Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KoreanAmbition]

First of all, let me start by saying that I'm not dealing with this situation at this time... (I'm not saying it won't...) I'm only asking because of the plethora of university job ads that have been posted in the last month.

I would assume job hunters are applying to TONS of schools, and applicants with decent credentials are getting several interviews. With that said, it is quite obvious that not all universities interview/decide for new hires at the same time.

I'm just curious what strategy some of you use for dealing with the situation that you finally get a job offer.

Do you just take the job right away?

What if you are waiting for another job that you want more? Does it matter if you are waiting for notification of an interview? Does it matter if you have interviewed and are waiting for the final decision?

How long will you wait to accept/deny the first university's offer?

I would assume it would be extremely hazardous to inform the first univeresity you are waiting on a second offer. Therefore, there can't be much of a window for you to juggle your unrealized opportunities at that time.

Further...

Has waiting for another job ever backfired on you?

Did you ever wait and then turn down a first job offer in favour of a second one, only to have the second one fall through or end up being worse than the first?

I imagine these thoughts are facing many of you that are looking for university jobs... any stories you can share would certainly make for some interesting reading material.

[SeoulMan6]

That's a good question.

The employers surely know that you are applying for multiple jobs. That being said, I think that many universities expect you to accept the job if it is offered. I've had potential employers act a little shocked when I ask/tell them for a few days to think about it.

I think a week is a legitimate time for people to "decide" whether to take a job or not, but be sure to communicate with them so that they don't just assume that you are not responding. Be sure to show your sincere interest so they don't offer it to someone else!

There are some places that review applications as they receive them rather than waiting for the deadline. Once I was denied an interview even though I beat the application deadline. When I talked to someone on the phone, she explained that they reviewed, interviewed, offered jobs and had offers accepted by some early-birds - ones that she admitted were less qualified and experienced than me!

[PRagic]

In Korea, taking a job is like taking an apartment; take it when it's available or forever hold your peace. Just sayin...

[KoreanAmbition]

Pragic,

I agree with your comment, but I mean usually someone might have questions about the contract or other aspects of the job.

I mean, in all seriousness, an applicant has usually never seen the contract before (unless their friend works there) and probably has very little exact knowledge of the job details.

It would seem that some time to consider the specifics of the job would be acceptable.

[KoreanAmbition]

[Konglishman]

When I first received my university offer by email, it was on a late Friday afternoon. So, I decided to give it some thought over the weekend. Then, on the following Sunday night, I got a call from the main professor whom I had corresponded with the most. After we discussed a few things such as classes I might teach, I gave my verbal acceptance, but do note that on the next day, I also sent a formal email of my acceptance. Of course, I had still had to wait for the Dean to formally approve my hiring which took about another couple of weeks to happen.

[withnail]

Story 1

I applied for one uni and was made to wait 3 weeks from interview to offer letter. During the 3 week wait, I lost out on another smaller university who filled its position after offering it to me. unlucky.

The smaller uni was offering great conditions - 5 months uninterrupted paid vacations, 12 hours per week, working day finished by 1pm. But they had no reputation, cared little for who they employed over and above a BA degree and basically told me "the students/university don't expect much"

The bigger one was 20 hours per week, effectively a unigwon, with a great name though and great students.

I decided not to commit to the smaller one until I heard from the famous one. I wish I had!

So the smaller position with the cushy terms went west.

The larger university then replied with an offer - but, with a condition. They dropped the advertised salary by 200,000 won per month owing to "the global economic situation"


Beautiful Bait and Switch!

[withnail]

Story 2:

A friend of a friend was asked by his university whether or not he was going to re-sign for another year at his uni job. They approached him about this a good 3 months before his contract was up.

He replied honestly that he was not entirely sure and he needed a little time to think about it. Actually, he was happy enough but just wanted to survey the field and do a few interviews.

After a fortnight, he became sure (he wanted to re-sign) and went to tell the Department Head.

He was informed that his job was already gone - offered to someone else because of his indecision.

A cautionary tale if ever there was one.....

[PatrickGHBusan]

withnail...great stories.

Basically a University (like another employer in many respects) has positions to fill. They have deadlines (semesters). A Teachers indecision is up to him or her but an administrator has no such leeway.

If you diddle, chances are your position gets filled and that is normal. Up to the Teacher-applicant to weigh the risks.

At the University I used to work had several instances of Teachers losing out like withnail related. I can relate two examples to further spoort the cautionary tale of withnail.

Example 1: 2004

A Teacher had been working for the University for 2 years. He was happy there but like withnail story 2 he wanted to check out his options. That was his right. He told the administrator in November of 2004 that he was not sure he would resign. The administrator thanked him for his honesty but then had to consider a possible vacancy for the March semester. He needed a Teacher in the position for sure.

Early december rolled around and the Teacher still could not confirm his return he said he was going on vacation and would decide later. The administrator required that he let him know if he was returning by December 15th. The Teacher failed to let him know by the 15th. The administrator then asked us to contact the top applicant from our previous selection process. She was available and accepted the position on the 18th of December. On the 21st the Teacher called saying he was ready to resign. He was told thatb his position had been filled. As a Teacher you need to consider the school's perspective as well as yours and always remember you are not irreplacable.

Example 2: 2007

A teacher successfully completed the selection process and was offered a job. As is standard procedure that that University, he was told he had 48 hours to accept the offer or the University would move on to the next qualified applicant. The Teacher waited 3 days and when he called he was out of luck. Again: schools have positions to fill. Be wary of hesitating or of playing games with employers.

I can add that when I hired contractual consultants for my consulting egancy, I am usually time crunched. I have contracts to fill and a schedule to keep. I usually give applicants 24 hours to accept a position. When I wish to resign a consultant I usually ask for confirmation within a set period of time.

This is, like for many employers, an administrative imperative.

So if you wait on a job and consider your options, that job may very well be gone by the time you decide.

[jpotter78]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Added comment: as an applicant, you have the right to ask a potential emplyer for a timely decision as it can affect your employment decisions.

However missing out on other jobs because you are waiting on the decision from an employer is up to you! You weigh the risks when you turn down other positions you like to wait on a job. You should have a clear indication of the odds of you landing a position anyway.

If you have questions about the contract or conditions of the job...I suggest you ask the questions DURING the selection process, preferably at the interview.

[Tamada]

[ajgeddes]

I had a reverse experience. When I got hired for my first university job, I was hired on around the 10th of December. I wanted to sign the contract right away, but they said the contracts wouldn't be available until February. So, I verbally committed, but there was nothing in writing. On around the 15th, I had an interview with another school, and was hired around the 26th. It was a much better offer and the job I really wanted. They were ready to sign the contract a week later, so I took that job. If the first school was willing to sign the contract early, I would have taken it, but I wanted to secure a position for myself and didn't want to wait on the word of a school.

[KoreanAmbition]

Ajgeddes,

Were there any repercussions for breaking the verbal agreement?

I'm guessing that in Korea there's nothing that can be done...but were they really upset? How did the university (the one you didn't sign with) react?

[_kojak]

Are inteviews taking place for these jobs yet? I've applied for a number of the postitions on the job board and haven't heard back from any yet in regards to interview schedules. Generally, around what date will applicants begin to be notified about interviews?