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hi54u
Joined: 18 Aug 2013
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 Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:06 pm Post subject: What's happened to salaries?! Salary negotiation tips. |
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| Hey everyone. Anyone have advice (or success stories) about negotiating for more money? I'm about to return to Korea after a few years back in the states, but I've noticed that salaries seem to have dropped. I've been getting offers but all offers that I've received are around 200,000 less won per month than what I earned in 2010, and this is with additional teaching experience and another degree in the US since then. The offers are all 2.2 million, but I made 2.4 million last time. Aside from the low salary, everything else about the contract works for me. Has anyone been in a similar situation and if so, did you hold out and get a better deal or did you take what you could get? |
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Malislamusrex
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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| The same thing is happening to Korean salaries. Korean salaries are going down because old people on the big salaries won't retire because they have no retirement plan. The only thing they've got is a house that is declining in price every year. There is less money in the economy ,higher debt, so lower salaries for everyone. |
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IPayInCash
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: Away from all my board stalkers :)
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Korea's economy is tied to the US. The US economy is not so hot and Korea can't export like it use to. There is less money flowing through the economy here. Things are rough. I have seen some salaries slowly rising again. But, are still less than what they were. On the plus side, the exchange rate is a little bit improved from it's rolling average during the last few years. If you're confident in your abilities and don't mind waiting while being declined by a couple of employers, negotiate for a somewhat higher salary. Eventually, you'll find an employer willing to pay. |
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beentheredonethat777
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: AsiaHaven
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: What's happened to salaries?! Salary negotiation tips. |
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| Quote: |
| [b]][b]take what you could get?[/quote |
[b] ^^.This. This. This. salaries have dropped, dropped, dropped steadily in the past three or four years. There are a lot more people coming over with high qualifications willing to work merely for a place to sleep. (slight exaggeration),but only a little.
I hope you get my point. An associate is working at the same school I worked at over five years ago for [b]500,000 won less. She is extremely HAPPY to have a place to lay her head at night and to get paid on top of that, literally[/b].[/b] |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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| IPayInCash wrote: |
| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
Some people here are not only teachers but also business owners. Whatever you claim to earn is peanuts in comparison to what they bring home. |
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IPayInCash
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: Away from all my board stalkers :)
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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| 12ax7 wrote: |
| IPayInCash wrote: |
| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
Some people here are not only teachers but also business owners. Whatever you claim to earn is peanuts in comparison to what they bring home. |
This coming from someone who claims to be an expert in chemistry, but couldn't give any info when being called out on it.
Or claimed to be presenting at a conference this fall but couldn't give the name of the conference for some reason.
lol @ thinking anyone takes you seriously |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: What's happened to salaries?! Salary negotiation tips. |
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| beentheredonethat777 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| [b]][b]take what you could get?[/quote |
[b] ^^.This. This. This. salaries have dropped, dropped, dropped steadily in the past three or four years. There are a lot more people coming over with high qualifications willing to work merely for a place to sleep. (slight exaggeration),but only a little.
I hope you get my point. An associate is working at the same school I worked at over five years ago for [b]500,000 won less. She is extremely HAPPY to have a place to lay her head at night and to get paid on top of that, literally[/b].[/b] |
I know it's an employers market these days, but this whole groveling "I'll take whatever you can spare" attitude drives salaries even lower than they need to be. Have a little pride, people! Attitudes like the ones described above hurt other employees too as that becomes the new standard. Just because YOU are happy to get whatever experimental new lowball figure they offer, doesn't mean everyone else is.
Recruiters and companies often offer extreme lowball figures first. Ask for more, especially if, like the OP, you have previous experience. Sure, a few places won't budge, but you might be surprised how many offer the salary you want or at least near it. |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| IPayInCash wrote: |
| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
This is actually a great attitude! Refreshing.
Imagine if the majority of people here thought like this. Almost guaranteed the average salary would be higher. |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| IPayInCash wrote: |
| 12ax7 wrote: |
| IPayInCash wrote: |
| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
Some people here are not only teachers but also business owners. Whatever you claim to earn is peanuts in comparison to what they bring home. |
This coming from someone who claims to be an expert in chemistry, but couldn't give any info when being called out on it.
Or claimed to be presenting at a conference this fall but couldn't give the name of the conference for some reason.
lol @ thinking anyone takes you seriously |
So, you want me to scan my degrees and post them online and give you the name the conference I've been asked to present at? I wasn't born yesterday.
