Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Freaka]

So, I just got off the phone with the Korean agent (broker) that a family friend promised to hook me up with. I guess some Koreans make business calls on Sunday morning!

My family friend had called his old agent about me and this agent was calling to interview me about working for him. He's an independent agent that hires teachers to teach English at Korean business firms. He asked me about where I went to school, what I studied and about my work experience - for the record, he didn't seem to care that I had zero experience teaching English. I told him that I'd been working with my cousin from Korea for the last six months on improving her English and that was that! My family friend had already prepped him about my background, but he seemed most intrigued with the fact that I used to work in Hollywood for the top talent management company in the business. Apparently, I sound "just like a white person" on the phone!

As for the negotiation part of the discussion, I have to say, it was relatively painless. There was no talk of benefits, paid vacation, housing or airfare as I'll be working as an independent contractor on an F4 visa. (Plus, I don't need housing.) As for my rate, he flat out asked me what I was hoping to make. Now, I used to work as a talent manager and one thing I can do is negotiate. So, I actually threw out a figure that was on the high end because I expected him to counter. Well, guess what? He simply said, "That shouldn't be a problem." I think my response was, "Oh, really!" as I couldn't help but express my surprise! Oops!

Anyway, at the end of our fifteen-minute discussion, he told me that I was hired. He said he could probably guarantee me at least twenty hours a week and that I may have to work weekends as well. No problem! He also said that my days could start as early as 6 a.m. No problem!

He is currently hiring. If you are in the Seoul area (he may work with teachers in other cities as well, but I didn't get a chance to ask him) and you are legally eligible to work as a contractor (you have the proper visa), then PM me. I'm not sure what qualifications he is specifically looking for, but I know that he seemed particularly impressed with my university education and my work experience in corporate America.

I'm excited!

[spliff]

If you have "zero" experience teaching, what sort of teacher do you think you will make?

[Freaka]

[frankhenry]

Wow Freaka, great for you!

I�m happy to hear that the contract negotiation was relatively painless and you didn�t have to discuss such things as benefits, paid vacations, housing or airfare as you'll be working as an independent contractor on an F4 visa. (Plus, you won't need housing.) And, that your salary shouldn't be a problem.

You were hired! You, go girl! And, he said he could probably guarantee you at least twenty hours a week and that you may have to work weekends as well. He also said that your days could start as early as 6 a.m. I envy you, what a great schedule!

Wow! I agree. He must have been particularly impressed with your university education and you work experience, especially having over seven years of work experience in corporate America.

I would be excited too! I know, I know; an opportunity like this may only come around once in life! I�m so excited for you that I�m just screaming inside with joy!

Congratulations! Yipeee!

[Freaka]

[frankhenry]

Wow! Great attitude, Freaka! "It's not about what you know, but who you know.� I see nothing wrong with you getting by on your connections; some people have them and some people don�t. In Korea, connections are good! I�m sure some of the people on this board can help you with connections later on. It�s good to hear you have a positive attitude about working you�re a## off and proving yourself! You go girl! Yes, I can clearly see that you are a solid businesswoman! Your background experience will be an asset to you here in Korea.

[Freaka]

[frankhenry]

Anyway, who would want such things as benefits, paid vacations, housing and airfare? You don�t really need such things when you know people; that can help get you a job that begins at 6:00 a.m. and allows you to work weekends!

My emotions are mixed! But, mostly I�m just happy for you!

Again,

Congratulations!

" target="_blank">http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/
Laughing

[Cheonmunka]

It's kind of independent because on the one hand you are not set with 40 hour week working contracts, but on the other you are reliant on the agent to provide you with the work that you continously need, and are paid through him/her.
Would you mind me asking what your required rate is/was?

BTW: There are several jobs found on what is it, some English site, ahh, Worknplay, that are through agents also. Keep up your hours by taking more on. But, keep requesting your highest figure. For the benefit of other who do this work.

[Freaka]

[Cheonmunka]

Yeah, notice the edit please.

I don't want to call you a liar.
But, I want you to be more realistic. There are many others who are doing this exact type of work.

[Freaka]

For the record, I've already told two people via PM exactly what rate I negotiated. I have no problems disclosing such information to people that I know won't abuse the information.

[spliff]

If it was less than 50,000 per hr she got taken...

[Typhoon]

Well done!! I think you made the right decision. I wish you the best of luck and think you have a great opportunity to have a fun/productive stay in Korea. Working on your own gives you the chance to have a very positive experience here. Cheers!!!

[Cheonmunka]

Well, I'm going to leave her alone. I said my piece. You seem to require a lot of congradulations from people. And you wait anxiously for hits to your posts that I couldn't even get an edit in before being jumped on.

Anyway, 돈 잘 벌고 ...