Job Discussion Forums

[jonnyidaho]

I've searched this forum trying to find what kind of salary to request at Sakkara without much luck. Is 6000 LE reasonable for someone with a BA, TEFL, and 1 year experience? Should I aim high and risk scaring them off? I'm not keen on getting locked into a contract and realizing two months into it that I need to be making more money (doing this once was enough for me). Conversely, I don't want to make such a high request that I never hear back from them!

Do salary questions in this forum tend to go unanswered for professional reasons, shyness, or what?

jonnyidaho

[omar_]

6000LE? That's actually VERY GOOD! That's pretty much the good standard for native English speakers with experience. Actually, people who have Master's are supposed to make a little more than that. You said you only had a Bachelor's...

6000 is great while living in Egypt. If you are planning to something with that money in some other country than that's a different story. Actually if you're planning on that, Egypt is not the place for you then.

[veiledsentiments]

Most comments on Sakkara have complained of the low salary in the past. I suspect that they tell you what the pay will be and you take it or leave it.

Unless you have a high degree and/or extensive related experience, I doubt that you have too much negotiation leeway.

VS

[stoth1972]

Ditto on VS's comment about Sakkara salary (and most schools, for that matter) given your experience and qualifications. I recall someone posting on here from Sakkara claiming to have received in the ballpark of 3000 (my friend got that much in 2000)...perhaps even a bit lower.

Ok, I'm no Choueifat stooge!!! But they did pay us in dollars and our salaries were written in dollars. That meant that as the poor EGyptian pound floated, our salaries increased (without TOO much increase in the cost of goods). I think we all started around 5200 LE/month and buy the end of the contract, we taking in equivalent to almost 8000. I think 6000 LE/month would be a nice salary....considering you'll be paying your own rent (at least sharing) this would work. Be prepared to except less in smaller language schools and adult ESL work.

[jonnyidaho]

Omar- thanks for the reply. I am presently only looking to live rather comfortably in Cairo during my time there, with no plans for saving or other activities. If 6000 LE is the "good standard" for native speakers with experience, then I feel like I should aim for this given that I am a native speaker with experience (albeit one that has yet to land in Egypt. ha!)

As stated earlier, I am sitting on only a BA.

VS, your prior posts have leant me a great deal of insight, thank you. I now, however, find you asserting that you suspect that Sakkara "tells you what the pay will be and you take it or leave it".

I started this thread reagarding what to request from Sakkara because they ask the inquiring teacher to state his/her expected salary. The language of their ad on this site asks me to state what I would like/expect to earn. Perhaps ultimately they will tell me what they will pay but the stage that I am at with them (namely, the application stage), specifically mentions that one include his/her expected salary in the cover letter.

Given that you are so quick to tell new posters to check past threads/postings, I would hope that you are already aware of what kind of "negotion leeway" I have given my (twice) aforementioned qualifications.

Perhaps you could humor me and throw out a ballpark figure?

stoth1972, 5200 LE is a nice starting wage but it's a far cry from the 1600USD you mentioned earlier in this forum. 8000 LE is close but that's probably quite a long shot for someone with my qualifications.

Perhaps I should restate my original question: What should someone with a BA, TEFL, and 1 year experience, ask for in their first contact with Sakkara?

[TravellingT]

the normal salary at Sakkara is 3100LE and no more. That doen't matter what level of experience you have. I had a Bachelors degree, TEFL and over 3 years experience. The good part about Sakkara is that they pay airfare (reimbursed at mid-year for half and the other half upon completion), housing (shared), and you get 2 weeks paid vacation at the end of your contract. AND you are always paid on time which is nice.

You can try to negotiate but if you expect to get 6000LE to be a teacher there you're wasting your time. It will never happen. I'd suggest Choueifat as they get paid in dollars (approx. 1400USD a month and then LE for the remainder of their salary) and they will hire foreigners without B. Ed.

If you aren't looking to save money or to travel abroad then you can easily travel around Egypt on the Sakkara salary. Get yourself a few private on the side if you want soem extra cash - the kids are always in need of them there.

[veiledsentiments]

[jonnyidaho]

TravellingT, Ouch! 3100 LE sounds quite low to me. I suppose I'll put Sakkara on the backburner for now. Although if you think 3100 affords one a fair amount of comfort then I'll take it.

VS, fair enough. thanks again.

[omar_]