...and stop projecting. |
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IPayInCash
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: Away from all my board stalkers :)
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| Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:40 am Post subject: |
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| Mix1 wrote: |
| IPayInCash wrote: |
| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
This is actually a great attitude! Refreshing.
Imagine if the majority of people here thought like this. Almost guaranteed the average salary would be higher. |
The last company I worked for, we had a company dinner and the subject of salaries was brought up. Someone said they make 2.3, and everyone immediately said they also make that much. Except me. When it was my turn to disclose my salary, I didn't want to embarrass the others, so I said "it's more than _._" which brought a shock to everyone's face. They then all asked me how I was able to get such a high salary. When they're all dressed in rags (one idiot had a beard and hipster glasses) and I'm sitting there in a designer 3 piece suit and clean shaven. And I didn't give them a single bit of advice. Because I don't owe those losers anything.
Some people (ie most English teachers in Korea) don't know the first thing about professionalism. |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:51 am Post subject: |
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| IPayInCash wrote: |
| Mix1 wrote: |
| IPayInCash wrote: |
| I have a DREAM JOB here in Korea. I work less than uni teachers and get paid more as well. I've also been given not one, but TWO pay raises since I've been here. It's true every other teacher is making peanuts in this country except me. But if you know how to negotiate, that's all that matters. I told my employer what I wanted to make if I was going to re-sign, no ifs ands or buts. They promptly agreed both times without question as they need me more than I need them. It's good to be me. |
This is actually a great attitude! Refreshing.
Imagine if the majority of people here thought like this. Almost guaranteed the average salary would be higher. |
The last company I worked for, we had a company dinner and the subject of salaries was brought up. Someone said they make 2.3, and everyone immediately said they also make that much. Except me. When it was my turn to disclose my salary, I didn't want to embarrass the others, so I said "it's more than _._" which brought a shock to everyone's face. They then all asked me how I was able to get such a high salary. When they're all dressed in rags and I'm sitting there in a 3 piece suit. And I didn't give them a single bit of advice. Because I don't owe those losers anything.
Some people (ie most English teachers in Korea) don't know the first thing about professionalism. |
Please. A couple of weeks ago you were bragging about having 2500$ in spending money during a trip you took to South East Asia. You're clearly not as wealthy as you would have us believe. |
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beentheredonethat777
Joined: 27 Jul 2013
Location: AsiaHaven
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| Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 3:08 am Post subject: Re: What's happened to salaries?! Salary negotiation tips. |
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| Mix1 wrote: |
| beentheredonethat777 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| [b]][b]take what you could get?[/quote |
[b] ^^.This. This. This. salaries have dropped, dropped, dropped steadily in the past three or four years. There are a lot more people coming over with high qualifications willing to work merely for a place to sleep. (slight exaggeration),but only a little.
I hope you get my point. An associate is working at the same school I worked at over five years ago for [b]500,000 won less. She is extremely HAPPY to have a place to lay her head at night and to get paid on top of that, literally[/b].[/b] |
I know it's an employers market these days, but this whole groveling "I'll take whatever you can spare" attitude drives salaries even lower than they need to be. Have a little pride, people! Attitudes like the ones described above hurt other employees too as that becomes the new standard. Just because YOU are happy to get whatever experimental new lowball figure they offer, doesn't mean everyone else is.
Recruiters and companies often offer extreme lowball figures first. Ask for more, especially if, like the OP, you have previous experience. Sure, a few places won't budge, but you might be surprised how many offer the salary you want or at least near it. |
I agree with you Mix1! This was merely a recent example of the mindsets of NEW people coming to Korea, not returnees. When I was in negotiations with my current school, the recruiter actually showed me asking amounts, of the three other candidates for my current position.( I wouldn't have crawled out of bed for those wages) Well, in short, I said, then tell the boss to hire one of those candidates then! The next morning, the owner personally called, asking me when I would be available to start. Case closed. If/when I decide to do volunteer work, I will go to a third world country and do it. Not here.
To the OP, do not settle for less than you would feel happy accepting. You know your worth, strengths, and your financial ability to hold out until something better comes along.
But keep in mind, there are other certified teachers who have been laid off, lost their homes, etc. who are drowning in debt, looking for any sign of a lifeline.
If that's not you, just wait it out! I hope this helps.
edit:spelling |
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ineedajob
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| Maybe the currency is worth more? Wild guess. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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@ the OP:
You may have to negotiate an extra class in something you enjoy, like storytelling for kids or a book club. Yes you will have extra work, but it will be on your terms and you can expand on that for next time. |
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