Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noobteacher]

Ugh, I had a feeling this would happen. I want to preface that I feel lucky to be in this situation, but I'm looking for a little outside perspective.

This past week I verbally accepted a job with a very good school, good benefits, in Gyeonggi-do but with Seoul easily accessible, and the school has mailed out the contract for me to sign and return to start the transfer process. Then today, I received on offer for interview (not actual job offer, but in my experience an interview almost always leads to an offer) from a very prestigious school in Seoul, same age of students, about the same salary and hours, twice as much vacation, and much closer to Seoul city.

Because I already have contracts coming to me from one school, would I be completely terrible to see where the interview with the second school goes? Would it be considered just part of the "game"? Should I refuse the interview and just not put myself in that situation in the first place?

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

[Skippy]

Check it out. A school does not own you till they have your visa paperwork done. Go to the other place, check it out. Just be careful of timing, wait too long and an opportunity will go.

[cheezsteakwit]

If it can't hurt you , why not take the interview ?? Thre's nothing worse than the "itch you can never scratch" ... no regrets !!!

As Wayne Gretzky would say , ' You will always miss the shots you DON'T take."

[rhizome]

I'd stick with the job I accepted. At the end of the day, my word is one of the few things I've really got.

I'd also give the other job my regrets and tell them I'd already given my word to another school, asking them to keep me in mind for next year. If I knew someone on the ground that I liked, trusted and knew was looking for a gig, I'd give their name to the person who offered to interview me.

That way, the verbal agreement is honoured, the school I sign with doesn't have a story about why "you just can't trust those foreigners," and the better-sounding situation is not only a possibility for next year, but they might also have a better opinion of my character, which is half the job interview right there.

[koreatimes]

There are other posters on this forum who are willing to take a Gyeonggido position, maybe you can pass it over to them. It's not like there is a lack of teachers.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=214578

[Swampfox10mm]

It happens all if the time at the university level.... a teacher gets a better job and takes that instead. It is still early. I would interview for the better job and take it if offered. Especially if you have not seen a contract from the.first school. My uni waits until the absolute last minute to give us a contract. It is a control thing, mixed with laziness, but their own fault when a new hire bolts before getting one to sign.

We also lose people after a contract has been signed. Usually they say they have decided to return home instead, which is a safe answer compared to �I took a better job.� But we all know what likely happened.

[wjf1]

Exhaust all your options until you've signed on the dotted line.

[noobteacher]

Thanks for all the responses! To be honest it almost makes the decision harder because both sides have compelling points. I have already started building rapport with the Director of the first school, and as someone mentioned, to me my word is gold and I try to honor that in all situations. But on the other side, the second offer would be great addition to my teaching experience as well as look pretty good on the ol' resume.

Grrrr...I hate big decisions like this haha. Will probably sleep on it one more night and make up my mind tomorow, but I would still be interested in hearing any other compelling arguments that people might have for me.

[noobteacher]

[plchron]

if it makes you feel better, the director has probably offered the position for school number 1 to 10 people by now and is waiting for the first contract to be mailed back to him signed.

[jeremysums]

Always have back up plans.

[noobteacher]

Ok, so as an update, I decided to stick with my original offer. When I got the contract, it included a few things that sweetened the deal a bit, and the other school was already being a pain in the rear about things which helped make the decision easier. I should have known that dealing with prestige means bending over backwards for their every little whim which is honestly not worth it to me right now, especially when I already have an excellent offer in my hands.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for your thoughts and advice!

[rhizome]

Thanks for the update! This is good news.

With that verbal agreement, the contract in hand and ready to sign, as well as having spent time developing a good rapport with the boss for a job in a place you liked with good benefits and salary... Why throw all of that over for a few extra days off and a better brand name?

Mucho props to you for being one less person playing games. I hope your new gig works out well.