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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:41 am Post subject: |
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| seoulsucker wrote: |
Buddy of mine just started a uni job in Dubai that offered a $10,000 US signing bonus, around $5,000/month, free housing, 2 round-trip tickets per year, and other bonuses.
Once I'm done with my MA, I'm there. |
Wonder where he found out about that one.
I view some Middle East stuff sometimes, but for the most part, the stuff I've had for uni gigs over here (Korea/Japan) have been much better all the way around.
I never see the 'stuff of legendary pay' from any actual job offers I see online...not saying your friend didn't sign that, as I keep hearing that people do, I just never see the job ads offering it. |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Like alot of places Tiger, being on the ground there changes everything.
I knew one American teacher that struck it well in Riyadh, and went from:
language institute/apt.
--to--
decent univ./decent compound
--to--
govt. contract/3 storey villa on one of the best compunds in the city.
All in a matter of one year!
His salary started at 2.5 and ended at 8.
The best positions never have a need to advertise,...it's all word of mouth. |
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Tobias
Joined: 02 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: So true |
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| pidgin wrote: |
....
The best positions never have a need to advertise,...it's all word of mouth. |
A motto worth remembering when it comes time to find a new job.
The reverse also applies as well: The jobs that suck always need to advertise.
This is why I would question going to the Middle East. If the job pays so damn much, yet is advertised, sometimes all over and many times during a school year, what does that say about it? You already know, or had better know.
It pays to be a skeptic, up to a point. I'm quickly approaching the 'unemployable' status. This is because I've adopted the most practical mindset of all:
1. If the job advertises, I don't want it. The turnover is too high, and I know I'll only be unhappy and quit after a short period of time, just like the person who was working at that position before me. So I remain unemployed.
2. If the job doesn't advertise and has no turnover, I apply, apply, apply. Of course, the job isn't available, as no one ever quits (as it IS a good job), so I remain unemployed.
Just like the guy who would never be a member of a club that would have him as a member, I never work for employers who would hire me. I will only work for employers that don't advertise and thus have no openings. It's quite a catch-22. It's a practical, realistic way of approaching the job search, but it doesn't do much for paying the bills. Being a designated loser, being someone who is marginalized, being someone who is outside the loop looking in, being somebody who has no access to the REAL networks that land me the truly great jobs with minimal effort, means I have to settle for unemployment until my belly is empty and my clothes are ragged. Then I swallow my pride for a little while and settle for a bullshit job that IS available. But at least I know up front it's bullshit, right? |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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Absolutely right!
I didn't get off the plane in Riyadh and have a prince approach me with a 250 dollar an hour private offer. I held tough, worked hard and made an impression. The first 'royal private' came from my very own director,..and the second from a lebanese staffmemember.
I don't need to tell you, Tobias that sometimes you've got to sift thru the shit to find the diamond. The people who do well in the ME (and other locales) get there wise to their situation but keen to change it. Network, network, network. I heard nice jobs changing hands over drinks at compound parties plenty of times....and graciously turned down a number (I was admin. at my haggie by then) |
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GwangjuParents
Joined: 31 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: |
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I was in Jordan last year.
I wasn't there for ESL, but all I can say about the Middle East is this:
If you don't like 2nd hand smoke, which I don't, stay far away from the Middle East.
It's one big smoke pit. You can't escape it.
They even smoke under the no smoking signs at the airport in Jordan. |
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Tobias
Joined: 02 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:46 am Post subject: What the hell |
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What the hell. I'm gonna go for it. The ME, that is. I may have to hold out for two months on a job I can stand for at least a year, but I'm off to the Middle East next. I'll keep Japan in reserve, although that may be a bad move right now. The Yen is trading like 90-95 to 1, after all, so now would be a good time to get in. However, some of the places in the ME have currencies that are pegged to the dollar, so there'll be no won-style currency collapses in those countries.
And then my skeptical side says: "But maybe Japan isn't a good move. Perhaps the Yen is poised to take a plunge? As strong as it is, it has no place to go but down."
So it's the ME. I might get caned if I look at a woman wrong, but at least I won't be working for less tomorrow than what I did today! |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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^ EMBRACE, (if not tolerate) the Eng. teaching American Muslim bretheren!!
Those guys are fer real, solid and have a myriad of connections in all sorts of weather. 
The class acts often don't want them, because Abdul wants to learn from whitey, but "the bruthas" will only spite you for it if you stay on your side of the fence. Go for a dinner or two, hang a bit and they'll drop your name at the most useful spots. |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: What the hell |
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| Tobias wrote: |
What the hell. I'm gonna go for it. The ME, that is. I may have to hold out for two months on a job I can stand for at least a year, but I'm off to the Middle East next. I'll keep Japan in reserve, although that may be a bad move right now. The Yen is trading like 90-95 to 1, after all, so now would be a good time to get in. However, some of the places in the ME have currencies that are pegged to the dollar, so there'll be no won-style currency collapses in those countries.
And then my skeptical side says: "But maybe Japan isn't a good move. Perhaps the Yen is poised to take a plunge? As strong as it is, it has no place to go but down."
So it's the ME. I might get caned if I look at a woman wrong, but at least I won't be working for less tomorrow than what I did today! |
I'm in too! It is time to start doing some serious homework. I have actually concluded that one can save more in China than Japan, but I am intrigued by the ME. I think it is worth a go .... |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: What the hell |
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| losing_touch wrote: |
| I'm in too! It is time to start doing some serious homework. I have actually concluded that one can save more in China than Japan, but I am intrigued by the ME. I think it is worth a go .... |
The Yen is so strong right now.
If someone was making 2.5 million won right now...that is about 400,000 yen.
Even about a year ago, 2.5 million won was close enough to saying 250,000 yen. |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:12 am Post subject: |
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I got an offer in Riyadh (about two weeks ago) through a friend that relocated there from Korea fairly recently.
It's a good offer. Medium-sized compound, students are motivated, great pay package and benes, excellent home/work security.
I weighed it strongly for three days but then opted out. He said with gaza being what it is, and the times being what they are that people aren't venturing out much,...markets, sites, etc...
It's still a simple call really. I and others have reminded again and again,...money or your lifestyle. Choose. |
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