Job Discussion Forums

joe_doufu · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 25 Location: Korea

I hate this sentence: "Send CV with expected salary to...". This is my first time to look for ESL work in Hong Kong. I have experience and am confident that I can find work, but I'm just wondering, what is the going rate here? Say, for kindergarten work? How much should I ask for?

Ludwig · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 6:03 am Post subject:

Stating your expected salary is quite normal in HK and is a feature typical of application forms even for university positions.

It would help if you gave some indication as to your qualifications and experience (which, invariably, must be post-qualification).

If it helps, I know of a job currently being offered at a kindergarten which pays $17,000 for Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm (though I have no idea how representative this figure is) with (dim sum) meals provided at the school.

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

Joe said:

Ludwig · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:08 am Post subject:

'Joe_doufu', obviously you are free to believe who you want. I can tell you that, as you are seeking work at a kindergarten, you will need to get used rather rapidly to the sentence 'please send a detailed CV and expected salary to...'

At least 90% of such posts advertised at the following HK job website contain it:

http://www.classifiedpost.com/

Hardly "deceptive".

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 5:24 am Post subject:

To me this is an infuriating request which only measns one thing - they are looking to pay sh.t and are only too willing to hire it is if is cheap enough. I rarely ever apply for such jobs as I find the process demeaning and akin to begging. One HK company that was going to hire me actually played me off against another applicant. They interviewed us together, and after the interview kept ringing me, each time lowering the pay offer, and reducing the "perks" like medical insurance etc. They made it clear they were alo calling the other guy at the same time. I eventually said I'm not going lower than "$X", and guess what - I never heard from them again. Also, I have never ever heard back from any comopany where I have had to statt my salary in the job application. NEVER. The rerason is that I ask for a reasonable salary, and companies that ask this question are not willing to pay a reasonable salary. It is well knowm that in negotiation, the party that gives the first offer is the loser, as the figure will only go down from there.

OK, forgive my skepticism. A practical tip. State a figure that you think is reasonable, and then say that you are willing to negotiate because you are truly keen on the position. If they call you, you are in a reasonable position of power at that point.

Freddie_Unbelievable · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 288

My feeling exactly HH. I would not even finish reading the ad (which is usually the small box at the back of the paper.)

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have to second Ludwig. In mytime in Hong Kong, the majority of job adverts in the SCMP had a phrase to the effect of "state your expected salary...and send your CV..."
Which means you are giving away your idea of how they should renumerate you, and they can pick the most humble person.

A special feature of HK was that most advertisers would never bother to even acknowledtge receipt of your mail or fax.

joe_doufu · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 25 Location: Korea

Thank you guys for five totally useless posts!
I wasn't asking your opinion of the sentence, of course it is normal for companies to want to know your expectations. I was asking, "How much is normal for an English teacher to make in HK?" So I can tell them my expectation. Only one of you even mentioned a number.