Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hadeshorn]

Well im coming over to Korea in 1 weeks time. I have some interviews lined up.

However one question bugs me. How do I knock back jobs that I interview for.

For example I am going to one school that is 1.9 for 120 hours. Well I cant see myself working for that. But if the employer is willing to negoiate up to 2.2. Then I might take it. But say for example I want to see if better deals are out there. How do I politely decline this but at the same time leave the bridge unburnt in case this is the best offer I get?

[Gollum]

Haven't you been through this once before?

Just tell them you are checking into a better offer, and will let them know as soon as you decide.

If they try to push you, then just say, "I'm sorry, I will let you know. If you have to give the job to someone else because you are in a hurry, I understand."

[JAMZ]

your turning down jobs and i cant even get an interview for a decent one!

[Demophobe]

[hadeshorn]

Im sorry, I didnt mean to sound egotistical. I thought it was the sentiment of the board was to always go for the best offers. I also thought it was also implied that 1.9 for 120 hours for an "experienced" teacher was sub par pay.

I was just saying, I am going for some interviews. However I want to keep my options up for the best one. Because I hear a lot of people that have knocked back jobs in exchange for holding out for that "perfect" job. But say for example you want to survey all the jobs for various factors (School quality, education programme, director is ok, apartment is ok) and then make a final decision a little later on. How do you walk out of the interview at the end and still keep that option of a job open?

Thats what im trying to say. But money is also a contributing factor. I worked 1.9 for 100 hours last year but it was a split shift deal and it really wore me out. I just dont see it being worth 1.9 mil for 120 hours. It sounds like murder.

[prosodic]

[Ryst Helmut]

[hellofaniceguy]

Do you think that the school hires the first teacher that comes along? Of course not. So.... while you are waiting for the school to make a decision, they are looking at all possible candidates.
Teaching jobs in korea are a dime a dozen. And if you think that "X" school is the best choice for you...then jump on it, don't wait.
I have walked out in the middle of interviews a few times because the director was talking out of both sides of his/her mouth and gone back to the other position I interviewed for and accepted their offer.
It's all about getting the best deal for you.
1.9 for 120 hours? Never.
Never teach "X" amount of hours. Only agree to "X" amount of classes per day. Hakwons? Anything over 5 is too many a day. But...many teachers are desperated, hard up for work and and can't get a job back home and will lower their standards and accept bad contracts. In the long run..doing just that affetcs all of us.
If you put in your time, network, pay your dues and make connections...better doors will open. But, you'll have to suffer for a few years first.

[Demophobe]

Yeah...hadeshorn, I was just pulling your leg. The OP made it sound like you were a first-timer with no experience, and thus a touch overblown.

Anyways, of course, shop yourself around. It's prudent and necessary.

How to say "no" without burning your bridges? Well, I guess if you decline, you can expect the hogwan to work fast to find another applicant, so it seems like it has little to do with how you say no (gracefully, of course), but if you say no. You could just tell them it's a bit far from your friends/girlfriend or something, so you will need to talk to her/them to work out the travel logistics.

A hogwan that needs a teacher will probably take you even after you have declined. Just tell them that the interview/school/staff were unforgettable and you decided you MUST work there.

[prosodic]

I've got a related question that's a bit more difficult. Yesterday I accepted an offer from a fourth tier university because they were willing to negotiate all the terms of the contract including salary. I'm not saying they rolled over. The extra 300,000/month is in exchange for two additional office hours per week. Still, the fact that they were willing to rewrite the contract and bump up the salary makes me feel good about the place.

About an hour ago, I wrapped up a phone interview with a top tier university (okay, it's SNU). I had the interview scheduled anyways and thought it would make sense to do the interview for practice. We talked for over an hour and everything went extremely well. The interview was actually the third step in the application process. The second step was a timed proofreading/revision/writing exam (they sent it by email and I had to return it within 6 hours of when they sent it). During the course of the interview, she told me that I was the only applicant to get a perfect score on the written exam. Basically, it's down to me or one other person she has yet to interview and they're leaning towards me. She said she'll give me their final decision within two days.

If the top tier university offers me the position, what do you think I should do? If I choose to take it, how would I gracefully get out of the agreement with the fourth tier university? Nothing's been signed yet.

[hadeshorn]

[TheUrbanMyth]

Couldn't you just say "Thanks for the interview, and I'll get back to you/let you know my decision in a couple of days"?

[teachingld2004]

All this talk about 1.9 0r 2.2, or what ever.
Before I get my head bashed in.............
I am making 1.9, and while that is much too low, I have a great apartment and I can walk to the sea in 1/2 hr. The people I work with are really great, and so is the owner. I work 27 hours a week, and that will never go up. O.K., the job is not perfect, but nothing is. I am happy most of the time, and the little trivial things that bother me are gone by the end of the day. This is my second year. When my contract expires in March, I will go some place else for more money, but who knows if I will be this happy. Its a trade off.

[Demophobe]