Job Discussion Forums

seagull · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Perth, Australia

Hi, I have been offered a job at a public university in Qingdao, Shandong province teaching 16 hours a week but the monthly salary is a colossal 3500 RMB. This job does appeal to me because it is in a reasonable location and my preference is to work for a university or public college. I also wish to live in an area that speaks Mandarin.

But the wage seems to be quite low. I know lots of posters here will say "don't take the job, you bring all other FTs down blah blah".I have told the school that I received a similar university offer in another location with the same conditions but higher pay, but it is in a crap backwater location (obviously I did not tell them that part).

But I am wondering, as a first timer to China do I even have a leg to stand on? Or will my inexperience mean I have no chance of salary negotiation? I'd appreciate if you can post your experience with negotiating pay and if I have any chance of a wage increase. Thanks.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

Others here will likely disagree...

It costs me 5 RMB to eat to bursting each day. Add another 20 RMB for other luxuries and my monthly expenses are 750 if not 400RMB. A pittance. To be sure 3500 is low. If you can negotiate try to get at least 5k as the minimum with paid single unshared housing. That is just too thin a margin.

Unless you are in the retiree/volunteer mode and do not need to save any money at all for trips, trains, next years flight, etc.

With that budget you could save 2000 RMB per month. Only3500 USD. Not a lot of room for error. You'll will need flight money and another 2k USD as safety margin. Bug out cash.

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

I would keep looking because of all these reasons others listed. Unless money is not that big a deal to you, or you have zero experience and really love the area.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

I have seen similar offers in Qingdao, guess thats the going rate. Why don't you take the position for one or two semesters, get some experience and then look for higher paying work.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I've been quick to judge lately, but I thought about it some more.

3500 for 16 hours a week is perhaps 7000 for 32 hours a week, which isn't great in my eyes, but acceptable in a crunch.

I get a flat rate of 100 RMB an hour and work over 30 hours a week, all included. but I do work hard for it. No games, strict attention to detail, and have to produce results (ie, kids' exams and report cards have to show an improvement)

I'd echo others and say 3500 is too low, maybe shoot for 6000 and accept 5000?

[edit]

And I should point out for an FYA:

Schools know foreign teachers are not cheap, and they budget as such. So if a power-that-be can lowball, he/she will, and use the rest of the budget for him/herself.

Be warned that if they have a list of people to teach for them and you are at the top and they have (no disrespect to others meant here) an Irish guy under you, followed by a South African and a few black Africans or Chinese-Americans at the bottom, and the Irish guy would accept 3500, you might find yourself looking for a new job.

That said, I do wish you all the best of luck.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

You have a problem trying to get more. My university has found an American agency of some description that sends over a constant stream of very young holiday makers (sorry! FT's) who are prepared to amuse the students for anywhere between 2500 and 3000 rmb per month for 16 hours.

No doubt you will told what a staggering salary 3500 rmb is as the Chinese teachers get 2500 per month.

What they will omit to tell you is that the Chinese teachers get 14 months salary per year (a bonus equal to two months salary is paid before Spring Festival) while you will get 10 months salary. Chinese teachers also get a whole stream of additional benefits such as schemes to buy houses cheaply, schemes to buy a car, pension contributions, insurance etc.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

I am sorry ECC. I can now see what you are getting at. My wording in the last sentence is erroneous. I will go back and review it.

seagull · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Perth, Australia

I received a reply from the school about salary negotiation above 3500 RMB. The guy from the international office of the university basically said it was a no go because all FTs at the university are supposedly at that level. He did agree to increase the travel allowance from 1100 RMB to 2200 RMB per semester. I am not sure how true this is at all. Anyway he is on leave for a couple of weeks so it gives me time to make look elsewhere and make a decision. Thank you for your comments.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

3500 may be a bit low but it's actually a pretty good per hourly rate. You have to consider that sometimes you'll have only a few hours work but a whole month's pay When I added up the extras like an apartment and my airfare to Eastern Canada, my hourly rate came to around 200 Kwai per hour. That's excellent. Also, university jobs are generally weekday. Plenty of opportunately to moon-light evenings and weekends. Most teachers I knew did that.

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:09 am Post subject:

Jayray · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 373 Location: Back East

The OP has a lot of time to look for a job.

Shandong is not the poorest province, so there's no reason for such low pay.

I'd say thanks, but no.

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

Read this thread to get a better round of opinions on this exact same topic:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=77233