Job Discussion Forums

[metalgeek]

Just a quick question.
When do you sign the contract? Before you leave your home country, or after you arrive?

[Roger]

The contract with the life insurance company: At home
The contract with a new car salesman: When (or if) I come back.
The contract with my future employer: WHich country?

[metalgeek]

ok I'll be more specific
specifically china

[Shonai Ben]

If someone offers me a contract and everything is in order I will sign it asap.Why wait until you arrive?I would feel much better having a contract already signed and accepted before I leave my home country.

[Cobra]

Chinese businessmen only sign a writen contract in a face-to-face meeting. At the 11th hour one of the Chinese parties will attempt to change a major financial provision of the contract and it usually works.

Even the great FAO at my current school tried to reduce the agreed salary 500 rmb per month just prior to our face-to-face signing meeting. I was prepared! I advised him that I was in fact taking a cut in salary to work at his school and actually he needed to increase the agreed salary by 1,000 rmb per month or I would not be able to take the job.

This was 3 days before the semester was to begin. HE BLINKED! The agreed salary was increased by 1,000. To my FAO that was a 1,000 increase because he worked from his reduced figure, not the agreed salary. To me this was only a 500 rmb increase. He keeps reminding me that he gave me a 1,000 rmb raise even before I taught a single class. HaHaHa!

Hope this helps you understand the Chinese way!

[metalgeek]

ok, so cobra, are you suggesting waiting till I get there?
is a contract signed over a fax, kept as legit there as one signed while I'm there?

[Cobra]

If they have already signed then go ahead and sign. The fax will suffice.

If they are asking you to sign first, wait and be prepared for further negotiations when you arrive.

[Gordon]

I agree. Never be the first to sign an overseas contract, be the last.