Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chris_Dixon]

Hey guys and girls, for the first time in my life i have to go through contract negotiations as I'm renewing my contract. I'm a little bit nervous and want to be as prepared as possible. I'm going to ask for 2.4 million a month, what i would like from you is the name of your school (general terms) and the rate for a newbie teacher and one with a years exp. to be used as a point of ref when negotiating. I really like my school and have just been given a nicer apartment, but with the teacher shortage etc i would like a little more than the 2.3 I've been offered....

So, if you don't mind, can you post your school and wage...

thanks heaps for the help

[PGF]

ask for 2.6 and don't flinch.

if you want 2.4 or 2.5, that is.

rules of negotiation............


be prepared with reasons....

1) the internet jobs are all offering 2.5 and 2.6 right now to newbies; I have experience

2) it's hard to find new teachers; ask around

3) I found a job for less hours and 2.4 but it's in _______ and I don't want to live there because I have friends here, but I will live there if I don't get 2.X here- your choice

[thegadfly]

The difference between first and second year is about 150,000 won a month at the school where I work...was about 100,000 won a month at the other schools I had worked at in Korea.

More is certainly possible if you have been an asset to the school -- this isn't like the US with a set step system based on time served -- my second year raises in Korea have always been above average...I realize that a resume is a piece of paper, and the proof is in the tasting of the pudding, so I have much higher expectations once the employer has seen my work for a year.

If you have been a strong asset, and the school is not struggling, 2.4 should be acceptable...I would suggest 2.6 as your counter, as did a previous poster. If your boss can do math and has any grasp of logic, 2.6 for a proven teacher (you HAVE proven yourself an asset, right?) is a safer bet than 2.2 for an unknown.

Cheers and good luck!

[ttompatz]

compare your job to a public school job.

2nd year teacher (with only a BA and NO TESOL certification) gets:

2.2 mil base salary (for 22 classes of 40-50 minutes) + 20k per extra class
(so based on 30 classes = 2.84 mil per month)
3-4 weeks paid holidays (+ 2 additional weeks (paid) for re-signing)
airfare paid at the end of each contract (even if you renew you get the cash or ticket and home leave for EACH contract completed).
severance, pension, medical, housing

Match it or lose you.

If they won't match it, get ahold of your local education board.
They will give you all of the above + the security of a government position (they won't sell out or go bankrupt and leave you hanging).

[mnhnhyouh]

Some extra levers.

Are you going home? If you are only going a short difference or just the Japan run, point out that you will be saving them money.

Remember that the recruiters fee is about 1,000,000W. Spread over 12 months that is nearly 100,000 a month saved right there.

Watch for the counter that goes that they cant pay you more as the other teachers will have their noses put out of joint. If that is the case tell them that a signing bonus of 12 x monthly difference will fix that problem. Then you can honestly tell the other teachers about your new wage.

Start at 2.7

h

[Chris_Dixon]

Thanks alot guys, very helpful information. As far as being an asset goes, I'm not sure, I've done my job and have had absolutely no trouble with the boss, the few times I've been asked to help out I've done so without a problem and i don't think i've ever complained. i just feel with the shortage of teachers that i mays well take advantage of the situation...although i don't want to offend anyone.

The boss says I'm a good teacher but i do find it an easy job, so yeah haha. I'm going back to New Zealand for a month, my contract ends in August but my boss asked if i can wait till November for the holiday as thats when the next teacher leaves...which is fine with me as the weathers abit nicer then...

I figure the flights etc are not really a perk as i would get them anyway...

I feel abit rude asking for so much more haha, but i guess I'm here to earn money

[PRagic]

You can have all the best justification for a raise in the world, but if you work for a crapwon, the only thing that will matter will be if they have another teacher in the pike to take your place. If they do, you'll be SOL.