Korean Job Discussion Forums

proustme · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Location: Nowon-gu

I really like my public school. They want to know by next Thursday whether I'll renew. A document from GEPIK requires notification immediately.

It's so strange how it works here. In my mind, my school should tell me whether or not I'll be offered the job for next year. However, the way it works here in the public school system is that a committee is formed and judges whether you'll be hired for the next year. However the committee doesn't schedule a meeting until you say you want the job next year.

All that aside, I want to check out other places and see if I can get job offers. I just didn't want to decide right now where I'll be working come February.

nomad-ish · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject:

sounds kind of early for renewal talk to me. some schools ask this early, but i think most wait until december to worry about renewing the NET. they might just be pressuring you so you have less time to make an informed decision and size up your options.

you could be honest with them and tell them that you really don't know and need more time to think about it. see if they can give you more time. i really doubt there's a committee that meets to decide your renewal though, it's probably just an informal 'yes' or 'no' deal by the principal, vp, and your co-teachers.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Most schools ask you on the spot and expect an immediate answer. If you say you are unsure they will assume you are not interested. That's how things are done in Korea. If you are unsure it's best just to say "yes" and make your real decision when it comes to contact time.

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

kerbythepurplecow · Joined: 02 Mar 2009

Also GEPIK. My co knows I'm unsure. He's known I'm unsure for the months the principal has been forcing him to ask. So here we've got this mandatory whatever from GEPIK and I'm still unsure.

loyfriend · Joined: 03 Aug 2009

Well even though your school is asking now for Febuary, I concider you lucky. My contract ends December 17th and I am at a public school. I had no talk of asking of I am staying or going. Paydays are on the 25th of each month, so really I only have 1 officail payday left.

When I ask my regular teachers if I stay or go they have no idea, the princibles I never talk to as he only knows Korean. So I have been applying for places outside of Korea. I sure if I do stay and renew the contract at this high school I be bringing in 3-3.5m no problem.

Hamlet · Joined: 18 Mar 2008

Do you remember when they (EPIC, GEPIC, SMOE, or whoever it was) hired an extra hundred teachers and then told them at the last minute that they didn't really have jobs, even though some had already bought airline tickets, quit jobs back home, etc.? They were covering their bases, making sure they had all their positions filled. They didn't care about anything else--just did what was in their best interest.

That's what you need to do! Tell them, "Yes, I love this place and I want to work here for another year!" Then go about looking for a better job. If you find one, tell them that you changed your mind and are leaving. If you don't find one, stay there for another year--just do what's in your best interest.

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station

My Principal told me to renew two months in; I said I was flattered, but it's a little too soon for Sarang Hae.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

It's the Korean way.

Our university does the same thing. Only they said they'd think about what they want to do, then notify us on December 31. They also don't present us with an actual contract until a few weeks before the semester (and even then, it's not yet signed by the president).

This year, I told them:

kerbythepurplecow · Joined: 02 Mar 2009

Has this become more widespread or still just the handful of us? I'm currently being questioned daily. Usually several times.

jonbowman88 · Joined: 20 Jan 2009 Location: gwangju, s korea

YEah Korea is silly, my wife is a korean teacher working on 1 year contracts. She was working at a school and would have liked to renew, but was never given the option. Then when they discovered that she was interviewing for another job after her contract was over, they acted all insulted and basically said "we would have renewed you, but you're interviewing? ok we'll find a new teacher, and by the way since you're interviewing we're not gonna offer you another contract"

Ridiculous? yes

loyfriend · Joined: 03 Aug 2009

My public school hasnt said anything to me. I only have 6 weeksto go. You would think they would ask as flying home mid december is much more expensive to buy a ticket at the last minute vs say 2-3 months in advance.

I remember last year tickets were close to 1800.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008