Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kurtz]

I'm currently in a hangwon, not a bad one but some problems communicating with my boss, but it's pretty good overall.
I came over cold so had no power to say what I am worth. After a years experience, am I worth more than 2.1 per month? should I go for more money, or to expect more in another hagwon or school if I choose to change?
I get 200,000 per month extra doing privates so I can save OK but it's not legit and would rather earn more legally rather than doing it on the sly, I don't have to do the privates but the money comes in handy.

[sock]

Why wouldn`t you try to negotiate for more money? The worst anyone can say is no, and then you haven`t lost anything.

You`ve gotta start thinking Korean and squeeze, squeeze, squeeze for money. Until you hit blood.

[jlb]

You don't really lose anything by asking, if you do it in a polite way. At the very least, if you stay with the same hagwon they won't have to pay a recruiter's fee so you should at least get an extra million for the year.

[Kurtz]

Cheers for the replies, I'm just asking to see if it is normal to get more money after a year. I met a girl recently who is on as much as me with 3 years experience. I'd like to see how flexible the Directors are and considering most people start on 2.0-2.1, I would like to know how much more money is realistic after 1 year, also, after how long are you "experienced"? say 5 years??
I'm just thinking longer term if I could make a decent career out of this, and how the pay structure goes.

[Homer]

You can negociate.

Just know what your school can afford to give before you start making demands.

Now as for a career the answer is it depends on you....

It depends on what you do to improve yourself as a teacher (professional development), what experience you accumulate, what you do as a teacher where you work and other factors.

You can get better jobs as you gain experience but they will not just fall on your lap.

[mindmetoo]

To send you home and fly in a new teacher will cost about $2400. They will have to realize all that money that month. To pay your $200 per month raise over the year will cost them $2400 but that $2400 will be spread out $200 per month. Also they will have the headache of hiring, training, risking getting a loser, etc. A reasonable bump up usually seems more palpable than the expense and headache of getting a new hire.

I don't know if it is customary for Koreans to "demand" a raise. I think they generally just take what they get and if they get nothing then they silently sulk and find a new job. So when asking for a raise, remember to do it in the most respectful manner possible.

[xCustomx]

I've been offered a public school position and after I told my boss that I was leaning towards signing the contract, she suddenly offered a 500,000/month raise. Even though I'll make less at the public school, my quality of life will improve since I'll be able to finish by 4:30 and free up time in the evenings for things I enjoy doing.
I recommend telling your boss you've received an offer from another school and see whether or not they are willing to negotiate.

[mindmetoo]

[ella]

I disagree that it can't hurt to ask. Each time I've asked a potential employer to change something in a contract, they disappear. They have little motivation to accommodate you when there are so many who will sign a contract sight unseen, no questions asked.

[Kurtz]

well I'll see how things pan out over the year. I have some very small classes and I'm teaching them very basic words and grammer so it's hard to motivate small classes ( I think) so I'm not 100% about returning, but anyways, I'm still wondering what "experienced" is??. Can you define it? will I keep getting 2.0-2.2 million Won a year with 3 years experience? I'm interested to see if there is a pay structure....or is it a case of the employer offering the least possible, then it's up to you to negotiate a salary you are worth?

[jlb]

[ella]

I have to disagree with you, jlb. I've met two kids here who asked for changes in their contracts and got them - from overseas, fresh out of college and with no experience. There must be others, as well. I think, like with so many experiences in Korea, a lot of this is hit-and-miss and I've just been unfortunate enough to have only misses so far, but it's misleading to tell someone "go ahead and do this and nothing bad will happen" when at least *sometimes* it can and does cost you the contract.

[jlb]

It's pretty hard for the employer to just dissapear as in your case, if the person shows up for work everyday and sees them! The worst that could happen is that he just accepts the salary he is currently working for.

[Homer]

Ella,

You are currently looking for a job correct?

If I understand things properly you are in Seoul and looking for work and asking for changes made to contracts you are being offered.

To be fair, your position of negociation is pretty weak. You have limited leverage as you are an unknown quantity here (no experience in Korea). You are also operating in a competitive market where schools can find teachers who ask for no changes pretty quickly.

What type of changes are you requesting for those contracts? Are you asking for more money right off the bat? If so, are you being reasonable in the salary you ask?

The school perhaps cannot afford to pay more or simply does not want to because of market reasons (they compare pay at other schools). Perhaps they have a set salary scale and you are busting that scale?

I would say your modification demands may lead to employers dropping you because they just do not want the complications.

It is also possible you frame your demands in the wrong fashion. Try to understand how things work here and word your demands accordingly.

It will also depend where you are applying...

In short, if you want help, please explain the following:

1- In general where do you apply and how do you go about it?

2- What types of demands are you making?

3- How are you communicating these demands?

If you answer these questions I am sure some people here can give you more pertinent advice.

I have negociated my contracts here often (been here a while) and I see too many teachers making demands without taking into account the context, the employers capabilities or willingness and their own market value....

[Isiod]

Can a newbie negotiate up the 2mil starting rate at a Hagwon? Would it help to travel there first?