Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FriedFreedom]

Yeah. I'm awesome. Just ask me

But in all seriousness, I'm fresh blood to this site and have a bit of a newbie question for you fine folks (please forgive me if this is covered somewhere else in the caf� and I haven't found the thread!)

I have a BA in English, a CELTA, and just finished a Graduate Certificate in Education (it's kinda like an MA but without the thesis). I've been tutoring ESL, academic English, and IELTS and TOEFL preparation for the past 4 yrs and have also taught EFL in SE Asia for about 8 mths, but on a mainly volunteer basis.

Yet alas, I have relatively little experience teaching in front of a classroom (I'd estimate approx. 100 hrs in total), and none of it on a full-time basis. (*tiny sigh*)

One recruiter I've spoken with told me that because of my relative inexperience I should expect about 2.1 - 2.3 million won p/mth, and I'm not too sure what to make of this. I was hoping I could get some of Dave's lovely Caf�-goers to weigh in... ? Given my above-listed qualifications and experience, what sort of salary and position should I rightfully be aiming for??

A kind thank-you in advance for any input/advice offered

[SeoulNate]

Depends on the job, area and working hours, but I would say you could reasonably get 100,000 won more per month than whatever the starting salary is for the place you will work.

This is for your CELTA. Your experience won't count and usually a major in English will not either, for that bonus you would need a major in Education or TOEFL.

[jrwhite82]

I assume you'll be applying from out of country.

How long do you want to wait to find a job? Do you need something ASAP?

If you are content holding out in your current living situation than wait for something with low hours, good apartment and good pay. (Maybe you can land 2.6 +/- 200,000 if you wait)

If you don't want to wait, 2.3-2.4 sounds reasonable.

2.1 is standard starting. Add 100,000 for your CELTA. Add 100,000 for your Grad Certificate (maybe). Then add another 100,000 for 8 months teaching/tutoring (maybe). So that's how I cam to the 2.3-2.4.

Listen, great jobs are out there, but they don't just fall on your lap unless A) you get lucky, B) you wait it out, or C) you are here to network.

I'm not sure what your current financial/living situation is. If you can afford to wait it out, then wait and search a lot to find something great. If you can't wait, then look at it like this. Every month you wait, is 2.3million you are losing.

Let's say you decide to come over in July (after getting all your paperwork together). So you take a 2.3 offered to you immediately. If you choose to wait until say November to find that 2.8 job thats 4 months of work you missed. 2.3x4 =9.2. At a 500,000W difference per month it would take you 18-20 months to make up that 9.2 you missed out on. (assuming you are making 0 income right now).

Those higher paying jobs are hard to get from out of country....heck, they're hard to get from IN country. It takes good timing, flexibility, and networking to land those jobs.

If its your first time to Korea, instead of focusing on the money, focus more on the location, living conditions and work hours. These will be much more important to you on your first go around. Once you decide to stick it out for another year (or few) that's when you make your move to a higher paying position.

[minos]

Try the gangnam public schools and apply for elite test prep schools. I think they'll hire you from abroad.

They're right up your alley.

Regular hagwons- ignore unless they pay you alot(2.7and higher).
Universities(maybe if your lucky).

[Ramen]

Op, how much did those shinning diploma and certificates cost you in thailand? i hope you got them apostilled.