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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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thegadfly
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 2:29 am Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| For how long you've been here, you must be up to 4 million per month now if that is the case. I had no idea hagwons paid that much. Congratulations on your success. |
Actually, it is higher than that -- and in all honesty, I DID top out 3 years ago -- prior to that, my increase was closer to 15% a year, but a few years of static wages causes my annual average salary increase to drop to 8%.
Of course, that is better than the 10% pay CUT my friends teaching in Michigan had to agree to, in order to keep their jobs.... |
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morningsoju
Joined: 20 Aug 2011
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:02 am Post subject: |
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you had it really good if you think 6 classes a day is a "slavemill". i always thought this was standard. i've taught 6 classes a day for 2 years and got pretty used to it. in the beginning it was tough, but after the first couple months, i got better and needed much less (sometimes none at all) prep time. the people that i work with don't seem to complain either. however, if i did have a gig working only 16-20 hours a week for FT pay, i can see how 6 classes can seem like a lot. honestly, working 16 hours is a pretty sweet deal.
but maybe that's why i've been getting a ton of job offers from my recruiter. i actually have a lot more options this year than last year. i don't have any additional creds, besides my 2 years experience and college diploma. all the elementary and middle school positions he's been sending me require teaching 6 classes (with maybe one or two 5 class days). the kindy positions are a bit easier and give over an hour for lunch breaks, but i'd rather stick with the older kids.
i still have until January to decide, so i'm taking my time. but being able to find a job is definitely not one of my worries. |
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| morningsoju wrote: |
you had it really good if you think 6 classes a day is a "slavemill". i always thought this was standard. i've taught 6 classes a day for 2 years and got pretty used to it. in the beginning it was tough, but after the first couple months, i got better and needed much less (sometimes none at all) prep time. the people that i work with don't seem to complain either. however, if i did have a gig working only 16-20 hours a week for FT pay, i can see how 6 classes can seem like a lot. honestly, working 16 hours is a pretty sweet deal.
but maybe that's why i've been getting a ton of job offers from my recruiter. i actually have a lot more options this year than last year. i don't have any additional creds, besides my 2 years experience and college diploma. all the elementary and middle school positions he's been sending me require teaching 6 classes (with maybe one or two 5 class days). the kindy positions are a bit easier and give over an hour for lunch breaks, but i'd rather stick with the older kids.
i still have until January to decide, so i'm taking my time. but being able to find a job is definitely not one of my worries. |
Honestly, I've been here 7 yrs and only have a BA and have never had an ft job where I taught that much (though I know it seems to be a lot of nets do.)
I've worked at 3 public schools, one after school programme, and 3 hakwans. I always seem to maange at the hakwans to get a job where the contract is for 30 hrs, but the schedule is never over around 22 - 25. Guess I'm lucky.
And I do think it is arduous. Could just be my age - 35. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why they want YOUNG newbs so much these days. But really, 6 fifty min classes with only 5 or 10 min breaks, I think a lot of ppl think that's a tough day tbh and friends I know who do five fifty min classes a day in a row with only 5 - 10 min breaks say they find it exhausting and often fall asleep as soon as they get home.
I don't know I guess it's down to individual perspective. But my 3 yrs at ps with often less than 22 forty min classes a week, often with many breaks bigger than 30 mins between has bloody well ruined me for the jobs like yours tbh. And sadly, those are getting closer to what I'm being offered in today's competative market. No way I'll take one though. Any way, that's just me. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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Something isn't right...
Seven years and seven different schools? I know some have bragged on this board about having MORE (  ) but it seems that the reason you haven't found anything is because everyone wonders why you haven't stayed in one place for more than one year.  |
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proverbs
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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| that is kind of weird. because if i had a gig working 16 hour weeks, i would have stayed FOREVER. no, seriously. throw all my ambition out the window - 16 hours, 2.2mil and housing - would have stayed until they kicked me out. |
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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| proverbs wrote: |
| that is kind of weird. because if i had a gig working 16 hour weeks, i would have stayed FOREVER. no, seriously. throw all my ambition out the window - 16 hours, 2.2mil and housing - would have stayed until they kicked me out. |
The 16 teaching hrs and 20 office hrs job is in CHINA as clearly stated. It doesnt include housing and works out to about 2.1mil eqvt.
Anyway.
Yes I have had 7 jobs in as many years. I never get renewed because I'm not jemisoyo enough and I don't take crap.
And yes of course this is why. Duh. Quite frankly I despise the very industry I work in, it's ridiculous, absurd and doesn't produce results congruant to the ammount of time and money poured into it. The only reason I have been here so long is for the easy savings and abilty to build up about 10k gbp in about a year if you save well, and also my prediliction for compulsive gambling. Otherwise I'd have been out of here after the first year lol.
Yes my last hakwan gig averaged at around 22 hrs a week. Yes I was not renewed for arguments early on and for not putting up with pyscotic behavoiur and insults as always but by the end of it the kids loved me and the change in classroom behaviour was simply amazing. Don't I just seem like some marry poppins of the esl workd eh 
Anyhow, nuff about me back on topic.
How to get a GREAT JOB and also (for clarification purposes) what we as a community can agree to term a GREAT JOB.
Like I said, I personally am willing to accept 2.3mil hakwan gigs that don't have full schedules of 30 hrs of teaching a week or a public school job (I no longer believe an e2 can land an as gig sadly.) Anything less and it's 16 - 22 hrs a week in Shanghai for slightly less money. Again, IN CHINA. Where such jobs DO EXIST, not korea (as before clearly stated.)
