Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lastat06513]

Hey,

On Saturday, I was offered a job at the Exchange New Car Sales that is contracted to the Army by AAFES.
Basically, I'll be the "Al Bundy" of selling cars in Korea. But before I jump at the chance, I'll tell more about the job.

Background
~ There are 23 employees koreawide
~15% turn over rate annually
~ Average salary between $18,000 to $118,000 a year (average
salesman making $50,000)
Pros
~ SOFA visa (with benefits!)
~ A chance to move on to another agancy after 1 year
~ A chance to get away from teaching

Cons
~ 100% commission
~ 7-days/week workweek until I form a customerbase
~ working outside
~ almost no holidays the first year


What is your feedback on this?
Also, any sales advice given will be a big PLUS+

[VanIslander]

If you have the financial base to support yourself for at least three months before any substantial income comes in, and you have some flexibility with your work schedule (Do they insist you be there from opening to closing seven days a week?), then I say: Go for it.

You obviously have some interest in sales. Have you done it before?

My first job was right after high school in a Men's Wear store for eight months, with a minimum wage plus commission. I did well and thrived, but always appreciated the psychological safety net of a minimum wage. When in university I took a commission-only summer job selling Rainbow Home Purification Systems, er, water-based, multi-purpose vacuum cleaners at least it was by appointment (not door to door, thankfully). I only lasted half the summer because of two reasons: 1) After making $2,200 in two days of work, I went three weeks with nothing and the insecurity and uncertainty of a paycheque was agonizing; 2) I didn't like myself selling expensive equipment to people who bought my pitch but should've been using the money for other basics, like on their children, IMO. I learned a valuable lesson that summer: You don't have to lie to feel dishonest. I quit. And have never sold a thing since, not even of my own.

You may have the personality and the constitution to be a good car salesman, and you may never really know until you try. Ask yourself this: "What have I got to lose?" It could at least be a learning experience. And if it doesn't work out, it's not like you sacrificed other options, is it? You could always return to teaching or go elsewhere, couldn't you?

Good luck, whatever you do.

[just because]

I would do it just for the change.
I like sales as well and find it would really wake you up after teaching here.

You can look at it as you being your own boss which I'm sure would give a lot more self-satisfaction and control than ever working in a hagwon. On that reason alone I would do it.

[lastat06513]

The only reason I'm thinking of taking it (and now kind of sure I will...) is because it will allow me to get the SOFA visa.

Why is that important to me?

I was told by the DoD Personnel Manager that most jobs are for:

1. Prior employees
2. Family Members
3. Soldiers with extra free time (in Korea, there isn't)

If I'm offered that job, I will now fall into one of the three catagories.
After about 6 months to a year, I can apply for another position within the DoD system, one with regular pay and benefits.
But for now, I'll do this to get the benefits coming in and then do privates at night to make money to live (and hopefully, to save).

It'll be gruelling, but I think the outcome will be beneficial in the long run.

To all of you, thanks for the encouragement!!!
I'll be getting a phone call on Wednesday as to where I will be working, which I hope is Seoul (but I'm not banking on it).

I'll let you know about the outcome then.

But until that time, keep the feedback rollin'!