Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chamchiman]

I've had a few successful contract (re-)negotiations in the past, but I'm heading into a stickier one this time around. I'm looking for some Korea-specific tips about how to negotiate. (There are quite a few threads in this forum with suggestions about what to negotiate for, but I haven't found any suggestions about approaches to negotiation in Korea.)

Perhaps there are some experienced posters who have an approach when they walk into the office to hammer out some terms. What body language do you use? Do you bow effusively or come in hard? How do you choose your words? Flattery? Ultimatums? Highballs? Do you present other offers you might have received?

Mind sharing your experiences or stories? Any suggestions would be welcome. It's a teacher's market right now, so any tips on negotiation tactics in the Korean context would help all of us.

[Fishead soup]

Never allow any agrement that you are not 100% certain you can promise get on paper. Make lots of verbal promises to get a foot in the door without making any full guarentee. Tell them time is obviously a factor and tell them to make their mind up quickly.

[Rteacher]

Try to find out what other teachers get - or have gotten (or not gotten) there and see how your qualifications match up.

Also try to find out whether the hakwon is financially stable - or if you're their last ditch hope to attract enough clients to avoid bankruptcy.

If it's a public school, you don't have to worry about that - and there's not much to negotiate.

[branchsnapper]

My general advice would be to be very nice and polite while talking about big figures and great conditions. However, it seems contrary to the most common advice given here.

[mountainous]

[branchsnapper]

Get paid up front? Get your years wages for teaching before you begin?

Most advice here is like that. Anyway, If you are a teacher, negotiate like a mild, intellectual teacher who thinks highly of themsleves. Make them think you are a professional used to getting good money. You are alone in a strange country, you can't easily go to court. If you can somehow cultivate a good image and good will, things will go better.

[mountainous]

[Chamchiman]

[genezorm]

[thematrixiam]

I think a .2 raise is reasonable. Unless you are already making 2.5 +

Also make note of some things you think you would like changed in your contract.

Then maybe finish on things you think may help out the school in the long run. That way he/she finishes on a happy note.

If you have a way to get them happy before hand that would help as well.

You could always continually butter up your boss near the end of your contract. I used to always double my work load and be extra nice with any job I liked around evaluation time. If you make sure you do it long enough in advance, they wont think you are doing it only for the money later.

[ernie]

also note that the word 'impossible' really means 'we don't particularly feel like doing it'... that word sets off my BS detector every time!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

For what kind of job is this? With public schools, you're generally stuck between your school and a higher authority, with little room to manoeuvre. With hagwons there's a lot more leaway, but you have to be careful to do it in a way that doesn't make the other feel like they're losing face.

[Chamchiman]

[Nexus11]

I definitely would want recommend using an ultimatum, at least not in a hard way. If you tell the boss your demands and tell him to take it or leave it, there is a good chance he will leave it, even if it is acceptable for him. Why? Because of the perception that you would be the "winner" in the negotiations. Most Korean bosses still believe that they are superior to their employees and should have complete authority. They would rather damage their own business than have a subordinate dictating terms to them.

A much better approach to an ultimatum would be to tell him "I have an offer for x.x million from another academy. I really enjoy working here and I would love to stay here. However, I really need the extra money."

That way, you are giving him the opportunity to "do you a favor and offer you a salary that will allow you to stay." It gives the appearance that he is paying you more because he wants to, not because he is being forced to.

You need to give people the illusion of choice. Nobody likes doing something because they are forced to. In Confucian Korea, this is especially true.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

I've cut and pasted this reflective piece I included in an essay for my MA International Relations subject on intercultural communication. This part of the essay dealt specifically with the perils and pitfalls of negotiating between cultures.