Job Discussion Forums

[Charlie123]

I am a highly experienced EFL instructor. I am looking to work at a university in HK or close by. Can someone please give me any leads? I guess they don't post on Dave's. I would also be interested in other good, non-uni jobs. Thanks.

[Kowloon]

The job section of the south china morning post is a popular place to look for work. Browse by Education/Training. Would you be willing to work High School? Seems to be a lot of SNET scheme jobs about this year and it can be very lucrative if you have the right qualifications.

http://www.cpjobs.com/hk/

I see on the very first page they have a position at the CUHK Campus in Shenzhen!

[Charlie123]

Thanks, I will check the South China Post. CUHK hass been advertising broadly and it is likely they have received hundreds of resumes (including mine). I'll hope for the best.

[Charlie123]

I notice that a lot of the teaching job posts in HK ask for expected salary. How much would be fair to ask for a position like this?

http://www.cpjobs.com/hk/job/teacher-of-english-us-test-preparation-english-literature-history-ref-cp0611et16-1533900

[nomad soul]

[Charlie123]

I generally avoid responding to ads that require salary expectations. However, a lot of ads in Hong Kong ask and if I pass them over for that reason there is a greater chance that I will miss one.

[Jmbf]

[Charlie123]

Easier said than done. Glassdoor won't publish without a subscription. Dave's is the best resource for this sort of info.

[nomad soul]

[Charlie123]

Here is my online video CV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BRcrfyN6rk

[nomad soul]

Let me guess... that stupid kiddie fruit video (again).
You asked about salary expectations; I'm sure you can figure out your "worth" on your own.

[Jmbf]

[Kowloon]

I will state some of the salaries I know, perhaps it might help a bit (all figures are monthly)!

EDB NET Scheme for Primary/Secondary (45-75/85k HKD including the housing allowance). They are always revising the salary and conditions so I could be off on the exact upper figures.
http://www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-sch-staff/net-scheme/remuneration-package.html

Vocational Training Council (Around 40k for a Lecturer position, includes shared housing but unsure if they will provide an allowance instead)
http://www.cpjobs.com/hk/job/native-speaking-english-teacher-net-1331409

DSS/Private Schools (I interviewed at a very reputable Private EMI school on the island offering a starting salary that included provided housing - however they will occasionally agree to give an allowance instead - and the package would have been equivalent to 45k a month. However I know of some teachers at DSS schools getting just 28k)

British Council (senior teachers get 39-45k)
https://jobs.britishcouncil.org/ViewVacancy.aspx?enc=mEgrBL4XQK0+ld8aNkwYmJ5m/2nIrOfF1Iom+dlOnX5Pi65YvKV2qSpFy3Zo8Mp7St/4jAKh0smisdL31x3Ljg==

If I were in your shoes I'd be asking for something in the region of 45-50 as a starter. Consider that the VTC pay 40+shared housing and they're hardly Harvard. If you then arrived and felt that you were being grossly underpaid you could always find something more suitable after a year or two.

FWIW as Hong Kong is a bit more rigid and stable than other parts of the TEFL world I don't think expected salary will make a massive difference. Well regulated public or semi-public institutions here will have available salary scales and I can't imagine it being like say the Middle East or South Korea where you could negotiate (or get scammed out of) massive differences. (all IMHO)

Edit: The job ad you posted is for NTK. I was under the impression they were little more than a glorified centre/academy. If you're genuinely well qualified I think you could find something better.

[Charlie123]

Thank you, Kowloon. I am much obliged to you for taking the trouble.

[Jmbf]

Good post Kowloon! I also think that the OP with his qualifications should aim for a 40K+ income range BUT bear in mind that the best teaching positions here usually require some local experience. As long as the overall package offered is reasonable (remember to consider teaching hours, location and other responsibilities) then I personally would be willing to take a position slightly under market rate in order to get my foot in the door and start building up my network of contacts. Once established your personal network will play a significant role in helping you to move up into better positions.

Good luck! I still believe HK has excellent opportunities for hard working and motivated teachers.