Korean Job Discussion Forums

Katchafire · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:26 pm Post subject: Accepting a job while in Korea

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year.

I would just like to clarify whether or not, if you accept a job while already in Korea, the new school is supposed to pay you the equivalent of an air ticket?
I have heard different answers - so a definate would be great.

Thanks very much

G

Satin · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Location: Texas

Have the contract state that the school will pay for your visa run and that you will receive return airfare home at the end of your contract.

If you're in Korea already, the airfare that got you there, is your expense. Shocked

stevenisi · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

It totally depends on what you negotiate with the school. There is no fast rule about it. I think alot of schools would pay for your airfare to Korea because that's what they would have had to do in any event.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Gordana - I'm here looking for work and no one I've talked with is reimbursing airfare or negotiating contracts in any way. FYI.

Edit: no one is paying for visa runs, either. These are camp jobs I'm talking about, btw, not year-long contract positions.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I doubt that you'll find a place willing to re-imburse your costs for coming to Korea, but you should have no problem finding a place that will pay for a visa trip and then a plane ticket home at the completion of the contract.

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=22221

I've never had much luck with negotiating things either. If they don't want to pay even these basic costs, just keep looking. There's nothing to negotiate....they are cheapskates and you are probably better off not working for them.

I hope this helps.

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

I came here on my own coin, too, and my school only paid for the visa run to Osaka.

lover.asian · Joined: 30 Jan 2006

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

You should build in the "lost" airfare, round trip, to any salary you consider. Then decide if you think it's a deal or not.

Your potential employer knows they're not forking out airfare, visa run (if you're F status) and possible recruiter fee, but they'll usually not put these things in front of you.

Point out their savings as justification for what you're asking and you shouldn't get a wholly negative response from a serious employer... they get antsy about building in anything for a recruiter fee though in my experience.

Good luck.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Why would places be willing to cough up airfare,sight unseen, but not pay for the visa run for a teacher they have right in front of them? Makes no sense.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Your guess is as good as mine... a lot of things don't make immediate sense from our perspective.

My guess is that when they pay to get a newbie........they feel they own him/her and have a better chance of getting a subservient employee.

If you are here on your own coin, they see that you are not scared to do things on your own....so maybe you are more apt to cause problems.

This is just speculation, I'm sure each hagwan director has their own reasons. It may also be just the act tough routine, they don't want you to think you can just get whatever you ask for.

Who knows what goes through the average hagwan chief's brain?

good luck