Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PaperTiger]

I realize some of this has been covered in the FAQ's thread, but what I'm hoping for is that something new will come to the surface.

So far I've got:
1. Class size...how many?
2. How many different levels will I be teaching?
3. Curriculum, national or arranged by the teacher? May I see it?
4. Is the school government funded or private?
5. How willing is the school to negotiate on salary or housing issues to make a competitive offer?
6. What are my responsibilities as a teacher as they see it?
7. Will I be the only foreigner on staff? Am I the school's first foreigner on staff? How many other teachers/staff speak English?
8. Verify vacation time.
9. May I see the office? I'd like to see my workspace.
10. Will I have my own classroom or will I be a floater?

[ilovebdt]

I would ask whether you will have access to any multimedia equipment

E.g cassette/CD player
TV
Projector
Also, if there is any particular book you would like to use in class ask if there is any money available for you to buy texts?
Do you have to come to school when there are no classes?

ilovebdt

[gsxr750r]

1. Are any of the female staff members single? Or married and unhappy?
2. Is fish served more than 3 times per week?
3. Are any of the mothers of my students "hot?" See #1.
4. What is the strongest level of punishment I am allowed to give out?
5. Can I bring my rotweiler to class every day?
6. If the urinal is busy, may I use a tree out back?
7. Is there an Anma in the basement?
8. Is the principal a powerfreak?

I could go on, but I digress.

[hubba bubba]

Keep in mind:

When I "interviewed" for my job, the process consisted of them asking me about five general quesions via the recruiter. Then it was over. There was no, "OK, it's your turn to ask questions now" part.


But the job rocks, so it's fine.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

For a high school the single most important question is whether it is an academic, vocational, or technical high school and how many of the students are university tracked.

Ask to see the textbooks and ask to what extent they will want you to follow them.

Finally, ask for references from any former foriegn teachers.

[gsxr750r]

Obviously, I was just teasing about the above part.

I feel it's important not to ask too many questions at first, as was implied above by another poster.

Here are GSXR750's hints to getting a job at a public school in Korea:

1. Wear a suit (men) or nice conservative business-style clothing (women). Look clean and well-groomed. If this is too much for you, then stick with hagwons.

2. Always be polite and smile. Show EVERYONE -- from the security guard to the principal -- the utmost respect.

3. Be friendly and courteous to office people, and random hallway people you see. Even the person you say "hello" to in the restroom is important. A polite little mini-bow is a nice thing to give to others when you meet. A deeper, slower bow for more important people. When foreigners are interviewed, interested staff will loiter in the area. How you treat these people could make or break your interview. I can't stress this enough. They often WILL say something about you, be it good or bad, to the people in charge after your interview is finished.

4. Don't ask too many questions (first interview). It took me 3 interviews to get my public school job (3rd was basically the acceptance). When you do ask a question in the first interview, ask it in a manner as if you are interested in knowing the answer, but in a tone that suggests you feel you might be asking too much. That one's a little difficult to explain, but you want to come across as being non-confrontational with your questions -- as if to appear you would be thankful for an answer, but you aren't pressing for it. You will likely get an answer. A lack of an answer is a good tip that there may be a problem in that area to consider, etc., if planning to take the job.

5. If you are offered the job, THEN is the time to talk about salary, if it's not satisfactory. ALWAYS be polite when doing so. I was offered this uni job at 1.9 million per month. I politely refused, and when they pushed, I kindly wrote down the pay and benefits of my current job on one side of a sheet of paper, and theirs on the other. I was friendly and honest the entire time. When we couldn't come to an agreement, I bowed and gave a friendly smile, thanking them for the opportunity to talk to them. I didn't get 2 subway stops away before I was called to come back. They had talked to higher powers, and agreed to raise me to 2.1 (I had asked 2.2). As a result, the other 3 foreigners here were also raised to 2.1, or above, based on experience. It was no small decision on their part, but they made it. Had I acted like an angry/uppity person when they presented 1.9, I never would have worked here.

Above all, I can't stress enough how important a suit is. Another thing -- carry some kind of notebook, and look professional. You may never carry one again, and it may seem dumb, but it makes you look sharp.

I am fully aware that many will hate the suggestions above (for whatever reasons). If you feel that way, then please consider changing your feelings. Koreans judge more on appearance than Western culture. And they also judge (rightfully so, in my opinion) based on manners. If you know how to use this to your advantage, you can gain more power in your negotiating position.

[hubba bubba]

Dem's some really good words to listen to if you want to gat a decent job in Korea.

[rothkowitz]

They may well ask you what your approach in class will be,so have an answer prepared.No doubt they'll want you to seem "active"

Suit-should do that for any interview here.

It depends on how much you want the particular job or to work in a particular location.

If you can pick and choose a lot more then I'd get down to the nitty gritty a lot more-school curriculum,school attitude towards discipline,PD opportunities.

You can be separating the wheat from the chaff just the same as they might be.Although......after you have been hired you may well find it's all the same to them.You have to be there for a year.If it seems like it's going to be a headache at first,how will 12 months of that seem.

Probably a really good initial impression to make is seeming low-maintenance and having them feel confident in just leaving you to it.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Just do bear in mind that they will probably not know how to answer some of your questions and may be genuinely perplexed why a teacher would want to know such relevant things.