1- How to Apply for Jobs & Use The Contract.
The conditions in the contract you just saw are by no means perfect conditions. They are basics already offered by many Korean language schools. The better schools are not only offering the conditions you just read in the contract, but also give these additional benefits :
a- a monthly performance bonus of 100,000 to 600,000 won.
b- a twice annual bonus of 500,000 to 800,000 won. (this is on top of your annual bonus of one month salary).
c- Polite and Organized Director and staff.
d- Extended Vacation of 3 to 5 weeks (12 weeks for public schools) a year.
So don't think that you are imposing anything on the employers by demanding what is already seen as what you naturally deserve. The good employers already have a contract much like, or better than the one you saw here. And, not much negotiation is needed for getting a good job and conditions with them.
You also can agree to change some points of the contract, (like the point on the attire) and use it as a bargaining card to get a higher salary or other special conditions you desire to add to your contract.
Negotiation and trading are parts of Koreans' personality > with most Koreans you must negotiate, even to get what They Know You Deserve - even in love relationships. Nothing is certain in the Orient but the peoples' will!
In the Orient there are no rules, people are required to be assertive and friendly at all times, so that their boundries will be respected.
Even after you sign a contract, they may approach you and ask if you could do things that were not in your contract. Before suggesting any changes, they first try to sweeten you for a couple of days, then, when you are most volnerable and feel they are on your side, they will suggest the changes in subtlest ways, and they will insist to get your approval right there!
So never accept a change on the spot, even if it seems like a chance to live in paradise forever. To all suggestions - always answer "I need TWO days to think about it." This should give you enough time to ask the more experienced teachers (who you are sure are your friends) about the matter, and to think more logically and critically.
To succeed You have to be firm and pleasant in refusing their points; or you can choose to do a profitable bartering with them - giving them what they want and getting something you want in return. But still, say you need to think about it for 2 days.
GET STRONGER & FRIENDLIER, don't give in, don't worry & don't fight.
2- Never Accept money to be sent to you!
*Never Send Your ID's / Documents' Details!
To empty your bank account or to hijack your ID, many scam artists are these days using the front of a recruiting agency, a school, a lottery company, a rich guy who needs your services, etc - and ask to get your passport's and/or degree's scanned copy. They sometimes send you application or even contracts for you to fill out and return to them. Everyday they come up with new scams, but you can tell who they are by what they seek, namely your:
full name, phone number, address, ID/passport (and from there they will see your ID number, date of birth, place of birth), and some even later in the game, ask for your bank account number (to send you money for airfare/lottery winnings/services/…)
Some even send the teachers money orders/cashier cheques, “to pay for their services/ help / .../ or the trip to the place of employment", or for other reasonable-looking uses.
The crooks may send the victim a $5000 orders/cashier cheque “to pay for his/her ticket”. The money order will clear, and the victim gets the $5000 cash, and wires $3000 back to the sender!
Within a week the police arrest the victim for having cashed a fake money order/cashier cheque. And, you guess what is next!
So:
Send only your Photo and include your Age (+/- 1 year) in your personal data section of your resume– these are expected even by the best employers – that’s all. Asian’s believe that first impression says it all – so they need to see your photo. Most good employers don’t worry about your age, but still make sure it is there, so that they hire you for who you are, and don’t change their mind after you are there!!
You can also scan your passport's ID/photo page and use ‘Photoshop’ to smudge the Passport Number, the Place/Date of Birth, as well as other info that can be abused. Leave only the area that shows your Photo and Nationality. Also to show respect to the genuine employer, pre-warn the receiver that as 'advised by authorities', you have covered those areas for security reasons. Do not give your own address or a phone number that is in your name, rather send a frined's address and ask for employers phone number and a good time to call them, if they want to do a phone interview.
Always check the employer’s web site, and ask for phone numbers of the present or previous foreign teachers they have/had. Always CALL THE TEACHER! DO NOT SEND EMAILS! MANY EMAIL REFERENCES I HAVE CHECKED ARE OWNED AND ANSWERED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER!
Post your ad or seek employers directly, on: eslteachersboard.com (it is the new world centre for teachers and employers to meet, free of charge), or search for other popular sites. There, you have a better chance to hide from the recruiters and scam artists, and talk directly with the employers.
Do not deal with, or if you do be most careful with these Korean schools: Pagoda, ECC/ YBM / SYSA, Kids College, Wonderland and Top. With only a handful of decent branches, the contracts from these schools are all but tricks. Send them this contract to test their integrity.
3- NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT
After the initial contact and agreement with the school, ask to see their contract. If their contract offers MUCH LESS than the contract here, they simply are Crooks! Dump them in a second, and try another one!
There are endless number of schools desparate for teachers, and so, most of them accept teachers with no relevent qualificvations.
If their contract is similar to or only a little different from the contract here, tell them that a friend in Korea has given you this contract (here) and that he says this is a standard contract. Then,send them this contract and ask if they can agree with all its points. Ask them to tell you what they cannot agree with. In this way their true intention becomes clear.
If you didn't get a good job, fast:
Take a job in your country, and keep looking. Finding a good job in Korea or Japan may take from a few weeks to 5 or 6 months. You never know.
If you don't have time:
I guarantee you this: Anyone is happier on welfare, than when working for an abusive school in Asia. So, really, my best advice to my best friends always is: "Get a good job, or Stay home and work ANYWHERE! You will be happier, there!"
4- Check the labour law of Korea
where it is posted at: www.molab.co.kr and http://www.englishschoolwatch.org/kr_law01.shtml This is a great law, and the President Kim D. Jung Himself has attached Korea's international reputation to uphold of this law.
Any time you have a problem with the employer, just take a copy of the law, and your contract to the nearest immigration office, and point to the specific area that concerns your problem. They will be on the case, very fast. For many types of problems, you can only file a complaint within a few days of your facing the problem or discovering an illegal point. So be prepared before a problem appears. Locate the immigration, think how you will find time to get there, etc.
5- Find all reasons and ways to make you feel Proud and Confident. Think Positive, Use your Dream-Chart, Exercise,... Keep a high spirit. Those who feel positive and confident do get the best jobs!
You Are Already on the Right Track, and You Will Win!
I promise you that!
Your Friend Teacher!