|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: How's the current job market? |
 |
|
-The US labor force participation rate has fallen by about three percentage points since the Great Recession. Of that decline, Barclays thinks two points are due to population aging. The rest it blames on less participation within various age groups.
-The US still has participation rates higher than Germany, Japan, and the UK.
-US female participation peaked in the mid-90′s and has since been trending downwards, while in Germany, Japan, and the UK the rate continued to inch higher.
Less women working...maybe because they don't have to? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 7:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I've considered it. There is a surplus of well qualified people in Korea now. You could talk about the British Council again, but in Korea switched over to only hiring F-visa holders |
Where's your evidence for
A) there being a surplus of well qualified people in Korea now
B) The BC now only hires people with an F visa. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: How's the current job market? |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
motiontodismiss
Joined: 18 Dec 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| Underwaterbob wrote: |
This plus a shit economy |
I don't see the economy ever being as strong as it was (unless reunification occurs).
| Quote: |
| Not that it couldn't pick back up. |
Once again..unless reunification happens, ESL is largely doomed in Korea. I predict:
|
When reunification happens, Korea's going to hell in a handbasket. The Korean government doesn't have the leadership to lead the country through a painful, protracted, EXPENSIVE reunification process (nor does it have the money).
Germany's reunification bill came out to 3 trillion dollars...this is twice South Korea's GDP and like 100 times North Korea's. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 8:57 pm Post subject: Re: How's the current job market? |
|
|
| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| For young Americans, unemployment returns to pre-recession levels |
Not only that, but...
| Quote: |
| Jobless claims in the UK are currently at their lowest level in four decades. |
| Quote: |
| Wage growth, the spotlight of the report, experienced a 2.7% rise in April. Wage growth came in at 2.3% in March, and expected growth for April had been 2.1%. Private sector job growth remained strong in April, with 3.3% growth |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
A) I've talked to people in charge of hiring. The number of people with qualifications is skyrocketing. Doesn't mean there's a surplus, maybe there was a dearth before
B) I've seen the BC ads posted on Dave's. Doesn't mean they're switching to F visa holders exclusively. Most BC teaching centers employ hourly paids. Korea probably just started recently due to their change in business status.
You're a bit of a glass is half empty sort of guy aren't you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wooden nickels
Joined: 23 May 2010
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| motiontodismiss wrote: |
| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| Underwaterbob wrote: |
This plus a shit economy |
I don't see the economy ever being as strong as it was (unless reunification occurs).
| Quote: |
| Not that it couldn't pick back up. |
Once again..unless reunification happens, ESL is largely doomed in Korea. I predict:
|
When reunification happens, Korea's going to hell in a handbasket. The Korean government doesn't have the leadership to lead the country through a painful, protracted, EXPENSIVE reunification process (nor does it have the money).
Germany's reunification bill came out to 3 trillion dollars...this is twice South Korea's GDP and like 100 times North Korea's. |
Most of the Korean adults I have talked with about this issue have told me the overall same thing and that they don't want to reunite because of the financial burden. I think if the numbers on the cost of reunification are put up and it should come to a vote that +75% of the votes would be against it. Even if the mighty leader up North wants to reunite I don't believe the Southern brothers will want it. I think it's cheaper and a financial benefit for the South to keep up the border. The only people I really ever talk to that think reunification is a good idea are university males that seem to think it would eliminate them from doing military duty. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
beentheredonethat777
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: AsiaHaven
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:34 am Post subject: Re: How's the current job market? |
|
|
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| How are you finding the job market in Korea now? I'm guessing better than 2011 - 2012ish but still pretty bad? I realize there is no pre 2009 rebound. Just curious how many of you looking into hakwons and the like are finding things. |
When I came here several years ago, I started at 2.5.
The recent listings JULY are 1.6- 2.1
Many of the new post say part-time but full E-2 Visa avail/ 1.5
What the heck?
I had no idea things had gotten this bad.
#Wishing I had kept my old job, right about now#
called my boss, he had already hired a Korean man who can speak English pretty well for 1.6! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| MotiontoDismiss wrote: |
| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| I don't see the economy ever being as strong as it was (unless reunification occurs). |
When reunification happens, Korea's going to hell in a handbasket. The Korean government doesn't have the leadership to lead the country through a painful, protracted, EXPENSIVE reunification process (nor does it have the money). |
That's just alarmist hysteria.
yes there would be initial problems but in the longer term the north has an unlimited supply of very cheap labour. It will be sad to see southern businessmen putting up ugly apartment blocks all over the pristine north but the fact is the north represents a huge potential for economic growth. As it is now, growth in the south is stagnating, it has hit a brick wall. Nowhere to go. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
trueblue
Joined: 15 Jun 2014
Location: In between the lines
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| That's just alarmist hysteria |
...care to elaborate on that more? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PRagic
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: "As it is now, growth in the south is stagnating, it has hit a brick wall. Nowhere to go."
Korea, at the firm, regional, and national levels, is experimenting with paradigm shifts to avoid this. They're pro-actively pursuing growth streams that will enable competitiveness going forward, way forward.
By most measures, anyone who has bet against Korea's long-term potential to succeed, even in what may have been construed as hyper-competitive global industries and markets, has lost their chips. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: How's the current job market? |
|
|
| beentheredonethat777 wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| How are you finding the job market in Korea now? I'm guessing better than 2011 - 2012ish but still pretty bad? I realize there is no pre 2009 rebound. Just curious how many of you looking into hakwons and the like are finding things. |
When I came here several years ago, I started at 2.5.
The recent listings JULY are 1.6- 2.1
Many of the new post say part-time but full E-2 Visa avail/ 1.5
What the heck?
I had no idea things had gotten this bad.
