Job Discussion Forums

honky_mcgee · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks to anyone that may have some extra time to answer a question or two for me.
I have a BA in English, TEFL certification, and three years teaching experience in foreign countries. I'm wandering what type of salary I could expect with these creds. I've read everything from 1,200 to 2,000 USD equivalent per month. That seems a bit high but I'd hope for something around 1,600 USD. Is this feasible?
Also from what I've read is that it is suggested to apply for positions inside the country. This isn't so much a problem for me as I'm homeless after my last job anyways, lol. Is late October/early November an ok time to be looking for jobs in Instanbul?
My last question is how hard is it to secure a working visa? I'd rather not have a job that won't sponsor me on one.
Thanks again and if there is anything else I might need to know please offer.
Cheers.

ossie39 · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 105

Hi honky mcgee. Well i must say that job hunters appointed from inside the desired country, especially in the case of Turkey, don't get a return travel allowance (usually mostly paid at the end of a contract) , understandably so really.
Tecnnically you are supposed to apply from outside the country but I don't think applying in the country would be a real problem. Teachers do drop out for genuine reasons in the academic year and one or two language schools can experience a need for an additional teacher.
I think you might get a minimum $1500 in Istanbul, but think about other cities too which aren't so expensive. Good luck.

tanzania · Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 22 Location: TURKEY

19 - 21ytl per hour is about right. Schools often offer free accommodation, usually shared, on top of this. Flight money in advance is rare nowadays but you can expect a bonus of sorts at the end of a contract.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

1600 US... That's... about 2300 TL at the current exchange rate I think(give or take a couple hundred TL). Yeah, that should be possible, though it may take a little while to work up to it if you start with a part time gig or a school that pays hourly.

2000 US? That's about 3000 TL. Yeah, that's certainly possible too with some luck or some time to get a feel for the scene. Istanbul's actually a great place to make a decent living... Or a great place to just be laid back and earn enough to get by. Depends what you're looking for.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

would savings as a percentage of gross salary be higher in places like Sivas, Urfa, Adana?

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Probably not. If you're only eating at home and you're not going out in the evenings, the only real price difference between the smaller cities and Istanbul will be rent, and that's only going to be a couple of hundred per month if you take the time to find a decent and cheap flat in Istanbul. But your salary will be a LOT smaller (unless there are some super jobs out east that I'm not aware of).

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

Well I've heard that in smaller cities/towns it's much more common for the school to put you up in a shared house/flat, which saves a lot of money. But maybe that's just hearsay. Plus you have to share space with complete strangers so it could work out well... or it could really suck.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Well, I think eclectic is bringing a wife, so I don't think he'd want shared accomodation... But maybe some offer a lojman?

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Yes coffee, Im bringing my wife, so shared would be quite out of the q, u r correct. What is a lojman?

Also, a few hundred a month is a good difference for me. Lets say I make 2000 minus rent/groceries/utilities in Sivas and I net 900 ytl a month, thats $600 US dollars a month, which I feel is OK.

But 2000 in Ist. less 1000 ytl rent/700 ytl groceries/bills leaves 300 ytl or $150-200 savings monthly. Assuming we cook 6 nights and eat out cheaply 1 or 2 days, like pide/lahmajun/salad at a local hole in the wall. No expensive habits here!

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Well, your math makes sense, but I'd guess that you'd be more likely to make around 1500-1700 in Sivas (are there even any schools there?) and closer to 2500-2800 in Istanbul. Basically, the difference between salary will likely be greater than the difference in cost of living. But if others have a different feeling, please share.