Job Discussion Forums

slozo · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 1

Hi, I am new to this discussion forum, so be easy with me.

I have been offered a job with the Jiangsu Children's Program in Nanjing (through my coorinator from my Oxford Seminars TESL course). I don't have a university degree, so China was the best choice for me and I do not expect to be making money hand over fist. Their offer is 4200 rmb in salary and 1000 rmb for accommodations monthly.

First question - does this sound acceptable/on par with the going rate for first timers?

and secondly - getting 1000 rmb for accomodations - can I get a place for this amount easily?

All input is appreciated,
Konrad the Canuck

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I am sorry, but the first question you need to ask or find out is who is going to supply you with a resident visa a.k.a. green book. If they cannot get you the green book you will not be able to stay in China.

It can be done. However, you have no B.A. You need to make sure of the legal issues before you worry about the money.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

How many hours will you be working for that money? Airfare? Medical? Travel allowance?

Are you aware that when you rent in China that you usually have to put down a housing deposit of at least 3 months (they sometimes want more from foreigners)? Also as GS mentioned you NEED your resident permit to rent a place. Is your school planning on helping you find a place?

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

judyas · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 5 Location: London, Ontario

Hi there,

I am considering China as a last resort if I can't find a job in the Middle East. Right now, I'm getting schools asking me to send them my passport when they haven't provided me with any other information about their school, my salary expectations.. etc. I have already provided my CV, degree, certificate, and photo, but is it legit to ask for my passport (for visa purposes) when we haven't discussed my actual position for the school?

If anybody could outline a description of how this "negotiating" works, I would be so grateful. I'm a scared little newbie...

Thank you

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 8:00 am Post subject: Re: Same sort of newbie question

darkhorse · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 78

I shudder to think that ANYONE would consider sending their passport ANYWHERE. There is absolutely NO reason why a school in China needs your passport sent to them, even if they have HIRED you. As Chris says, you need it for your visa, tourist or otherwise. Not only shouldn't they be asking , I would be highly suspicious that they ARE asking you for your passport. In the most charitable explanation, they are extremely ignorant, the worst case, they're crooks.

And heed what Chris says about documents. Never send originals; you will be asked to bring them with you, however. I was told by my Chinese employer that the Ministry of Education demands original copies of degrees. In any case, I'm not letting them out of my sight till I get there.

judyas · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 5 Location: London, Ontario

Thank you to all for your wise and thoughtful insights, I really appreciate all your explanation. I have been asking more questions to the schools who have responded to me, and there's been semi talks about me working for them by late Aug, however I haven't received any actual contracts to look over because I haven't sent a scanned copy of my passport or my original degree to them.

I think I'm going to call the embassy for China and ask them what is the proper procedure for providing scanned copies of passport or degrees when there hasn't been any actual confirmation of jobs thru review of contract. I don't feel too good about sending personal information about myself to strangers.

On another note, are there any readers who could tell me if salary is negotiable, so far I have been offered 4000-6000 rmb for 20-25 hrs of work, full single person accomodation + utility, maybe Chinese lessons, however airfare is limited to 7000 rmb or less for round trip. So that's approx 1400$ Cdn, and it will prolly cost me $1200-1700 for a one way trip to China... so I think I'll have a problem coming back home. Has anybody else run into this problem?

Cheers,
Have a good day

darkhorse · Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 78

Ming · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

Hi Slozo:
You are in the same city I want to find work AND I also will be attending Oxford Seminars for my TESL so I was so interested in your question and the resulting answers. Glad to see the placement services they promise are true. The answer Re: by law they have to provide accommation was interesting eh? From researching schools and various web sites 1000mb seems high for a lodging deduction, netting u only 3200mb/mo....how about asking 5200mb/mo with the 1000 deduction for accommation then you'll net 4200 which seems the norm for a basic school with 25-30 hrs of class time.