#Wishing I had kept my old job, right about now#
called my boss, he had already hired a Korean man who can speak English pretty well for 1.6! |
I don't think any foreigner is going to accept 1.6 or even less than 2.1. Maybe they'll hire a Korean. But not us. If the job is part time and has low hours or lots of free time maybe. I wouldn't do it.
Hiring Koreans isn't new. It really depends on the demands of parents. Many want a native speaker. Some do not or are not willing to pay the price for one.
Either way, the ed office in many areas regulate the price to 150,000 won a month and maybe another 30,000 if two tests are given. This was a few eyars ago. So, 180,000 a month charged per student. Two classes of six each with 12 students in each one. That;s 144 students. My friends academy a few years ago was sometimes off that figure. It usually averaged from 90 to 125. Let's say just one hundred students. That's 18 million won a month in income. There are expenses like electricity, even with ehating and air con is not that expensive. Paying a Korean teacher, paying a native speaker. Korean teacher 1.5 to 2.0 million a month. A native speaker with apartment, flight, insurances, salary could be 2.6 to 3.4 total. My friend had two teachers, a native and a Korean. Let's say that costs 4.5 million amonth. They rented a photo copy machine for 85,000 a month. Maybe 200,000 or 300,000 for electric bill (no gas). Maybe a hakwon hiores an office manager instead of doing it themselves. Another 1.5 million or two? Let's say total expenses are seven million won.
Well, 18 million won minus seven million won equals 11 million won in profit. Some of this may be kept for odd replacement of materials, computer, cards, games, etc. If you have a large number of students and you're good at your teaching and kids like you a lot, then you know your boss has got the cash to pay. You can demand a pay raise if you renew if you're good. He can afford it. If there are less students, well not so much. Even if the boss paid you 3 million in exchange for having someone reliable for a few eyars and someone who will work or plan good materials, etc is peace of mind to him rather than having to hire someone new every year. (Of course logic and Korea don't always go together.)
If the academy has less students and the parents are paying late, then your pay will be late and they'll be on the margins. You should make your exit plans as soon as possible or at elast anticipate not getting your bonus. Line up another job for your second year and then you're here to fight them if they don't pay the severance. If they say they'll pay after you've left and you actually go home, you might as well put the word sucker on yuor forehead if you actually leave.
Either way, know your value, know how many clients there are, how much the kids like you, especially if the [arents know you a bit. bargain ahrd with the boss for that second year and a higher salary. (You know he's making the dough if he's got a lot of students.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: How's the current job market? |
|
|
| Adventurer wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| How are you finding the job market in Korea now? I'm guessing better than 2011 - 2012ish but still pretty bad? I realize there is no pre 2009 rebound. Just curious how many of you looking into hakwons and the like are finding things. |
Some people are trying to leave Korea, including veterans. I have a good job, but my salary has gone down at my uni. Due to a decrease in enrollment, they reduced our pay. Things are not looking up, generally.
However, there are definitely jobs out there i.e. hagwons and some universities are hiring, but it's not close to as good as it once was, IMHO. And add on top of that the health cost of having more pollution. No thanks. |
Cuts are coming down into the southern parts of teh country which were spared until now. (I knew they would come eventually as I had watched SMOE and GEPIK since 2012.) Though I know the private hakwons were quick to take a beating in 2009 locally. Still seem to be many around, though many still applying? I do see more older people working in them compared to 2009 to 2011ish. More older people pre 2009 in Korea too.
Others are right about reduction in vacation days. Even with me having climbed the salary scale taking me quite a few years to do it. Got to the highest level in 2012, but inflation will be eating at that. Costs are definately going up. Thankfully the exchange rate has gone up quite a bit the last 18 months. Makes the acceleration of debt repayment better after slowing down from 2008 to 2013 due to a low won value.
So, for now, with some mdoest overtime, multiple school allowances, and renewal allowance, does put me into the low 3.0's? 2.0 million won in 2006 is just over 2.6 million won today in 2015 assuming 3% inflation. I was under 2.0 as the EPIK pay scales were lower then and the renewal allowance was flight reimbursement and if you didn't go home you didn't get it. Now, you can stay in Korea and pocket it many years. Got a bit of overtime, but no multiple school allowances back then. Maybe 1.8 salary first year with 100,000 for living in the country. A bit of overtime (not much in my rural area), but enough to bring my monthly average first year up to 2.0 million a month.
So, I'm beating the system slightly, I guess. 3 % inflation will bring my salary back to where it was when I frist got here by early 2020's? But factor in the lower exchange rate for quite a few years and my higher living costs and expenses living in a larger city. I need a car which I didn't have before. Have to pay some more tax. Have to pay for school lunches I didn't pay before. So, I'm prob much closer to my first year salary due to these other factors coming into play. Reality, so much goes home, if my debts were paid off and I took a pay cut due to having to go hakwon, I guess it would be tolerable for a time. But there's no way a 2.0 million or 2.1 salary would cut it. I'd be gone to China or Vietnam if that were the case. I'd negotiate for 2.4 or 2.5. (That's enough of a pay cut already.) Maybe I'd take a crap wage for a year just to tie up loose ends and stay and then make plans to jump ship. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=35898
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=35870
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=36873
Actually, China board as a whole. I'm told many areas are more desperate and with experience you can negotiate higher. If no free apartment, it's up to you to negotiate higher in big cities. But there's no reason you can't land a 14 to 16 k RMB gig with free apartment or getting an apt allowance. (Maybe down to 13 or 14 if you choose to get a nice place.)
Google too. I've ssen vietnam in the 1800 to 2000 US dolalr range with free housing too. Other places, Middle east picking up again a bit. Plus if you have a few eyars teaching experience ehre and can prove it, there's always opportunities with an in class TESOL
My above examples not the greatest, but bnot so terrible either. (Even Japan with 270,000 Yen.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
