Job Discussion Forums

CanGirl75 · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Hello again,

I have started sending out my resume today to all the jobs in Hong Kong that I could find. The vast majority of them asked that I give them my expected salary... I kind of skipped that part because I really didn't know what to put. I just kind of hoped that they would respond with a salary offer if I was appealing. However, I've started getting responses already and they are asking me what my expected salary would be, and I really don't know what to put. Any suggestions?

I should probably tell you my qualifications.

Bachelor of Arts from a Canadian University
Bachelor of Education from a Canadian university
TEFL Certificate from Oxford Seminars
5 years teaching at a preschool
14 months teaching English to children in a Korean Hagwon (private acadamy)
1 year teaching grade 3 in Belize (Central America)
2 semesters as a teacher's assistant in high school (yes, I know I"m reaching far back, but it's on my resume)

So... what would my expected salary be? Is it bad form to aim high? Will it deter potential employers if I put a big number down, or will it look bad if I ask for a lower salary, like I don't believe I'm worth it? Help? Give me a number!

HK_GURU · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 26

You need to specify what kind of jobs you are applying for. The range is completely different. For example, PNET or SNET, Language mill, VTC, Universities, etc.

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 293 Location: elsewhere

Language mills approx 15 - 20,000HK$ a month. I'd just say 25 and see what they say.

If your teaching degree is the full on thing (BEd 3/4 year?, or 1 year PGCE), then try and do better:-

PNET/SNET/VTC will tell you after checking your details . They don't really negotiate. Well, I'm SNET - they never asked. Lowest quals starts around 34.

Uni not sure. Maybe 30? Others know better.

CanGirl75 · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Well, my teaching degree is the full on thing -- I am qualified to teach in elementary schools in Ontario. I have a Bachelor of Education, but it was only a one year program that I entered after a 3 year undergrad program.

And the types of jobs I'm applying for... well, anything I can find right now where I can work with kids. I honestly don't know what PNET or SNET stands for, so I don't think I've applied to those (although I'd be interested if I could figure out how, I'm mostly googling teaching jobs in Hong Kong and applying to what I can find). I don't quite know how to tell if they are 'language mills', but I suspect that is what they are. I think my qualifications and experience should put me pretty far up the scale, I just don't quite know what that is, and don't want to over or under shoot.

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 419 Location: Pearl River Delta

P/ SNET = Primary/ Secondary Native English-speaking Teacher. This is usually used to describe people who come in on the government NET scheme here, although some schools which are not part of the scheme also use these acronyms when advertising for staff.

With your qualifications and experience you can afford to steer clear of the language mills/ tuition centres and private kindergarten chains like Deborah or Zenith. If you do apply for anything like that, it's good advice not to put anything less than 25K - and remember to play hard ball in negotiations on hours and days to work, too!

HK_GURU · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 26

CanGirl75 · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Sadly, I can't come to Hong Kong and find a job because the reason I'm looking to teach overseas is well, mostly financial. ie: I'm rather low on funds. And I am attempting to do research, but as I stated in another post I think I may have missed the boat on NET Scheme jobs... if you could point me in the direction of where I might find a more reputable high paying job, I would be most grateful, because I honestly can't seem to find anything at the moment. I've looked on SCMP, and JobsDB and other sites. Net Scheme seems to have done their hiring in February.

I'm no stranger to working in a 'language mill'... I did it in Korea and did fine, enjoyed myself even, once I figured it out. So if I have to do that again, I will, but I honestly could use help directing me to where I can find jobs that are more fitting for my qualifications. I know you are saying to do research, but, well... I have, and coming to this forum is a part of my research.

ozman · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 133 Location: HONG KONG

CanGirl75 · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Before I posted here, I read a bit of the forum and read that Net Scheme jobs were the best. I had no idea what that meant, but I found a website (and I learned that NET meant Native English Teacher -- this in no way helped me figure out what PNET or SNET stood for, because I didn't realize they were related terms -- much like FITH means "Fire in the Hole" and FITC means Fluorescein Isothiocyanate).

The website I found was the Net Scheme recruitment site and they state on their site that applications for the 2012/2013 school year needed to be in by the end of February... being as how it is now May, I have "missed the boat".

If you can direct me towards other reputable jobs, I would really appreciate it.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 730 Location: Hong Kong

Hi CanGirl75,

The advice you've receieved above is pretty accurate, and you're right about missing the boat for the coming academic year. The kind of jobs that would recognise your quals (mainly the NET scheme mentioned above, the ESF schools and the big international schools) mostly begin in September, and they will already have completed recruitment.

Consequently, your most likely source of work in the short term will be the language mills (who recruit all year round). The other possibility is to regularly screen the advertised vacancies in the SCMP - ad hoc vacancies arise all the time at reputable institutions (inc. the NET scheme, unis, ESF etc.) and, while it helps to be here for such vacancies, you might get in that way.

oxi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 293 Location: elsewhere

There's also BC - British Council. They don't only take Brits. Think they pay around 28 - 32 now. There's another post nearby with better info.

I did 2 years with BC while applying to the EDB/NET scheme. You can apply anytime, but as others have said, it can certainly take a while. For me, the process lasted about a year and a half:-
I applied January
accepted by EDB sometime March I think
but nothing further that year
started receiving school interviews and job offers the next January for starts after Chinese New Year in February
didn't fancy them, waited, and took a September start.

hongkongteacher2 · Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 14

Going rate is 25-30k. Of course an employer will be happy to pay less. And that is for NO experience. If you have experience and proper degree, look at 30-35k +.

DO NOT WORK FOR LESS THAN 20k. Are you serious? Put yourself down and the entire field. Of course employers will offer 12k when they are willing to pay 25k. Heck if any of you want to work for 12k, I will hire 5 of you. Saves me money! And I will work you like a dog.

kowlooner · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 226 Location: HK, BCC (former)

Would love to hear what places offer that particular "going rate" range. Salaries are not that high, unless you are teaching at a day school. I'd say $20k is the top you could expect when starting out, and that would be a real stretch. More likely $17-18k (assuming at least some experience), but quite possibly not even that, then work up from there, but you'll probably leave before hitting $20k, unless you're there for a couple of years or so.

hongkongteacher2 · Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 14

I think it depends on if you look or not. Of course there are companies whose business strategy is to hire people at low rates.

Also, a lot of companies are newer, the owners are new money and not really smart people. They have no idea how to run a business and do not respect their employees. Because the locals are used to earning 8-12k salary, they really do not realize that foreign NETs require a higher salary. Once a business is established, they will know what is going on.

But if any of you are dumb enough to work for 12k, I would hire you.

Take your time and look around, don't jump at the first offer.

Also, it sucks but the truth is that HK discriminates. This salary is for a white person. If you are a local chinese, then you should expect <12k.

Examples:

Jolly Kingdom will pay 17-20k and they are a shady company with a lot of teaching hours.

I know many NET positions through agencies that pay about 22-24k and that includes the "commission" taken out from the agency. Also, lower salaries posted often are "nearly part-time" posts so you can not use that for a fair judgement.

Also, I personally have no experience teaching and was able to land a job with 25k. And I had several places to choose from. The fact is, you either are lazy and let the business owner screw you or you stand up for yourself and fight for a decent salary.

There are also many playgroup oriented places that clearly state they start at 23k with no experience and a salary increase after a few months.

hongkongteacher2 · Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 14

I would like to add that I have no teaching experience, no relevant university degree, and no certificates. This was when I first started. Now I am experienced but still not desired as my degrees are not relevant.