Korean Job Discussion Forums

usteach · Joined: 12 Apr 2003

OK, my contract finishes in about 10 days and my school is starting to get a little panicky as a result of the FEW responses we've gotten from potential teachers. I've put ads up on PusanWeb and we've gotten maybe 3 resumes in 2 months! I just don't get it. Where are all those people looking for jobs? My school does require some Sat afternoon classes which may sour the deal for many- but the salary is good as are the benefits. Even recruiters are having a hard time coming up with someone ( my school prefers a female) . Just amazes me when i read about so many people out there looking for work. Any thoughts?

Crois · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:03 am Post subject:

Why dont you say about the job on this thread???

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

unless the pay is over 2.4 mil a month and the sat classes are only 3 hours they will have a very hard time finding people. Alot of people are sick of the Korean screw the foriegner attitude. Work 40 hours a week banging your head against the wall putting up with all sorts of crap...okay I am a bit bitter about my last 9 months but unrealistic salaries, times, and locations make people look long and hard...

consider that many(not all) of the people who come to Korea do so to make some cash, party a bit, and relax before going back home to find a 'real' job. why work 6 days a week? why work 30+ hours a week?

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Saturday teaching will be a real sticking point for many teachers. Why? Who really knows. Why aren't you renewing? Just curious. Smile

usteach · Joined: 12 Apr 2003

I'm not renewing because this I've finished year 2 in Korea and I've met my goals and am ready to move on. I'd post about this job in detail but the mods delete it if its an outright job advertisement. Anyways, the teaching hours are under 30 per week including Saturdays and there's no prep work either, no meetings, super laid-back. Thats why I can't figure out why someone wouldn't want this job. Its cake. But it is a hagwan.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Saturday classes.. duh!

Tell your director to wise up and take that off of the docket.

I'd have to be paid minimum 50,000 an hour to take classes on Saturdays, or it's not worth it to me.

That's just my opinion.

oneiros · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Location: Villa Straylight

Agreed on the Saturday issue. I spent a year doing six days a week, and it's not much fun. Maybe I'm a whiner, but one day off a week isn't enough for me. There's no time to unwind, because you have to use your one day off to run errands, do laundry, etc. There's no time to travel, really, because you can only do day trips.

If I see Saturdays in a job description, I stop reading immediately.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 7:17 am Post subject:

Ditto about Saturdays. I did them, then I did a Monday-Friday job, and I can't say that I'd be eager to go back to working Saturdays.

The "female only" thing might also be hurting it...sure, there's lot of chicks teaching in Korea, but between Saturdays and that? It's a hard combo to overlook.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Its definitely the saturdays issue. Even if they promise only one lesson on a saturday, they will lie and change it to more . never sign any contract where they even hint at the word "saturday".

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I agree with the whole 6-days a week issue about not working on Saturdays. But I've done Tuesday - Saturday and those worked out fine for me. (well, the hagwon just plain sucked, but that's another story)

KPRROK

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Ditto on the Saturdays. It's just a burnout to even be in the workplace 6 days a week. Even for an hour or two on the extra day. Not something most of us foreigners are used to. The Koreans are used to it.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

seems you've gotten your answer man.

Tell your Boss to either reconsider the Sats or to rethink the working of the Add. If it was woreded better ppl might bite

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Let us know what your boss says.

It might help to word the contract to say, "... guarenteed less than 30 hours per week, plus overtime pay for Saturday hours."

Also, tell him he'd better stick to what he promises, and give up on the "female only" thing. Make sure it's worded that females preferred, but qualified male candidates also considered.

usteach · Joined: 12 Apr 2003

You've totally nailed it on the Saturday thing. They say they can't reschedule the classes to fall only on M thru Fridays... And, yes, I'm burned out teaching them as well. Even though some weekdays I'd only teach 3 classes, being there 6 days a week felt like i had NO free time.

I think they may have to pay overtime for the Saturday bit ( its 3 45 minute classes every Sat) in order to get someone-- and the female thing isn't even in the ad now- I think they'll take anyone!

The no prep, no meetings bit is a bonus..but you're right to assume there is little accountablility for the ESL teacher. More emphasis is placed on the Korean teachers and their classes.

Anyways, thanks for the input.