Job Discussion Forums

[CherriRed]

I received a job offer yesterday to teach business english in Istanbul. The pay is 2000tl a month, 150tl housing allowance, 100tl for travel, and they reimburse me for all of my traveling for the job. They won't provide me with a work permit, but they will help me with a residence permit (that I have to pay myself). And the contract is for 11 months.

Is this pay too low to live in Istanbul? And is it difficult to get a work permit once I move to Istanbul?

[Otterman Ollie]

Lets see, you have to pay rent, so minimum is gonna be at least half your main salary, unless you fancy squalor, any meals provided, what about start up costs?
I would be surprised if anyone on this forum would condone you accepting this gig, you would be working illegally for starters, and that 11 months contract leaves you out in the cold, what experience and qualies have you got?

[CherriRed]

I have a bachelor's in International Studies and I just got my TESOL certificate in February 2014. I have absolutely no teaching experience, so I think that's why he offered such a low salary.

[Nebbich]

I certainly wouldn't take it...the pay is far too low for Istanbul As it is, you could apply to a shitty university like Okan and get 3000 per month + all permits paid for. The work permit provides residence, but the residence permit stipulates no work and you'd have all sorts of problems...you need to provide evidence of money in the bank to get it (or a foreign exchange receipt with your name on). You won't have a bank account, so how will they pay you? It leaves you exposed in SO many ways.

You could walk into a dershane (language school) like Dilko and get better money.

[delal]

Hi
I'm not in IST so can't comment on the money
Without a work permit-check all the other posts related to this-you would be working illegally
Also: if the school is reliable then it will get you a work permit
If your employers don't show that kind of commitment, how can you be sure that they will actually pay you? (And there are plenty who try and get away with not paying)

[spiral78]

Also important to note that without a work permit, if an employer doesn't pay you, you can't logically complain to any authority

[Shalana]

I suspect a lot of places will do that this year - not provide a work permit because the laws have changed and people are confused - they will decide it is not worth the trouble. You would be working illegally.

I've heard Garanti bank will open accounts for foreigners, but I don't know if you have to provide proof of having a job.

You could try Okan or Beykent universities or English Time. They have bad reputations, but you could tough it out for a year to get a better wage and a work permit. British Side has a good reputation, so you could try there too.

I lived in Istanbul for 4 years starting in 2007 and I came with only 6 months experience and I was never offered a wage that low. If you shared a flat or can find rent no higher than 500 lira per month, you may find a way to survive, but why do that if you can find a better offer?

[Shalana]

You may want to name this school as a warning to others.