Korean Job Discussion Forums

hank25000 · Joined: 21 Jun 2011

I had an interview over the phone with a hogwan and two points came up that the director didn't like: A) I am a certified teacher and B) I didn't finish my last contract in Korea.

How could being an ACTUAL teacher work against me? The rate of pay that I wanted seemed to be one issue as it was higher than the 2.0 they had in mind. Their advertisement mind you stated 2.0-2.2 and I only said that I wanted more than the minimum.

The second point was that the director said she had had two previous qualified teachers and they wouldn't take on her advice because they felt they knew better than her.

About my last contract, that employer was dreadful! He wouldn't give me a letter of release. He withheld 300,000 won as a deposit which wasn't in my contract. He denied me my sick and vacation days. He paid me up to a week late every time.. you know, the usual story line. To the best of my knowledge, this employer cannot be contacted because the school went out of business.

So in the interest of finding work over there, should I just lie? Should I just accept 2.0mil/month at some unknown hogwan through a random recruiter and simply pray for the best?

hank25000 · Joined: 21 Jun 2011

And should I happen to not mention my true qualifications and experience, would it still be possible for an employer to find out?

My thoughts here are with regards to immigration and the two prior visas I had (2002 & 2005 on a previous passport), and the national pension scheme (which I cashed out of prior to my last departure from Korea).

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:12 am Post subject:

No, state frecisely what you want. Say you want 2.4, not a round about figure.
(the keyboard I'm using can't tyfe *, so I'm using f instead)
If they don't want a qualified teacher because ... then it's their business and wish them luck. Look elsewhere.

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

itiswhatitis · Joined: 08 Aug 2011

Go for a hagwon job instead

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:08 am Post subject:

hank25000 · Joined: 21 Jun 2011

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

mollayo · Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Location: At the my house

2 million? NO. You should get 2.2 at the very lowest, but more like 2.3. Don't lie about being a certified teacher. There's lots of schools, so go ahead and find another one that will value your experience. I'm not completely sure, but as a certified teacher, can't you work at an international school?

DaHu · Joined: 09 Feb 2011

Always lie if you want a job. But you don't want that job.

They're never telling you the truth, so it evens out. This is called "business" here.

A contract is called "a rough outline of the working situation not to be taken seriously".

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

Really you are a certified teacher and they can get you for 2.2 million won. What a deal! It sounds like they want some one they can boss around. Some one with credentials can be harder to boss or pull the wool around the eyes.

The previous contact unfinished - most people say if it is short or ended abruptly aka fired/quit - do not include it with your resume. Do not bring it up if they ask about a gap. It they press give some minor details. The previous contract to them says that you are a complainer and even might not finish with them.

In the end go elsewhere - your certificate should get you some better choices and open a few more doors for you.

If you want to continue. Do not lie - just do not tell them what they do not need to know.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

Tamada · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

Think of it like this;

Telling the truth in Korea is like telling lies back home.

Telling lies in Korea is like telling the truth back home.

Always remember this, and you'll not go far wrong.

hank25000 · Joined: 21 Jun 2011

So what about them finding out through the pension / health insurance schemes? Is that even possible? Say, they call those organisations to get you set up and they have a record of you already on their computer system. Is this likely to happen?

And how about with immigration? Could an employer discover that you previously had a visa issued to you through them? I didn't have any issues with my visas in the past so there won't be any fines/criminal record of any kind there.

Interestingly enough though, my last employer CHANGED the name of the school that my visa was tied to with immigration. I discovered this when I went there to complain prior to my departure. The nice immigration lady asked me if I worked at such n such school and it was NOT the same one as listed on the label inside my passport!

hank25000 · Joined: 21 Jun 2011