Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

Sorry if this is a bit vague or general (I have mainly public school experience and am not familiar with the hagwon recruiting process) but I may have to look for a hagwon position for the first time because of my contract ending date and a possible loss of severance if I don't finish my contract early.

How should I prepare for any potential hagwon position? Should I insist on going to the hagwon before signing, meet the current native teacher or the one i'm replacing, meet the rest of the staff? What are the tell tale signs that would suggest you should keep away from there?

[pmwhittier]

The things I look at on a quick, first review of a school are:
1. How long have they been around?
2. How many teachers (Korean/Native)?
3. Anything about them on the blacklist or Facebook?
4. Google them.
5. Ask about benefits. If they don't pay pension, then they're willing to cheat you on anything and everything.
6. Ask about tax rate. 3.3% is an automatic no.
7. Is it a good location?
8. If I can, I speak to a current teacher. But you really have to know how to read people's responses. The current teacher is afraid of retribution for truthful answers that may hurt the school's reputation, so they often won't give the "whole" truth. It's not their fault, but it happens A LOT.

Check Facebook for local job groups. They tend to have listings from the actual teachers in addition to recruiters, so you can find better options there rather than just using the job board here or recruiters alone.

Good luck!

[schwa]

Sound advice above. Since you're in Korea, I'd add:
9. Visit the hagwon in person during working hours. That might speak volumes.

I can't figure out what you're saying below. Are you sure that's right?

[gigi120]

6. Ask about tax rate. 3.3% is an automatic no.


?

What tax rate is a yes then? I thought 3.3% was the norm.