Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Auslegung]

I'm returning to Korea after 15 months back in America. In Korea I worked at Topia teaching Elementary students, but now I want to teach kindergarten/preschool and they don't teach that level. While I've been in America I've been working with kids who have mental and/or behavioral disorders, so I think that's good experience.

With that experience, I want to negotiate for a better contract this time around. I've already decided to ask for 200,000/month more than I got last time, and am telling Morgan Recruiters to get me a job in Gangnam only. They're doing their part in finding me those positions, but here's my question. What else would you ask from the school?

I'm thinking of asking for some of the following, in order of importance: 1) less hours of teaching per week, 2) 5 more vacation days 3) a little more furniture than they initially offer, 4) something stating that I won't have to move apartments unless I want to (that happened last time, and it wasn't a big deal but I foresee that it could be), 5) a weekly transportation allowance if my hagwon isn't within walking distance, 6) paid utilities.

Any other suggestions? Stories on how successful you were with similar negotiations? Statements that I'm asking for far too much and will never get hired with such demands? Posts declaring how ignorant you are but still want to give your two cents? Please, (almost) any input would be welcomed.

[MoonArisa]

Though you're right to negotiate some aspects of your contract, note that the more you ask for, the less likely you are to be picked up by a school.

No owner (especially in private institutions) will want to deal with the hassel of a teacher who asks for a lot.

I definitely recommend you take a look at the things you ABSOLUTELY need (i.e. will not sign the contract without) and forgo the rest.

[Sector7G]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Lets see...

I'm thinking of asking for some of the following, in order of importance:
1) less hours of teaching per week
That can be negociated depending on what you have as leverage (your experience, credentials, contacts and the what the market demand is for someone like you).



2) 5 more vacation days

Same as no 1 but if you ask for both, it becomes a reason to turn you down...who wants an employee they pay more for less and that gets more paid vacation?


3) a little more furniture than they initially offer

Interesting demand...wonder how that would go over even if it is pretty reasonable.

4) something stating that I won't have to move apartments unless I want to (that happened last time, and it wasn't a big deal but I foresee that it could be)

This is reasonable

5) a weekly transportation allowance if my hagwon isn't within walking distance

You are kidding right?


6) paid utilities.

Noty likely but at this point why not ask anyway..lol

[ModernNomad]

I declare that I'm ignorant, but I would request either more pay or fewer hours/more vacation. As it was stated, asking more pay for less work is not likely to endear you to a potential employer unless perhaps you have some really amazing credentials.

3 and 4 sound reasonable. If you're offered more money or fewer hours, I wouldn't push it with 5 and 6. If you're not offered more money or fewer hours, 5 and 6 could be negotiated as a consolation prize.

[Sinnerman]

Just set your requirements out and express them to the recruiter.

1) You require X,XXX,XXX, won per month for XX hrs worked
2) You require XX days off, and be specific in the manner which they can be used. If you want 3 weeks off in succession, you can choose that. This might create staffing issues for the school, and they might not budge.
3) All the teacher apartments I saw in Gangnam were tiny. Watch out what you wish for. I would ask that the furniture be in good condition. You never know who just lived there.
4) They would have to check the current contract with the apartment. It could line up with your contract, but might not. If the apartment owner decides to raise the rent, the school may not want to swallow that cost. Schools generally sign 1-2 year leases on the apartments.
5) Take this into consideration when discussing your salary. If you start demanding too much, no one will want to hire you.
6) See 5

State your requirements to both recruiter and the school. Sometime information won't go from A to B, it is just resumes being shuffled around.

[lifeinkorea]

Sounds like you should get a temporary solution here. I know you don't want to move, but schools would rather give a job to a local than someone who has to be flown in with demands that are based on working at another school in the past.

Find a school that is willing to transfer you to another school after a few months. Use those months to meet schools in person. Then you can see the apartment and distance. You will already know without requesting, and it won't come off as a demand.

[jrwhite82]

Not saying your list is impossible to come by, but be prepared to wait a long time to find a school that will meet all those demands.

Stick to maybe 2 "must haves" like other posters said. Is furniture really that important?

Stick with the higher wage scale/vacation and teaching hours. Those are most important. All the rest is secondary.

[Sinnerman]

On second thought, add a personal chauffeur to your list.

[Auslegung]

Thanks for all the input, but it seems like most of you are under the assumption I'm going to insist on getting all of those demands. That list is just what I've thought of, I have no intention to ask for all of them.

I figure I can get #1 and maybe #4. If not, then #2 and #3. If not, then 3 from #3-6. That's what I'll probably ask for.

Shinnerman, I appreciate your suggestion to tell my recruiter exactly what I'm wanting. I didn't really think about them communicating my preferences to the school, I guess I underestimate recruiters at times.

As for the extra furniture, my last hagwon didn't provide a couch for me but did provide one for some other foreigners, so I know that if I request a couch that they might do it. If not, I can request a microwave if it isn't included, or maybe a rice cooker, or a comfy chair.