Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphakennyone]

I applied for a job with a so-called public school through a recruiter co. called BCR (the ad led me to believe I was applying directly the job). The recruiter called and started advertising a hagwon for adults - she tried and tried to convince me despite my objections to split shifts etc (saying "oh, you don't want to be a babysitter" etc). THEN she finally started advertising the public elementary school I applied for (shows real dedication, eh?)

So I talk to the director, get a crappy offer: 1.9 mil won a month, 1-2 weeks of vacation (i thought the big public school perk was long vacations???), and the rest.

Catch: I don't have my diploma yet. Thus I didn't sign the contract and figured I'd end up rejecting the offer. But the recruiter jumped the gun, already reserved an air ticket for me, and is DESPERATE that I call my university and rush my diploma in the mail (which I may be able to do next month).

Do I have any bargaining position to try to get a higher wage? It seems like the only "advantage" they are selling me over YES Youngdo and other reputable hagwons is that it "looks better on my resume."

Honestly, I don't care if this shady recruiter screwed up and loses some money over this plane ticket.

[oxfordstu]

This recruiter sounds a bit shady to me. I wouldn't trust anything he/she says. Ask to talk to the school directly, and any foreign teachers that might work there. 1.9 is too low for almost any teaching job in Korea, including public school teaching. There are loads of other recruiters that will get you into public schools. Hell, I've even seen a few public schools advertise for jobs themselves. I'd keep looking.

[Gopher]

Recruiters associated with the Korean EFL insdustry are shameless liars, frauds, parasitical bottom feeders, and unworthy to breathe our air. Collect them and send them to 'gitmo or find something worse. I'll pull the trigger, and will aim only to wound for the first hour -- and I won't loose any sleep over it.

In any case, don't deal with them. Not ever. Deal with the devil or with sub-human loan sharks in the Russian mafia or sell your children into the Chinese circus before you deal with Korean EFL recruiters. You'll get a better, much more up-front deal.

But if people are maneuvering to use you...well, when in Rome or when getting caught up in Asian-style corrupt business practices...I've heard on the EFL-Law site that some foreigners use recruiters and local employers to get a free plane ride and then disappear into Korea, and take a vacation or look for another, better job or whatever...don't know the mechanics of it, but, hey, apparently it happens.

[jlb]

Why only 1-2 weeks with a public school job? Sounds suspiciously like a hagwon to me. Be wary.

[alphakennyone]

no idea why it's only 2 weeks vacation. they keep claiming it's a public school and the name of the, heh, "company" on the contract is "Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education" and signed by a "superintendent."

But yeah, I mean, at 1.9 million won, I may as well go with a hagwon.

I spoke with the school director too, and she sounds annoying and it seems like I'd be the only foreign english teacher. The job sounds really unattractive.

[Hyeon Een]

[alphakennyone]

haha yeah, that stephanie is a trip. I guess I'll drop the bomb on her today when she calls back..and I'm sure she will, she calls everyday. I hope it is as amusing for me as it was for you.

[fidel]

What's the problem? If you don't like the job just say no! Don't be pressured into some crap job. Come on, you're not a baby, act like an adult.

Sorry if this sounds a little harsh but you are in the driving seat so next time she phones all you have to say is no and hang up.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Be careful that this isn't a hogwan that wants to farm you out to a public school for a few hours a week.

Also, recruiters love to find a way to put 'public' in their adds, as they know what a crappy repuations children'ts howgans have amongst the EFL community.

[pompomouse]

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is EPIK/GEPIK for Seoul. The pay scale is between 1.7- 2.6 depending on credentials and experience. I am getting 2.6 and I have a B.Ed and some teaching experience. If you have an M.A. and was offered less than 2.0 I think that is a very shady recruiter indeed. The website for Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education did have all of this laid out (not sure if it is still there). If you are interested in working for them maybe you should contact them through their website rather than using a recruiter. Although they only offer two weeks vacation, as seems to be the standard now at many public school jobs.

[livinginkorea]

[crazylemongirl]

actually the sun is setting on public school jobs with good vacations. Thanks to GEPIK and SOME a lot of public school gigs get just two weeks.

[fidel]

[kermo]

In the GEPIK program, 2.3 is the highest salary they offer. It's 1.8 for no experience, 2.0 for some, and 2.2 with a teaching degree or TESL Cert. etc. You get an extra 0.1 if you are in a rural school. There were raises promised after the first year, but that has been rescinded.

[alphakennyone]

haha fidel, i have no problem with saying no and i feel no pressure. i merely wondered if i had any leverage in negotiating a higher salary. the fact that it was said that there is no penalty in cancelling a plane ticket answered my question. thanks, shuga.