Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jasonXkeller]

So, I've been gone from Korea for about a year. We are looking to return, but I'm seeing droves of jobs advertising 9-630, 10-7 hours. These places are still offering 2.2-2.3M. Have these people gone mad? I can't imagine anyone even applying for these. I'm sort of guessing that this is a new way of advertising split-shift jobs without saying so, because they are highly undesirable. Please tell me no one out there is actually working 9.5-10 hour days for 2.2.

[Blanca]

I'm afraid it's dire straits at the moment. The Ulsan Online Facebook group has recently had a handful of recruiters advertising this kind of job with this kind of pay. I seem to remember one place in Gwangju offering 2.0-2.2 (so 2.0) for a 9 hour day. It's utterly appalling - no wonder wages are stagnating if people are actually taking this bullsh!t.

I've taken to commenting on these recruiter posts (they're almost always Korean recruiters too) and telling people not to take these jobs and not to trust a recruiter who pushes them. I don't know if it does any good but every little helps I guess.

[bmaw01]

You guys are kidding right?

I worked in South Korea for 2 years. I just got back a few months ago.

My hours were 10:00-7:00 = 9 hrs. It was a split shift. I taught Kindergarten in the morning and elementary students after 3pm. I was paid 2.2 the first year, and 2.4 the second year.

Do you people expect to work 6 hour days? You don't pay rent. You get an extra month's pay at the end of your contract. 2.2 won a month is still decent, and at the end of the year you can still save $10k easily.

I look at it this way. If you're working you don't have the time to spend your money on crap.

I didn't go to Korea to party, so when I was there I concentrated on my work. I even went in on Saturdays to finish my lesson plans.

[MedellinHeel]

^^

All my money goes to hookers, blow, alcohol, and traveling.

Not one penny saved crew checking in lol

[nicwr2002]

[wonkavite62]

I was horrified with the idea of teaching 9 to 10 hour days. Yes, I've done it before but everyone was under enormous STRESS. It is relatively new. I was used to the idea of kindergartens working 9 to 5 and the other hagwons working from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. BMAW sounds like one of those self-righteous republicans who whine constantly about how hard they have to work and about how lazy everyone else is. But I'm not expecting to be at school for just 6 hours either.

My whine is that there's too much unemployment in the west, and too many new graduates coming over here because they can't get a job back home. Hence the job situation is getting worse. There needs to be a reduction in youth unemployment in the west. Our governments and economic models have failed us.

[edwardcatflap]

Teaching kindergarten is all about planning time versus contact hours. The more planning time you have and the better prepared you are the less stressful and tiring the lessons will be. I'd say in an eight hour day the maximum should be around 5 contact hours and 3 hours for planning/breaks. Anyone or any job that claims 6 contact hours with little kids is a cushy number is talking bollocks.

[Weigookin74]

I've seen many paying 2.5 to 2.7 for those long days too. Only some are lowballing. Avoid them and work for the others or work for less and take shorter hours in the afternoon and evening. Your choice. If you take crap, employers will offer it. Smarten up and quit accepting those low offers.

[Lucas]

[Weigookin74]

[3DR]

[Chaparrastique]

[grnmle]

It is a race to the bottom... Sad indeed.

If this was the situation when I originally came to Korea, there is no way I would even consider Korea. The reason I came over, in 2007, was to experience a little of the world, try out teaching etc. The reason it was appealing was I could get a job that paid reasonably for the hours that were required. Now, there isn't a snowballs chance...

Glad I got out of Korea.

If I was a younger I would look at China...

[hubbahubba]

yes, wow. teaching 9 hour days..oh me oh my---too much work Try being a "real" teacher back home...lol. Priceless

[World Traveler]

Real teachers back home work only 180 days per year (meaning more days not working than working). They also get a generous retirement package, meaning they are paid a hell of a lot more.