Korean Job Discussion Forums

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

So I've been reading these boards for the past week or so in preparation for leaving for SK in a few months. Here is the general gist I've gotten from the FAQ forum and this one:

It doesn't matter what your contract says-if your director is a snake he won't hesitate to try and change it on you.

It doesn't matter what you're told about accommodations- if your director is a snake he will lie to you about them before you get here.

It doesn't matter what you're told about proximity to the school--if your director is a snake he will lie and say a mile walk is five minutes.

Blacklists/Greylists/Whitelists are based too much on revenge to be useful.

So....is it really just luck that you get placed in a good Hagwon your first year?

trinity24651 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

John - I am SO with you on this one!!! Shocked

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Bit of luck and some experience.

If you come ready to go to full battle when fight is brought on to you and have never surrander and bend over attitude, you'll be fine.

Don't be a poossy. People here prey on insecure and indecisive FTs. Be firm and show them you're able and ready to take the next flight out of here if they try to screw you in any way.

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

Where are you in VA trinity?

trinity24651 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

John - I PM'd you.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

I think it's mostly luck, but I you can increase your odds by doing some research: yes, the blacklists are often based on revenge, but if you ONLY find horrendous things about a particular school, I'd say avoid it.

And try to get the email addresses of teachers who have worked at the school or are currently working at your school. Directors who don't have anything to hide should be willing to put you in touch with some former teachers. Unless they're just reeeally paranoid.

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

If it is your first contract and you don't know much about here it is a bit about a luck, it is a crapshoot...

However, the longer you are here the less luck should play a part as you should have made ample connections by then and know where is good and where is not so good.....

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

Mostly luck: but make sure you talk to a couple of the teachers who have been there for almost a year (or more preferably). Talk to the person you're replacing. Get their email because they may be sitting in the bosses office talking to you.

Second year is when you can get a decent job.

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

I think it does mostly have to do with luck and how much you know. Some people are being screwed over by their employer and have no idea when it comes to taxes and pension and what not. A friend of mine was taxed for his airfare and he had no problem with it. I don't know the tax laws but it seems sketchy to me.

The only thing that can help you is having a good contract and talking to the current teachers. The contract won't prevent the boss from trying to change a few things but as long as you have hours clearly laid out and salary and deductions then at least you have some power and don't have to submit to anything not in the contract. It might make things tense at work though.

The apartment and stuff you are pretty much powerless. Even if they send you photos or whatever they might not send you the right ones or they could be years old. My apartment definitely didn't look like the picture they sent.

Don't trust the current teachers either. The boss will be there in the room and the unspoken agreement is that the teacher will try to sell the school to the new guy.

It's mostly luck but if you can negotiate a good contract it means it can't be one of the worst ones.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

But how do you even get hired in the first place? I'm not finding anyone who will negotiate on a contract. If you want something different than what they offer, you're shown the door and you never hear from them again. So how are you supposed to even negotiate what you're looking for?

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

A little luck and a lot of research. Prepare a list of questions for which you want definite answers, preferrably from the current teaching staff. Accept very littl at face value. If something in the contract bothers you, ask for it to be changed or removed. You choose! Smile

Voyeur · Joined: 19 Jun 2003

There is a high degree of luck in yoru first job if you apply from overseas.

But there is a lot you control as well. However if you are rushed to get over here - and many are by no fault of their own - the luck factor goes up.

Coming here with a combat mentality is a recipe for disaster. there is no one silver-bullet mentaility for survival and success here. There are times for a war footing - but remember that everything is pretty much scorch and burned after the first go around when you go to battle with your hogwon. You had better have an exit strategy - prolonged entanglements with a Hogwon you are going to try to still work at for a long time is just not a recipe for happiness.

Voyeur · Joined: 19 Jun 2003

There generally isn't that much negotiation - it tends to be more about shopping around. That is why you need time.

You can often "negotiate" by getting them to put verbal promises into the contract if they were not already. And you might be able to get a signing bonus or maybe 100,000 /mo more than what was offered. But most do not want to upset current teachers by offering new guy way more than they are getting.