Korean Job Discussion Forums

jjkorea · Joined: 28 May 2008

I found a great hogwan, but I've been hesitant to accept their offer only because of the salary: 2.0 mill./month.
I have one year of teaching in a public school in Seoul - which I'm currently finishing up - and I currently earn 1.8 (no comment.). I have no certif. background, but seeing what other hogwans have been offering me, which is 2.2 mill./month, how can I - or is it appropriate - negotiate the salary up to 2.2 million from 2.0 million??? This hogwan that I want to work for says that it's base salary for those who started working for them the first time, and the salary increases every year of renewal.

I really want to work for this hogwan, but I don't know if it'll turn them off if I say, "Yes, I'll work for you only if you see me worth 2.2 mill. rather than 2.0 mill."

How do I go about negotiating?!?! Or, is it appropriate to do so when I haven't accepted their offer yet?

Any word word of advice asap would be great, since I sat on this offer for the past week and a half. Thanks.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Can't be that great if they are only offering 2.0 mil. Ask for 2.5 mil and settle for 2.4 mil. There are plenty of hagwons offering 2.3 - 2.5 mil for those with teaching experience in korea.

Evanzinho · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Location: California

They're offering 2.0 to someone with experience?? I thought 2.2 was what newbies got?

Isn't there a "teacher shortage". So, shouldn't salaries be going up, not down? Rolling Eyes

jjkorea · Joined: 28 May 2008

This is a great hogwan, and reading the replies thus far....since I already have this one year down of teaching in a public school in Seoul and now that I'm entering my second year working in Seoul....should I really be asking for 2.4????

Everyone I interviewed working there said that first years at the hogwan (they didn't mention about experience/qualifications) earn 2.0 straight up.

It'd be hard to let this hogwan go...I just don't know what to say in terms of negotiation UP this "base" salary..

thanks.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

If they want you as a teacher as much as you want to work there, then it is possible to negotiate a slightly higher salary. I wouldn't be shooting for the moon, however. What is so great about the place? Please do give some details. Smile

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Do you have a great schedule?

Vacations?

2.4 minimum. If it's a great place to work, that's fine, but the reality of the situation can be summed up in two words: salary history.

Korea is tough, and you're only as good as you are expensive. Don't settle. The important thing is to go in strong. They have to know that you will walk.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

If you settle for 2.0 you're crazy, unless they're offering a lot of vacation time or other perks that you haven't mentioned. I made 2.0 3 years ago, and that was without any experience either. With 1 year of experience you should be able to command anywhere from 2.3-2.5

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

In a hagwon, that all depends on the schedule that you are working. If everyone teachers the same hours with the same benefits, then yes 2.0 is low.

I could have worked at my hagwon for a third year at the top of the salary scale for 2.7. I must add that would have been working from 9:30 until 6:40 everyday (148 avg teaching hours). No thanks!

Pete82 · Joined: 12 Apr 2008

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

I would be honest with them. Tell them you would like to work for them but at the present time there is a shortage of teachers due to the new regulations. Let them know you have been offered several jobs for 2.2 and ask them to refer to Dave's where they will see that 2.2 is now the "average" starting wage for instructors and you have one year of experience.

The key here is that you need to be prepared to walk away if they don't give in and it sounds like you would instead rather work here for 2.0. There are plenty of jobs out there for 2.2 and above. You have to decide what it is worth to you to work for this employer.

It may also help if you tell them that whatever you agree to will stay between you and the employer as you realize paying you more could cause them problems with other instructors. If they do pay you more, I would strongly advise keeping your mouth shut or you will find yourself at the center of a sheet storm.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

Pete82 · Joined: 12 Apr 2008

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Sorry, Joinme, but in this case you are dead, dead wrong. OP, don't think of this as if you were carrying on a negotiation in your home country. You're not.

It's all about face here. If you tell them that they are fantastic employers, and that you are super happy, then they'll be insulted if you ask for more.

Be indifferent. State your salary goal. Win. As a recourse, you could tell them that if 2.0 is all they can offer, then you'll have to quit because you want them to succeed, and they can't afford you. They'll need to hire a cheap teacher, but as you like them, you'll understand. It's all about trying to be modest and putting the ball in their court.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

There's a really severe teacher shortage, OP. Having said that, it doesn't mean that most schools are aware of it...they aren't.

2.0 is very low for a hogwon. My hogwon just went to 2.4 and is having a tough time even getting a no experience teacher for that.

I'd tell them 2.5, settle for 2.3 (minimum) but keep looking.