Job Discussion Forums

tide · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

Ok...3500RMB a month is not a good salary. So where should I look to find a job in Beijing teaching adults. And yes, those two things are a 'must'. Where should I look? There is nothing on dave's job's list.

Thanks, Peter

p.s. did I mention how great this forum is

jester · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 111

There's this thing called Google or Yahoo or Lycos or askjeeves or or or..........
Spend some time doing this - do you want to be spoonfed? You're a big boy now.

sojourner · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject:

Tide,

Do you have a degree ? If so, you might want to consider working at a university.

Are you willing to consider any other location besides Beijing ? Unfortunately, there don't seem to be too many uni positions in Beijing, at present. In most parts of China, a BA holder should get 4 K. per month; and an MA, about 5 K. per month - for 14 or 16 hours of teaching per week - about 10 or 12 "normal" hours.

Apart from the uni/college sectors, you might want to consider working for one of the language school chains, such as EF. Many posters often rubbish EF, but some of the franchises mightn't be too bad. Do a search for a poster called "Gregor" and send him a message - he was once a DOS in an EF school, and might be able to recommend some of the best EF centres.

Peter

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

sojourner · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:

Voldermort,

What are you actually disputing - the salary rates, the hours, or both ?

The salary rates are ABOUT what you would expect at MOST institutions. Yes, you would probably get a bit more in some unis (eg at some institutions in Guandong, you could get even get around 6 K, or a bit more), but in some other places it could be as low as 4 K ! However, the rates I've quoted are around "average", and would give one a rough idea of what a newbie might be able to get. With better-than-average qualifications, one might even be in a position to bargain for a bit more. Check the job listings on "Helen's" and "Angelina's" sites for an idea of the salaries on offer.

Of course, a lot depends on one's location. In my first job, in Jiangxi Province, back in 2003, my salary was around 3800. In my current job, in Zhejiang Province, I commenced on 5 K per month, and when I stayed on for my 2nd year, I bargained for an increase - am now on 5.5 K. My current contract will expire this June - in my new job , I expect to be offered between 6 and 7 K.

Of course, the monthly salary isn't the only factor - one needs to consider the number of teaching hours pw, how many monthly payments during the year, provision of free utilities, whether one is reimbursed for the cost of a round-trip or a 1-way fare, the size of the flat, etc.

In my post, do you think that I was overstating the salaries ? Maybe, if you are receiving considerably below the rates I quoted, it could be because of your lack of qualifications and experience. If, on the other hand, you consider that I was understating the salary rates, please let me know where you are working ! As already inferred, I'm on the lookout for a new position !

Peter

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject:

Shijiazhuang is close to Beijing (3 hours) so you could take a weekend excursion up there on occasion.

I know that the middle schools there usually need teachers, as well as the EF there. I think there are one or two other private schools, but not sure how repuatble they are.

EF Sjz pays 5,000 to start, increasing to 5,500 after 6 months and to 6,000 after a year. I believe the middle schools pay much less, around 3,500/month, but it's a cheap place to live (if you're not an alcoholic).

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

I am disputing those salary figures. Been here 4 years eh? maybe you are falling a little behind the times. When I came here 2 years ago, the position was 5,000 per month, the same hours, and that was working in a primary school.

I am now making double that, working half the hours for a high school.

Sure you can make a higher salary in uni's and larger cities, but I would say they are well beyond the 5,000 you are stating. I know most positions are advertised in that range, but it sure as hell doesn't mean we should take them. The salary you guys are making is your own downfall, it doesn't mean that every newbie on the scene should also work for that much.

tide · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

tide,

If you're going to Beijing and you have a degree, then you should be able to pull 5-6k, a little more if going to a uni. Don't take the first offer you get, and always be sure to negotiate your salary. Butter your resume up the best you can, but don't overfill it with pointless stuff like that newspaper round you had when you were 14.

Send them sporting photos and or photos of you with groups of kids/students. Ask them lots of questions about out of classroom, after hours student/teacher activities, and not too many questions about the terms of the contract.

This is the biggest thing people complain about "they didn't tell me before I came to china". Schools in China are a business, business deals in China are based on Face and personality rather than contracts. Get personal with the negotiator, make them like you, and they in return will make your life a whole lot easier.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Just show up and go from there.
I have found that waiting for the internet to inform me of a good job is just a waste of time. Have fun wasting hours on Google reading a bunch of useless garbage.

Show up and you will have people running down your phone battery in an hour with all the phone calls you will get.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

For Beijing, your best bet is to start spending some time on thatsbj.com

Plenty of offers everyday.