Job Discussion Forums

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

The job is with an international law firm�s office in Beijing. It involves a mix of mostly editing legal documents and tutoring Chinese legal staff in Legal English. The hours would be 9-6 Monday to Friday with some overtime. It is a permanent position. Their requirements are: law degree, practice certificate and experience, and a teaching qualification.

I had a phone interview two hours after forwarding my resume which caught me more than a little off guard. I was asked about salary expectations and I managed to stall by telling them I needed to have some time to assess exactly what the job required as well as industry standards.

I have only had one job in China. I have been at the same university for two years and have no real idea what the industry standard would be. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Qinjingyou · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 10

What do you mean by industry standard? What kind of industry is a law office involved with? Are you asking how much to ask for salary?

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

So they're asking you to work basically a 40 hour week (assuming you have a lunch break, probably from 12-2ish?)? You'd better ask to be very well compensated, otherwise it just isn't worth it. You need to provide more details, if you have them. Will they provide you with an apartment? If not, then they'd better provide a hefty housing stipend.

I've never worked in Beijing, so someone smack me if I'm way off the mark, but for those kinds of hours, in that city, I'd expect at least 15,000RMB a month (with an apartment) and more like 20,000RMB a month if there isn't an apartment. You could honestly probably push for more than that, but that would be a minimum for me if I were going to work a 40 hour week in Beijing. I have friends who work less hours for about 10,000 over there (with no apartment provided, rent, they tell me, runs about 3000 a month, again, correct me if I'm wrong) and still sometimes have trouble making ends meet.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

Sorry about the lack of details. All the recruiter will tell me is that they are �quite flexible� as to the package and it is considered an expat job. The firm advertised through a legal recruiter. I have an LL.B and M.Ed.

By industry standards I meant what others are getting for similar jobs.

Thanks for the information guys.

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

If you're getting an expat package then aim high. Negotiate for a good apartment and 25,000-30,000 a month if not more. This wouldn't be a standard ESL gig if they're using a legal recruiter to advertise, and if they say it is quite negotiable then you should really be able to get a good salary. I know someone making 20,000 a month for a similar job, but not through a law firm and involving more translation than editing. I feel like you should probably make more than the person I know, considering the level of qualification they're requiring for the job.