Korean Job Discussion Forums

Metsuke · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Ok, so if you decide to fly down to Korea and check out schools, apartments ect... versus doing the negotiation overseas type gig...

Heres what I would like to know from some of the experienced posters...

How do you find good schools?

How do you find advertised positions, other than the ones listed here on Daves which I seem to think are arranged with the overseas model in place?

If you foot the bill to fly down, is it common practice for your new employer to reimburse your air fare?

If you come in person, can you get a higher monthly wage on average because you and your employer can check each other out a bit?

Should I go after the Hagwons, or the private/middle schools?

Can you negotiate lower hours & more pay more on average this way?

What other tips and tricks can you recommend with this approach?

You guys, thank you so much! I know the more experienced people here don't have to give so much of their time, but drinks and dinner is on me if you help and I'm in your area!

T Smile

peppermint · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:45 pm Post subject:

Finding a school- word of mouth, the job sites ( Worknplay, Seoul metropolitan job site- google these)

Finding a good school: Do your research. Ask to talk to teachers there, and/ or people who've recently finished their contracts, Google the school's name to see if it's on any blacklists. Find out about the area too, it can make a big difference.

Wether to go for public school or not. . Personally, I'd say no to almost anyone who's new to Korea and new to teaching. It's much easier to learn how to teach when you've got ten kids, than when you've got 40, and in most cases you'd be the only foreigner which would be tough when you're dealing with culture shock.

As for contract negotiations: You can usually negotiate small benefits- stuff like arranging vacation time, what might be in your apartment and things like that, but they usually won't budge on pay.

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I think the main advantage of being here while on the job hunt is being able to make sure that your prosepctive school/boss/housing is acceptable rather than a surprise. Also, some jobs (better ones) prefer to interview people, so you will have access to apply to better positions. It also goves you an advantage in getting a job where you are competing with others who are not there.

However, I doubt that they will pay you more just because you're there. Some schools will reimburse airfare, while others will only pay for your visa run instead.

Apple Scruff · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

#1: Learn the difference between "your" and "you're".

Ha.

Metsuke · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for pointing that out. It was very useful and on topic to what we are discussing. You must be a very good teacher indeed.

T

Apple Scruff · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

Don't mention it.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

In korea(as with all of Asia) it is more about connections.

I got all my jobs here(baring my first one) by making connections with various people and this has helped me out a lot.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

When I find out how it's done, I'll be sure and let you know. I've been here 3 years and I am still looking for that "better job". Laughing

The best job I've had so far was the first one, and it had its rough spots.

If you got any kind of real qualifications, avoid hagwans all together.
Better schools look for people with a BEd.

If you are like me, with just a BFA, then you'll have to take what you can get.

Not that there aren't any better hagwan jobs out there.......... I just wish I knew where they were. Laughing

Happy hunting.

Metsuke · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Kangnamdragon,

Dude... you need to chill out.

http://www.expatinkorea.com/expat/viewtopic.php?t=1702

T

Scott in HK · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject:

Typing 'your' for "you're" by most native speakers is neither a typo nor 'ignorance'...as most people with education backgrounds could tell you.

It would be consider a miscue (maybe) but it is simple a mix-up in your head as you type...thinking one thing and typing another. It does not mean that you don't know the difference...it means you were typing too fast and made a mistake.

Calling it ignorance (in most cases) is displaying your own ignorance..or ignoring the reality of the situation so you can make an uncalled for knock against someone.

I firmly believe in this post as I am always typing 'there' for 'their' when writing papers....

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Scott in HK · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:27 pm Post subject:

Actually...I had one professor mark in big red letters on a paper "ed" as I so often forgot to add it...and was often too lazy to proof my papers...

which is one the main reasons the mistakes get through...laziness not ignorance...

but the point remains..you ask someone to spell the contraction of 'you are' and mose people will spell it correctly...

maybe i could pretend that I did on purpose to prove my point....I would put a smiley in here but I really hate emoticons....

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Scott in HK · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:32 am Post subject:

turtle...

I am no longer Scott in HK...I am in Incheon....never got around to telling Dave to change my ID...

been here since October...