Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zackback]

Man I hate when I apply for a job and that question gets thrown at me either when applying through email or during the interview.
What's the deal with the higher ups not being upfront about it to potential employees from the get-go?

[fustiancorduroy]

They do that in the hopes that you say a number below what they are willing to pay, of course. That's why you have to be smart about what the market pays for your position and learn how to negotiate.

If you are asked that question, just say something along the lines of, "I would like a salary that is appropriate for someone with my qualifications and experience." If the potential employer asks again, then respond, "I would rather talk about salary after we have a chance to get to know each other better." If, at that point, they still want to talk about salary, it means that they are looking only for the person willing to work most cheaply, not the person who is most qualified, at which point you can probably pass on that job.

[Stan Rogers]

Allow me to translate for you.

"What is your expected salary?" is a Koreanized English question, if translated into western English means "How low will you go?"

[mnjetter]

I don't know about that (it being Koreanized, that is). I've actually been asked that twice in the United States, but never in Korea.

I just answer, with a grin, "As much as I can get." It gets a laugh every time, and if you can make them laugh, you will usually get the job.

[YTMND]

I actually prefer giving a figure so they know what to expect. Why ride on a 2.5-3.0 offer when they will just lower the salary to 2.1-2.3 anyway? If what you wanted was 2.4 for example, then it communicates from the beginning what you expect and the school can't later tell you that you didn't inform them.

Bump your current salary up a bit relative to the same workload and tell them that.

[timhorton]

I don't interview unless I know the salary in advance. If I were the OP I was suggest a salary range vs and exact figure. How's that for a piece if wisdom

[PatrickGHBusan]

It is annoying. When you see such job offers, you have two choices:

1- Move on to other job offers even if that offer was good because you are not confortable naming a salary figure yourself.

or.

2- Figuring out what you are worth (that is always easy!) on the market and asking for a clear figure, typically a bit higher than you think is right (that is a decent opening to negociation).

Still, this can be a crappy HR tactic and it can be very annoying for the applicant.

[young_clinton]

Make sure you don't appear to be too disperate to get a job by putting down a salary that is too low. Put down what you should be paid. They will give you what they want to give you anyway.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

In Korea the salary is usually stated, and if it isn't I don't apply.

Back home they hardly ever state the salary. It's annoying, because there are some where they are only willing to pay a low rate, and if you knew you wouldn't waste your time applying. And for good jobs, they usually don't mention salary until a 2nd interview.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Charlie Bourque]

What would a B.A./B.Ed Second Language Education + CELTA + 1 Year Exp be worth, in your eyes? I'm figuring on 2.3 (urban) - 2.5 (rural), but my metrics could be off. I'm speaking strictly of hagwon jobs.

I was under the impression that experience is more the determining factor in figuring out salary -- at least in South Korea anyway. Here are the metrics I have:

Base Salary: 2.0m
4-Year Degree in RELATED field: +100k to 200k
TESL/TEFL/TESOL/etc.: +100k
1 Yr Exp: 100k p/yr

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Hotpants]

A lot of jobs back home play that game. I would compare the salary for the job that's being offered with similar positions that advertise with a salary quoted. Alternatively, when I have absolutely no clue as to where to pitch myself on the rankings, I try to throw the question back, and ask, "What was the range that you had in mind?"

Unless you're super qualified or have an inflexible minimum benchmark, then I don't think you can really command more than average. Ultimately if you get passed over because the employer/recruiter doesn't want to offer what you're asking for, then just move on to the next post. I'd agree in that now the market is quite saturated, a lot of schools can offer lower rates if they want. They know that someone out there will take their rates.

[dairyairy]

[dairyairy]