Job Discussion Forums

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Last week I signed a new contract with my current school for next term starting September 1st. My contract runs from July 1st 2006 - June 30th, 2007. Before I go any further, let me assure you it's a fine school and the stress level is minimal. I have a fine apartment (a little rundown but comfortable enough), extra benefits like most schools offer, and nice colleagues (who tend to need my help more than I need theirs!). Okay, disclaimer over.

As I am wont to do, I still continue to peruse job adverts on the net. Nothing has come of it until today. Now I may be putting the cart before the horse here, but I got a "general" response today from an organization that has an offered salary of a little more than 1 1/2X what I'll be making from my current job. The job description looks nice and it's down in Guangzhou. Some of you may have seen the ad yourself. Honestly, I sound like a teaching wh*re, but it's the money that has attracted my eye. My "plan" is to only stay in China one more year to save as much as possible before returning home (yeah, yeah, you've all heard it before).

Just yesterday (pre-email), I asked my FAO if they had my copy of the contract ready and was told the principal hasn't signed it yet, so nothing is "official" as of today. The other organization has not offered me a job either, only the preliminary request for paperwork and such.

Should I keep my trap shut and just wait to see if there's even a job offer? Tell my school there's a possibility (they knew I was seekiing other employment before I signed the contract last week) that I could choose another place? I hate to spring it on them at the last moment, because they really would need to find someone with an BED (esp. elementary) to fill my position (and if such a scenario happens, I'll let the board know if someone's in need of a pretty decent paying job). That's not always easy to do.

So, advice anyone? I'm sorry, serious advice and no snide put-downs and insincere jibberish (thought i should clarify that!). Thanks!

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Keep your mouth shut until you have something concrete to say.

lou_c · Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:19 am Post subject:

Wait until you have a serious offer that you're willing to take. Then go to your current employer and give them a chance to match it.

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

I agree with the other posters. Never say anything unless you know it's for sure or you may find yourself with nothing!

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

I have an invitation letter. I have accepted. Now I am waiting for a signed contract.

My current employer has invited me back but I have made no committment. They think I will return.

When I have a signed contract I will give them the bad news by asking for my release letter.

Anything else would be foolish.

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

post deleted

The Voice Of Reason · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 492

My two jiao:

I think you ought to do what you agreed to do (having signed the contract), and that anything other than that would be unprincipled (more so, perhaps, in light of the fact that, "it's a fine school" you're in). If you try the line that the contract isn't official, not signed by both parties, then they'll make sure it is.

You youngsters today have too much get-up-and-go in you! Wink

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Maybe this oldster has a little too much get up and go in him, but I'm getting a similar itching feelling waiting for my current employers to offer me the next contract. We've discussed it previously, we were both happy to continue our cooperation (love that Chinese English), but it's been a month since I agreed to sign on again, and still haven't heard from them. Maybe on payday?
It's not that I've had that magical offer from heaven, and I'm not expecting one right now. In fact I'm rather looking forward to showing what a 2 year commitment can do for my students. I am however slightly unnerved at the caual way TPTB are handling things.

<Crock of crossed cliches warning>
Sometimes it's like watching the captain rearrange deck chairs on the Hindenberg. Meanwhile back at the ranch, I've started looking around for my parachute in case this train hits the fan and the light at the end of the tunnel is an iceberg.
<crock is empty, care to add more?>

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

You are the one who has to make the decision and live with the consequences.

I know how attractive a bigger salary is. I went chasing after the dollar once (it was $6,000 more actually) but I didn't last more than 6 months in that job because the internal situation became unbearable - policy dictates that we have to have a foreigner here but we don't have to like it was the clear and everyday message.

My health (with had been 100%) deteriorated and I spent the extra $6,000 per month on medical bills and a fine to buy myself out of the place because I was unable and unwilling to work out the full month's notice!

Check out the school climate of the Guangzhou place before you leave heaven.

Look before you make the "great leap forward".

Russell123 · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 237

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Middle East? No thanks! The possible new job would pay 18000 per month. My current salary certainly allows me to save each month and, like I said, I'm fine with it - - it's just all those dollar signs in my eyes are making my head spin!!

philbags · Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 149 Location: 1962-69

sorry, i cant say anything 'bout salaries in china cos i dont live there. im thinking about it tho' . just got turned on by the crossed similies- for a couple of years ive been plagued by thoughts of the chickens coming out of the closet and the skeletons coming home to roost. my father used to say" its all just pie on the wind" - dont know what it means.
if you saw a brand of peanuts which said " Now, with one extra peanut!", would you buy it ? thats an indonesian payrise. I dont live there either.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Problem solved - - was turned down for the job because I don't have a high school teaching degree (a requirement due to teaching higher maths and sciences), but they certainly turned around and offered me another job in Shanghai for about the same salary as I'm currently making, so I passed. If anyone out there has the credentials and would like me to pm them the link, I'd be happy to do so.

Hendahu · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 69

To thy own self be true. If it is indeed a better offer, take it. But..............( there is always a big old but)..more money does not always translate into happiness. Are you happy where you are now? Are you treated fairly(I mean by Chinese standards)? These are thing to consider. Even with more money, it could be a long year if the school is poorly run or other situations arise that are not present at your current school. Investigate as much as you can before making that decision.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou