Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cedarseoul]

Hi. I'm moving back to my old academy next month (after a nice sabbatical in the States). My wife is aiming to return to Seoul in August/September, but she's looking to try a different academy.
Specifically, she wants:
1) Centrally located in Seoul (Dongdaemun/Hyehwa/downtownish)--though this isn't a dealbreaker
2) ~2.5mil/month + standard benefits--this is a dealbreaker
3) Younger kids
4) No more than 8 hours / day
She has an English degree and two years of hagwon experience. She's very bright, charming, and photogenic. Kids love her.

Are these expectations reasonable? Any suggestions for schools she might contact? I'm familiar with the major recruiters and hagwon chains, but I think it's better to network into a position. I'd be most grateful for any input; feel free to PM me or e-mail [email protected].

[Skippy]

I would not count on 2.5 million. I love it that once somebody has a year or two under their belt they believe they should start being paid lots more. Most hagwons will want to start back down at the bottom for a new teacher (meaning never taught at THAT school). True she can try and negotiate but with this flooded market and wanting central Seoul her demands will likely be ignored.

Thru the younger kids are a good point for here. Now do you mean kindergarten, the more your wife will do that they more likely she will get hired. But you know that means split shift.

Also why is your wife not doing this herself.

[air76]

2.5 million in Seoul for someone with 2 years experience is a reasonable goal.

[blonde researcher]

2.5 mill is no longer a reasonable target like it used to be, especiually in a competitive market like Seoul where many directors are finding they can get new fresh blood for 2.1-2.3.
Directors have to add up the additional cost of paying out 2.5. In your case do not use a recruiter and negotiate carefully and it may be possible. But my advice is to not come in with this 2.5 mill as a 'dealbreaker'

[creeper1]

Dealbreaker - I love the attitude! She is coming to do a job that anyone foreigner with a degree can do.

Deal or no deal? No deal!

More flexibility with regard to location is needed if you want 2.5.

[The Cosmic Hum]

Hagwon job for my wife?
... after reading the thread title, am I the only one who thought Cedar was trying to trade his wife for a hagwon job?

Take my wife...please! H.Y.

[Tigerstyleone]

Asking for a 2.5MM job in the center of Seoul on a public forum.
Wake up.

[Weigookin74]

Good luck young man. I'm 2.5 but in my 4th year of public school. I had to pay my dues. Be more flexible on either location or wage if you want the convenience of living together. Which is what I assume you want.

[8 years down]

2.5 is possible but unlikely for a first contract. It's a lot more likely if she does a year there and then re-signs for another year for 2.5 mil.

[Welsh Canadian]

I'm going to be on 2.9 and fiancee on 3 when we get to Korea.

[Goon-Yang]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Welsh Canadian]

[cedarseoul]

This is actually really helpful. 2.5 seemed reasonable to me, but I wasn't sure whether the present financial landscape and market saturation might drag down wages. Seems like that's the case, and while my wife is somewhat better qualified than an absolute newbie, I understand that directors need a concrete reason to pay higher wages.

At her last job, my wife made closer to 3, but she worked very long hours. She doesn't really want to do that again, and I can't blame her!

Maybe we'll aim for 2.5, consider 2.3, and look at jobs in other areas of Seoul. Her position *must* be in Seoul or Gyeonggi near Nowon (that *is* a dealbreaker ), but it's not critical for her to live in Dongdaemun...that's just her preference.

Anyway. Thanks for the insight.

[cedarseoul]

One follow-up question...

Most of the job ads on Dave's and [a few other popular ESL sites] are for recruiters. Are there any job sites that attract a good number of primary job ads? I have contact information for the major hagwon chains, but where do the smaller places post their ads? Or do they generally work exclusively with recruiters and word-of-mouth?