Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dedalus]

I see many ads that offer between 2 and 3 million won but from what I gather, the vast majority of newcomers (with only a BA) will command about 2 million won, give or take 100,000. (I assume the upper limit in such ads is reserved for those with an MA and the like.) But at the same time, demand seems quite high and so I was wondering (for those newcomers looking around Seoul specifically) if it is possible to sign for 2.3 or more? What would a reasonable upper limit be for such an applicant? I ask this with an arrival date around November in mind, so I assume hagwons are the only option.

[elliemk]

Hakwons are NOT the only option. There are companies here who hire teachers to teach adults, people to write and edit, etc.
The jobs are not easy to find. But check out the large corporations here, like Hyundai, Samsung, etc. Do your research. Send complete resumes with your qualifications. Make phone calls (I use http://www.onesuite.com
You can make calls to Korea from the U.S. for less than $.03 a minute.
What have you done that's special? List it on your resume.
Good luck finding something that pays more than 2 million. It is doable, though many of the people who do it won't give you any advice about it, because they don't want the competition!

[bassexpander]

Many years ago, I landed a job at a hagwon that paid 2.2 per month. I was a newbee. The average at the time was 2.0. Things haven't changed much at all (except the exchange rate is much better for some).

You learn, after your first year, that it's not about how much money you can make at a school per month, it's about how many hours you work for what you get paid.

Then you do privates.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[RedRob]

Privates are beer money and trips to Thailand.

[elliemk]

Teaching privates is so risky. What good is beer and a trip to Thailand if you wind up getting deported!

[Snowmeow]

[bassexpander]

Yeah, I bragged that I was getting 2.2 to a few other teachers in my first week, who said they made 2.1. That's when I learned that they were teaching 3 to 4 hours per day for 2.1, but I was teaching 6 hours per day for 2.2.

[silentpartner2]

I thought I was getting the short end of the stick because I only make 1.9 as a newbie at a public school, but I teach a maximum 2.5 hours a day, and on Mondays only 80 minutes!

I don't even have to come in early but I do because I get a ride in the morning and I hate taking the bus. I get to go home after my last class though...I think I have it pretty good.

[paquebot]

I'd agree with everyone else about the importance of considering other details at a job and not just the salary. As a first-time teacher (although with some experiencing tutoring Koreans in the United States) I had a school in Bupyeong offer me 2.4 million and a school in Bucheon offer 2.5 million, but most offers were around 2.1 million per month.

In the end I signed a contract for 2.1 million Won per month because it came with (a) fewer working hours, (b) no unpaid prep time, and (c) a director who is genuinely caring and willing to help.

Keep in mind the other factors that will influence your quality of life in Korea -- making lots of money is great, but enjoying your time here will probably make you happier in the long run.

[Freakstar]

[missmarsters]

I agree about considering everything. BUT, I was offered 1.8-2.0 by two companies, with the promise of getting paid more after I had interviewed with the Director.

My third offer was 2.3, not including my housing and everything else I was looking for. It was bumped to 2.4, without my asking. They also paid for my plane ticket before I left. I found out later that they really needed a teacher due to problems with the previous FT. So, I was pleased.

Granted, I work a lot, almost my full 30hours, but it's worth it, and my school takes care of me (That is, no unpaid prep, no meetings, no fast ones having been pulled on me.)

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I thought that unpaid prep was just part of every job. We would have to come in an hour and a half early, then work six hours four ten minute breaks, and we got two million.

Yeah, it's best if you can negotiate.

[Oreovictim]

I started out at 2.1. The last two teachers got 2.2. Oh well. I did meet someone who managed to get 2.3 the first time around. As far as money, I would be worried about a job that paid too much. I'd figure that you'd have to work your a$$ off.

[Njord]

The lowest salary you can get is 1.9. If I were just starting out, I would probably set my minimum at 2.1 or so, but it isn't really important. You should spend your energy finding a school and a position that you are comfortable with and then try to negotiate. Do you want to teach young children, older children, or adults? Are you willing to have split shifts? Do you want to live in Seoul or in the country? Everything is possible, but there are financial trade-offs.

As a newbie, you should think long and hard about where you want to be spending your first year here. Think about the people you want to be working with. And ask lots of questions to find out if a school will be a good fit. I got 1.9 in my first year, but it was a fantastic experience and I'm still friends with my co-workers and keep in touch with my old boss. That's worth far more than another thousand dollars.