So OP and others, - what do you define as a GREAT job in Korea and what can one do to improve their chances of getting one, as I don't think we've quite got there yet! |
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braindrops
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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I just read a post of one guy who started his job at 3.5 million (for 80 hours teaching), and after his first year wants to ask for 5.0 for his second.
42% increase from first year...pretty sizable jump, if you ask me. is he overreaching? |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| braindrops wrote: |
I just read a post of one guy who started his job at 3.5 million (for 80 hours teaching), and after his first year wants to ask for 5.0 for his second.
42% increase from first year...pretty sizable jump, if you ask me. is he overreaching? |
Is he overreaching? lol
Maybe he's overreaching to see what they counter-offer. If the teaching is intense (like AP-style classes or the like) and business is good, the fellow might luck out.
I'm about to get a 50% pay raise, but a job change will be involved and my current salary isn't all that hot. |
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Carbon
Joined: 28 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| The Floating World wrote: |
So OP and others, - what do you define as a GREAT job in Korea and what can one do to improve their chances of getting one, as I don't think we've quite got there yet! |
Ok.
12 contract hours per week, with an option for up to 18 @ overtime pay, 3.0 starting, 5 months paid vacation per year, performance incentives (cash for good work) no EFL classes (all ESP), teaching full credit courses (no 'conversation' classes), a large office, an administration that doesn't micro-manage (lots of autonomy and trust) in a highly respected university in Seoul.
This is a good job.
Get a graduate degree, work your way up to the task by doing some time in other sectors to build your skills, do some additional professional development (CELTA/DELTA, etc), build a strong portfolio, get out to KOTESOL meetings and network, try to get published (at least write), learn how to interview well, have a strong demo lesson ready to go, get a nice, professional wardrobe and work very hard. Then network more.
That is how to get the aforementioned job. |
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jurassic82
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Location: Somewhere!!!!
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:49 am Post subject: |
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Enough of the petty arguments. I don't buy all the BS of not being able to find a good job in Korea. I hear that all the time and have been hearing it for awhile. If you want to find a good job in Korea there are many things you can do. Some good ones were mentioned earlier. I occassionally look on the job board here and have noticed many attractive positions and when talking to other teachers (who are currently in Korea) they have had little to no problem getting a descent job with good vacation and pay. I know that Uni jobs are probablly harder to come by if you are elooking for one in Seoul but other good jobs are still out there. Put a sharp looking resume together and try your best to get make it stick out by adding a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA course to your list of qualifications. Apply to a bunch of different recruiters and make them work for you. Be patient and I am sure you can find something descent. Good Luck (and please ignore your pessimistic friend!!).  |
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Dodge7
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:43 am Post subject: |
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| The Floating World wrote: |
| proverbs wrote: |
| that is kind of weird. because if i had a gig working 16 hour weeks, i would have stayed FOREVER. no, seriously. throw all my ambition out the window - 16 hours, 2.2mil and housing - would have stayed until they kicked me out. |
The 16 teaching hrs and 20 office hrs job is in CHINA as clearly stated. It doesnt include housing and works out to about 2.1mil eqvt.
Anyway.
Yes I have had 7 jobs in as many years. I never get renewed because I'm not jemisoyo enough and I don't take crap.
And yes of course this is why. Duh. Quite frankly I despise the very industry I work in, it's ridiculous, absurd and doesn't produce results congruant to the ammount of time and money poured into it. The only reason I have been here so long is for the easy savings and abilty to build up about 10k gbp in about a year if you save well, and also my prediliction for compulsive gambling. Otherwise I'd have been out of here after the first year lol.
Yes my last hakwan gig averaged at around 22 hrs a week. Yes I was not renewed for arguments early on and for not putting up with pyscotic behavoiur and insults as always but by the end of it the kids loved me and the change in classroom behaviour was simply amazing. Don't I just seem like some marry poppins of the esl workd eh
Anyhow, nuff about me back on topic.
How to get a GREAT JOB and also (for clarification purposes) what we as a community can agree to term a GREAT JOB.
Like I said, I personally am willing to accept 2.3mil hakwan gigs that don't have full schedules of 30 hrs of teaching a week or a public school job (I no longer believe an e2 can land an as gig sadly.) Anything less and it's 16 - 22 hrs a week in Shanghai for slightly less money. Again, IN CHINA. Where such jobs DO EXIST, not korea (as before clearly stated.)
So OP and others, - what do you define as a GREAT job in Korea and what can one do to improve their chances of getting one, as I don't think we've quite got there yet! |
YES! Love it that I found at least ONE person that thinks as I do. You don't even have to say anymore, I understand you and feel your pain. |
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minos
Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:34 am Post subject: |
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| The Floating World wrote: |
| proverbs wrote: |
| that is kind of weird. because if i had a gig working 16 hour weeks, i would have stayed FOREVER. no, seriously. throw all my ambition out the window - 16 hours, 2.2mil and housing - would have stayed until they kicked me out. |
The 16 teaching hrs and 20 office hrs job is in CHINA as clearly stated. It doesnt include housing and works out to about 2.1mil eqvt.
Anyway.
Yes I have had 7 jobs in as many years. I never get renewed because I'm not jemisoyo enough and I don't take crap.
And yes of course this is why. Duh. Quite frankly I despise the very industry I work in, it's ridiculous, absurd and doesn't produce results congruant to the ammount of time and money poured into it. The only reason I have been here so long is for the easy savings and abilty to build up about 10k gbp in about a year if you save well, and also my prediliction for compulsive gambling. Otherwise I'd have been out of here after the first year lol.
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How do you get past reference checks? |
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