Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollum]

My school wants to know what I want to do about next year, only they want to negotiate in September. That will be 6 months before my contract expires.

It sounds like I don't have a choice on this.

I really like my school, and they seem to like me. Then again, I don't ever trust Koreans just at face (learned that one).

The problem I have with it is that it seems like I could get a higher offer with some schools, which appear to be posting above 2.4 in many cases (I'm making 2.0). I'd rather wait at least 3 or 4 more months to think about it all.

Any thoughts?

[VanIslander]

Start thinking about it, earlier than you wanted to.

You are in a good negotiating position. It sounds like they want you there, and you would save them a lot of recruitment cost in terms of money and time. Plus, from their perspective, you are the devil they know, as opposed to the one they don't (they could end up with someone they wouldn't at all want, who might even pull a midnight run).

You are in the position to ask for more money. You can go from 2.0 to 2.2 no problem, if they have trouble finding a good replacement and if the hagwon is doing alright financially. You might get 2.4 elsewhere but it could be a much worse position.

They want an early decision and you want to take your time: So tell them you need two months to think about it. You DO have a choice - as long as you are willing to risk the possibility that they will look elsewhere if you don't re-negotiate in September. There are plenty of positions out there so what have you to lose? Take some time now and over the next two or three months to figure out what you really want and basically need in a second contract.

Perhaps give them a set date you'll decide by. For example, a date in November exactly three months before the end of your contract.

They need you more than you need them. Be nice about it, but negotiate from a position of strength.

Remember: You have a choice! You choose to take your time and they will either live with it or find someone else for their second year. 'I suspect they will give you another two months to decide if you assert it as what you need, non-negotiable.

Don't be pushed around. You have options. Don't make a rushed decision you might regret.

[hellofaniceguy]

Many variables come into play in your situation. First off, you should ask the owner is he/she wants you to stay on another year. If it is a positive yes, then ask them what the pay increase will be. If it's a 100.000. I'd say forget it. 100.000 is just one students tuition for a month.
Has enrollment grown since you started teaching? Has this school been in business for many years?
Most hakwons do not want teachers to stay on; they don't want to pay more money when they will be able to find another person to work for cheap wages.
If your school has a large enrollment, many teachers both foreign and korean, then I'd say that the school owner can well afford to pay the going rate which seems to be way above 2.0.
You have to do the math yourself, as only you know the enrollment, etc.
6 months seems rather early. But at least they are preparing!
Why are you working anyway??
Money! Right!? Well then, get the best deal you can! I hear all the time, ��I like my school, etc. and I don��t care if I get low wages, etc., I��m happy with my school, etc��well then I say, teach for free!��
No?
Then it��s all about the money.
Another school will offer you more no doubt. Tell the school to match the salary. If not, you have nothing to lose by leaving because it��ll only prove that the school you are at does not care enough about you or your ability to increase your salary.

[Gollum]

Good and bad...

I'm in a Government-paid position at a Private high school. It's one of those Kyunggi jobs where the government paid my job. Last year they said they couldn't pay me above 2.0 because that's all they could get from the government. I don't believe that is entirely true, since I see other jobs offered by the gov't for more money.

I'll try to negotiate, but I'm not thinking i'll get anything. According to the teacher who was here previously, they wouldn't budge on pay, then wouldn't even put any money forth to place ads on Daves or other sites. Only free sites. In her words, they are lucky they found me (and I was almost at the last minute, too).

They are really picky, and the other teachers who experience who talked to them wouldn't settle for 2.0, so they had a rough going at finding someone.

My thoughts are that they want me to commit early, or give them more time to find someone else.

[ryleeys]

My school has been trying to get a commitment from me for a second year since January... and I came here in November!

My biggest problem is trying to convince them that I'll stay (so that I don't get screwed out of last month's pay, severence, and airfare) even though I have no intention of staying whatsoever.

[inkoreaforgood]

No pay raise = seriously think about leaving. Unless you get other good perks, anyone with a year of experience can do better. If you have paid vacations, good housing and location, and just feel comfortable, well, 2 mil isn't bad at all. Otherwise, tell them straight up that you want a pay increase. If they say no, then start looking for other work. I think that about 1.5-2 months before the end of your contract, they'll ask you if you have found work. You say that you've had some good interviews (even if you haven't), and that you are considering which job to take. I have worked at places where they are really stingy, and they always have a hard time finding teachers. They CANNOT be without a foreign teacher, as heads will roll!!!

[FUBAR]

I was in the same position with my school. They only got a certain amount from their budget and could not exceed that.

The main reason is because they get audited. Our principal just got a horrible review on the audit, so everything is done by the book.

They would have paid to find a new teacher on a site, but I found them a new guy thru a different site. That being said, some of the resumes I looked thru were horrible. One guy even sent me a photo of him shirtless...

[phaedrus]

[osangrl]

Gollum said:

[Michelle]

On the upside at least they are not as disorgansied as other places, who are always finding a teacher at the last minute, even though they knew they needed one earlier.



On the down side, my BF renewed at his school and nowadays he is finishing the next year the school has changed. They gave him a good apartment but they know he's a sure thing so he is getting sooo many extra classes, gets cheated on overtime and insurance. Also since they treated him so nicely, he gets to talk to all of the prospective new teachers! .

So do stand up for yourself and be careful about what you agree to in the new contract. Ask for extra overtime pay.

[Gollum]

Osangirl:

Are you actually quoting me from someplace, or do you like to just type in something, put it in quotes, and say I said it?

With housing cost and perks included, that would be about correct for my pay, however.