happy to give you options based on what you are looking for.  He personally picked me up (and the other recruits) personally from the airport.  During orientation, he showed that he had a strong, personal relationship with BMOE (where I am).  Indeed ask him any questions and he will tell you anything.

I can say Korea Horizons is a 10/10 for recruiting.

[optimusyale]

I applied to them and got nothing from them....but they are legit. I also used GSMC which got me my currently awesome job

[aarolye]

I think it depends on Alistair's mood and assumption of you.

With me, he was very condescending for some reason. He also gave me the wrong information and kept insisting he was right, even though the Korean immigration told me otherwise. It wasn't until the actual day I started my job that he finally realized he was mistaken this whole time and I didn't need to go get a new visa. I have an F4 visa so I don't need to reapply for a visa, yet he kept saying I had to despite me stating that I had an F4.

I asked him questions to be thorough but he would reply by asking why I would ask such things. He seemed to be frustrated a lot on the phone and did not want to be bothered. I've heard how great he was and made sure you were okay even months after starting work. I haven't heard from him since a month I began my job.

If you choose them, hope that he's not in a condescending mood!

[saffainsoko]

You'll het mixed reviews for most recruiters. Keep in mind that their attitude will also be dependent on the time of year that you apply - it's basically the difference between being a valuable recruit or just another recruit. The recruiters that were recommended to me where Teach Korea, Korean Horizons and GMSC Vancouver. I went with GMSC as they specialise in GEPIK contracts and they were able to get me a public school placement outside of the main intake period. So based on my experience, they come highly recommended. I liked that their correspondence wasn't just the standard stuff that they forward to all their recruits. I got a phonecall immediately after submitting my resume, and from then on all communication was personalised. Many recruiters will insist that for public school placements, you can only start at the beginning of a new semester, but this is not true. Good luck!

[cheezsteakwit]

I highly recommend Korean Horizons.  Alistair really came through for me this year.

For some reason, my efforts to get into EPIK through another recruiter didn't pan out and I knew I wanted to work in a Public school my first year.  Alistair helped make that happen.   I'm not in EPIK, but I don't care.  I have a public school job with identical pay and benefits.

Alistair did a practice Skype interview with me and made some helpful suggestions before I got the position.  He also picked us up from the airport, took us out to dinner the first night in Incheon.  Korean Horizons also gave us many useful books on Korea.  I met a lot of cool people at the orientation and that also made my transition much easier.

I haven't spoken to Alistair since I left for orientation, but then again, I haven't NEEDED to.  Things have gone very smoothly.  I only interacted with 2 recruiters prior to coming to Korea, but Alistair @ Korean Horizons was WAY more helpful than my 1st recruiter.
 

[PowerTeach]

Definitely legit. I was actually informed today that I didn't get the position I applied for, but that was the Education office's decision, and had nothing to do with Alistair or his company. I suppose if I had been more willing to accept other locations I may have gotten an offer, but that's life. Excellent recruiter if you're looking for public school positions, in any case.

[83travelinman]

Are you serious? Korean Horizons is AMAZING. Alistair was very, very helpful. I sent him my rough form application, talked to him by phone the next day. After that, he gave me helpful tips for the interview process with the Education Officer in my region. He was really, really informative. Once I got the position, he would check in with me at least once a week if I didn't. He was prompt and polite.
I am only in my second week of my job, I know I could count on him to help me out if I needed it. I am pretty sure, from what I have heard, that he is happy to help with anything throught your stay here.
Use his agency, you'll have a better application experience with less "standing in the dark."

[lysekend]

Does Korean Horizons only do public school placings, or do they do hagwons, as well.  I've heard it both ways and I would love to work with them if they do hagwons.

[vw08]

Does Korean Horizons only do public school placings, or do they do hagwons, as well.  I've heard it both ways and I would love to work with them if they do hagwons.

I checked their website and it says that they place teachers in public schools, no mention of hogwons.  It couldn't hurt to send them an e-mail and ask.

[marksurendra]

I have never asked Alistair personally, but it appears he only helps Public Schools, and specifically, those in and around Busan.  It never hurts to shoot him an email.

[vossboss86]

He only does public school, no hagwons.

He's a good recruiter, but if he doesn't like you or your attitude he'll dump you and move on.  You gotta have you sh!t together when dealing with him.  I liked that about him.  He wouldn't work with friend of a friend because she was "unprofessional."  Just a warning.  (He's a bit passive aggressive at times, too.)

Unlike Korean recruiters he'll keep you in the loop of every single detail.  The last two weeks before you leave he'll want to hear daily updates.  He'll also call or contact you if anything changes.  I also liked his attention to details.

All in all, he's totally legit and good to work with as long as you can pull your weight and be somewhat responsible in the process.

[teacher1066]

Yeah Alistair is beyond great! He works directly with the schools and education offices which other recruiters don't seem to do. I know that he recruits for areas other than Busan. I went through him and I'm in Incheon. Worth dropping him a line to find out what areas he can offer you! He will continue to assist you throughout your contract if you find yourself struggling with anything...unlike EPIK.

[lysekend]

FWIW, I emailed Alistair and he confirmed that KH only does public school placements.

[mjq21]

He only works with public schools. He is a nice guy and will try to help you out in any way. I also liked the fact that he picked me and another recruit up from the airport. He was very personable. He will also provide you with a some books on Korean culture, teaching esl, and a helpful travel dictionary. He will answer any question that you have. He is an honest person and that is something that I like in people.

[newgirl42]

I just started my public school job, which I got through Alistair.  I'd definitely recommend KH to anyone!

[artwalknoon]

I reached out to a few recruiters before settling on one and Korean Horizons was definitely the best. Alistair was my recruiter and he was a great help. We exchanged emails back and forth several times a week for the better part of 3 months and he was always straight forward and prompt. Alistair can sometimes seem curt in attitude but I had no problem with him. We emailed, spoke by phone and skype and he was professional and consistent every time.

He picked up all us new recruits at the airport and provided us with hotel rooms for 2 days prior to orientation. Korean Horizons also provided each of us with guides to Korea, teaching, and other resources. Since teaching for a few months now I have emailed him on occasion with some questions and his replies have again been useful and quick. I can't speak for other recruiting agencies because I didn't get very deep into the process with them, but Korean Horizons was fantastic all around.

[Modernist]

I'd say Korean Horizons is basically the gold standard for recruiters. I talked to half a dozen others but they were by far the most responsive, straightforward and helpful. Alistair doesn't BS you at all. He tells you where the schools are, specifically, and exactly what the contract will and will not include. I've been at my school for more than a year now and everything he said in his posts and emails has been accurate through the whole experience. He's HIGHLY recommended. But as others say, you'd better be ready to go before you talk to him. He's looking for people that are on top of things and if you're not, or seem like a mess, he'll probably drop you.