Korean Job Discussion Forums

[traxxe]

So I'm applying with a friend of mine to go to Korea.

A few fellow alumnus of ours are in Suwon and seem to like it so that is where I intend on applying. We would like to work together and live in the same building or share a two bedroom accomodation.

How likely is this? I have years of training experience and will be asking for 2.3 mil won with a BA in History with a focus on Asian Studies.

She will ask probably for 2.1 mil won most likely.

Really I can go down on that since I'm being a bit demanding in that we live in the same place, etc. Do you all think I'm being reasonable, unreasonable?

[chevro1et]

I think that if you tell the recruiter(s) that you are dealing with that you are looking for a 'couples' placement/ accomodation, something can be arranged. Even if you are not a couple.

[the1andonly]

applying to Korea. Hahahaha

Don't fret. They let any idiot in.

And really who cares about your focus in Asian Studies, you could have majored in dry walling and they'd give you the same lame azz contract.

To answer your question, like the above guy stated... apply to a couples position. Voila. Done.

Hahaha , Im still laughing, 'applying' to Korea.

hahaha

[traxxe]

I did register it as a couple application with the recruiter yes.

As far as letting any idiot in... well, I was actually approaching this as I would any job. Applying and treating the ordeal in a serious matter. Even if they let any idiot in that still means there should be a distinction between the idiots and non-idiots.

I am trying to gage the feasibility of my request versus the reality. It seems I'm well within the guidelines of reality.

[Anyong Bluth]

[the1andonly]

If you and your friend have a degree....of ANY kind....you both should ask for the same amount of money. It's silly that you want to ask for different amounts. Schools in korea are desperate....especially a school needing two teachers.

Plus, in my experience, two friends at the same school, one making more than the other, for the same work, just causes hostility. Because the job sucks. It freakin sucks, whether it be for 2.1 or 2.3. If you are both doing the same job, you should make the same money....at least with it being both your first time in Korea.

hahaha...still laughing. Why oh why do I find it so funny?

[traxxe]

Ah, I figured because I have about 5 years of training experience I could ask for more. She is just out of college with less work experience (about 6 months on subbing). Some of my money, a more significant portion gets sent back home for bills and the like Where as she has no such hassles (basketball scholarship paid her way).

But is 2.3 good enough to ask for initially? Any advice on that if we ask for the same amount?

I'm 27 (I went to college late) and she is 23 so I figured the training work experience I had would lend itself to asking for more money. But I guess here I'm getting the impression they want warm bodies eh? That the quality is less important than the face time they want to provide with any person who can get in the country..

I guess my experience has been here that you get what you can for what you have done. In Korea you just get what you can get out of them regardless of things like experience. Am I supposed to feel like meat this early in the process?

[kangnam mafioso]

i hope she's a really good friend if you want to live and work together.

suwon stinks. have fun on the hour and a half subway into seoul every weekend.

[blaseblasphemener]

OP, straight up, whatever you're thinking about what your situation will be in Korea, it won't be. That's just reality. You can't mentally know what it will be like over here until your actually here. Some things to consider:

a) any decent offer will give you a private apartment. If you're in the same school, they will give you each an apartment, very close to each other, possibly in the same building. Do you really want to commit yourself to having a roommate for a year, when you could just as easily have your own place? I've seen too many people come over scared, wanting that security blanket of a boyfriend/girlfriend/friend, then soon discover that they don't need the blanket after all, and drive each other nuts. I suggest getting your own apartment. You'll see enough of the friend at work, going out, etc. and you'll want your own private space to go home to. (plus, when you're hooking up, you won't have to worry about privacy )

b) get as much money as possibly, don't be shy at all to ask, it won't limit good interested employers. But, research the heck out of any offers. Do a google search with the name of the school to find out if the school has a history of disgruntled workers. Before you sign a contract, get it checked out on the job discussion forum on this board.

c) don't limit yourself to suwon. go to where the best job in the seoul area is. Also, I would say that you should not look at Korea as a place to hang out with people you already know from back home. That's really limited thinking. Expand your prospects. Look at the big picture. Korea is a place to get out of your comfort zone.

[the1andonly]

READ MY LIPS:

Koreans do not care about your so called 'training experience'. All they care is that you are white and attractive.

Really, you need to get off the high horse about you 'training experience'.... because it makes no difference.

I don't know if you will get the '2.3' you seem to think you are 'owed'. Most newbies (regardless of their 'training experience') get a standard 2.0.

Perhaps you could wrangle a couple hundred more, but it won't be because of your 'training experience' it will be because a- the school is desperate, or b- you are extremely attractive.

And really, you need to change your mindset about you having more bills to pay, and more experience because it WILL cause conflict in your relationship with your friend.

Korea is not an easy place to live in, and definately not an easy place to work in...... you both deserve to make the same amount, regardless of bills and experience as you are both newbies to this country and this teaching experience.

And the guy above is right.... Suwon is a shiithole. Id never want to live there. A day trip or two, fine. But getting around that place is hell, not to mention those subway trips to Seoul to have some real fun.

[makemischief]

2.3 is plausible depending on what you mean by training experience- are you talking about English teaching related training experience? If not, then it won't make much of a dent in your salary.

That said, if you and your friend market yourselves well (nice resume and all that jazz) you should both be able to angle for something above the "standard 2.0", as at least as far as I can tell (and I could be dead wrong), the demand is high enough now to support a bit extra, regardless of qualifications. Not sure if it'll get to 2.3, but probably something extra.

If you came over here first and then went looking I would nearly guarantee it- face to face always adds to the salary, but you're out that free one way ticket here- but then again, if you get a good school/salary as opposed to something that stinks, it is well worth it personally/financially.

Cheers and good luck.

[traxxe]

Thank you, I appreciate the comments. Even the snarky jaded ones

[MollyBloom]