Korean Job Discussion Forums

alphalfa · Joined: 12 Feb 2003

The issue of salary is often a contentious issue among native speakers here in Korea. Those with ESL teaching experience here and elsewhere amounting to more than 5+ years often want W2.2+mil: especially since maybe their last contract offered them W2.1mil. For those of you falling into this category I must ask you this- Would you (or have you) work(ed) for a salary less than what you received at your previous job here?

I ask because it seems alot of schools here are only offering W2.0mil and according to alot of recruiters there are many unemployed native speakers (I'm not one) in Seoul searching for that elusive W2.2-2.3mil
salary. In my opinion, if you received W2.1mil in your last contract than it's okay to work with the same salary in your new job: you're in a better position to ask for an increase in salary after working for the same employer a year(or more).

your thoughts...

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

I guess you may accept 2.1 million for a great job at a great place. (few hours and a great place to live). It is not necessary to have a pay increase at a new job and new place. However, should not the employers at least pay a little more than your previous employer?

What about university instructors that think teaching and education should be free? What do you say to other instructors that agree to teach for free? What do you say when they do countless of free or reduced-cost job-related duties? Then, your employer decides to compare you with them.

Review a part of an article
Foreign professors tend to be treated as hired hands, without academic standing, and lacking the possibility of career advancement or tenure. They must submit to yearly contracts (compensated at a rate only 60 percent of their Korean peers) while walled off from the permanent Korean faculty who benefit from travel, research funding, sabbaticals, etc. Moreover, when hundreds of Korean scholars enjoy such perks at American and other foreign universities, something is obviously amiss.

According to the Samsung Group's chairman, Lee Kun-hee, to succeed globally, Korea must forgo the thought that Korea and being Korean is superior, and foreign specialists must be treated with respect. If Korean companies follow this standard, Korea's institutions of higher learning cannot afford to do less.
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200206/14/200206142349223599900090109011.html

lush72 · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: I am Penalty Kick!

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

I just accepted a new job that pays the same as the last. However tha conditions are better. If i hadn't been in a hurry to find work , and noticed that there is more competition for the better jobs, i would have probably taken my time and joined the queue of experienced teachers hanging out for that 2.3 job.
So long as I can save a reasonable 1M + per month, i'm happy i guess.
I haven't and would never accept a job that pays less than previously- unless times were verrry tough.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

On balance, of course if you can secure better conditions then you'll consider less pay...
Unfortunately your idea of "tenure", for want of a better word, being your ticket to a pay raise in future often will not fly here- unless you have it written into your first contract.
It may be wise to adjust your expectations slightly, and accept the more commodified nature of your position. It allows you to bargain for these kinds of things in the first place without becoming embarassed.

Squid

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

Money isn't all... the hours and housing provided is, if anything more important.... I would work for less, (but not much less) if my hours were truely wonderful and the housing good....

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

I've landed a better job I think. Although the pay is only 1,900,000 (still an increase on my last position), I will have better accommodation, working hours and a boss who speaks English.

I guess it depends on what you want personally, whether it's money, quality of the school, accommodation, location etc.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

I'm of the mind that getting decent work is more important than salary. If the housing and intangibles are good, than I think even a salary of 1.8-2.0 is acceptable (for the amount of responsibilty that goes with an average hogwon job). Besides, sitting unemployed for 3 weeks is going to eat up almost as much money as another job that's +200 000 won per month would provide over a year.

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Two years ago I taught for 2.2.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I took a 100,000 won pay cut, BUT:

1. I got to choose my own apartment (now 2 BR + living room, instead of small studio).
2. The location of the school is better
3. The school is great (Central Seoul)
4. The hours are really great (9am to 2:30pm with lunch break instead of 4 to 10pm straight thru with just 10 min breaks)
5. I have a place to park my scooter
6. Overall, the job is easier

I'd say it was a good trade-off!

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

If you are the rare person who does not want to live in a greater metropolitan area, the pay seems to be less, and the hours are longer.

On the bright side, the cost of living is most likely a lot lower.

I may relocate to Busan next year. I have done only a little research and they seem to pay less there, but with a year's experience, I may just end up getting the same pay.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

When you think of the extra 2 or 3 hundred doesn't add up to a lot - Ok well I guess 2 or 3 million more a year is a good bit, but don't you usually have to work harder and maybe have more stress at a higher-paying job? At 2m a month you can still save a good deal if you are not a spendthrift.