Job Discussion Forums

[Millyz]

Hi,
I've been trawling around the topics but haven't found answers to some of my questions.
I asked a number of questions in my first interview; socio-economics of students, classes I'd be teaching, who I'd be working with, hours, my role etc.
I am now expecting an interview with the principal of my prospective school next week. What I really want to ask them is about the curriculum (a timeline of events) - so that I know what's expected of me & how hard I'm really going to have to work, but don't want to come across as an uppity westerner. I can't think of anything else, aside from pay, (again will I come across as an uppity westerner) that I really want to ask in the interview.
Can anyone suggest reasonable questions?
English Club: I have a number of ideas about things I could do (wonder what I could actually sustain), but wanted to hear what others are doing.
Shipping: I've heard that a small amount of shipping is paid for. Can anyone give me an idea of how much (size)? I mostly want to ship some resources and a few personal items (not the contents of my flat).
A home: The position is in Sau Mau Ping. Tseung Kwan O (Hang Hau) has been suggested to me as a good & reasonably priced place to live. I have been looking on asiaxpat.com but can't find the area- Is it listed under a broader district (which as a newbie I'm unaware of)?
What other sites might be useful for finding an apartment? Furthermore, can anyone suggest any other areas which may be suitable? I do not want to feel isolated (The school is Chinese medium of instruction)- I can only speak English and a smattering of German (Not very helpful in HK). I want to spend approx $8000 on rent (Is this reasonable)? I think I like the idea of having a haven to come home to, possibly in a quieter area, after a long days work & taking myself into the hustle and bustle if that's what takes my mood.
Or would it be wiser to live on Hong Kong island? Maybe getting inside the apartment will be haven enough?
Backpackers: I suppose initially I'll have to start off in a backpackers any suggestions?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated - I'm sure you'll answer nicely, being aware that I've never been to Hong Kong before and have a myriad of perhaps seemingly silly questions.
Cheers, Milly

[lost_gypsy]

Hi Milly,

Either you think we are all extremely gullible, or you DON'T know how to use a search engine, or the search feature IN these FORUMS.

Just for grins, I found your "Hang Hau of Hong Kong" with that exact search string in Google. The first three hits showed EXACTLY where it is.

As for the English Club ideas, just TRY them and see. I really have a very sneaking suspicion you did NOT do ANY searches for your several questions.

And why ARE you exactly afraid to ask about salary/money? How would THAT make you appear as an uppity westerner? It's a JOB!!! You aren't volunteering are you?

Good luck, and please invite some of us over when you get your $8,000 flat...

[Millyz]

Why thank-you lost_gypsy for your kind and caring response, although I'm not entirely sure why you bothered as you failed to answer any of my questions.
Yes, I was able to locate Hang Hau on a google map (you can clap now) however, I wasn't able to locate it in the classifieds of asiaxpat.com. Hence I wanted people to recommend other real estate sites or let me know if it was under a broader area. (Or can't you read?)
And so what if I'm not an expert on how to use this forum, instead of bagging me out how about being helpful and showing me how?
Yes, I have been reading through these posts, some of which are very old and probably irrelevant now.
Enjoy hiding behind your anonymity. You must either be very bored or very bitter, or both.
Have a nice day

[Sugar Magnolia]

Good job Sweetheart. Don't put up with anyone's shit on this site. They're just losers who can't make it in Hawaii, yet, they contribute their sob story as if they are King.

Really man, no one gives a shit that you mangled an ATM and spent some time in jail. Get over it. Had you ever been in jail before?

I do feel for you regarding the time sentenced.

The next thing you'll be telling us is that you are the Kingpin of a major drug smuggling ring.

Y

[SydGirl2]

There is a forum for PNETS which may answer some of your questions, especially related to accommodation and localities.They may also be able to direct you to a SNET specific site. If you have not got a school yet, you have to use the guest area.

http://www.west-web.net/hkpnetsforum

[kowlooner]

You might also want to look at apartments in Kowloon Bay (Telford Gdns, Amoy) and Laguna City / Lam Tin. Tseung Kwan O is a more newly developed area though. Basically, there are lots of places to rent around those areas, but they'll be fairly small. There are also some village houses in the TKO area, so those might be a consideration (bigger, cheaper, possibly quieter but no guarantee about that). For websites in English, look at gohome.com.hk and midland.com.hk.

[antoniahk]

Regarding pay, if it is a job under the EDB's NET scheme (a lot of schools advertise for a 'NET' but not under the scheme, so often less $$), then you go onto a standard salary scale, based on qualifications and years of experience, plus an allowance (about $14K extra, I think).
$8K should get you perfectly good accommodation if you are in Kowloon/New Territories.

[oxi]

Regarding accommodation. I'd book a hotel for the first month, or hostel depending on your budget. Lots of options around HK$8000. Then start going to property agents and looking in person. Most folk do it that way. The flats advertised over the internet tend to be bigger budget (www.gohome.com.hk mentioned by Kowlooner is about the best, much better than asia/geo expat). HK$8000 is easily do-able. I looked at flats in Tseun Kwan O around that a year ago.

Other things:-

In talks with the school I'd ask lots of questions about what's expected of you, eg:-

Have to go to Cantonese meetings? Teaching oral only or other skills? Exam practise oral only? What 'after school activities - when/how long/weekends? Clearly establish the whens! If you're worried about being uppity, just ask, don't negotiate... yet.

There isn't much point asking the school about salary. They don't set it. The EDB do - ask them, but don't expect a quick answer.

By the way, what is Sugar Magnolia on about?