Job Discussion Forums

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

I have had a few interviews and been made a few offers but I wonder could anyone give me advice.

Is this a good offer? What is a reasonable amount of pay I should ask for? I have no quals or experience so I am grateful especially in this economic climate for any offers but I don't want to get mugged.

I would be grateful for an advice! Hopefully, I can give advice in these forums as I become more experienced. I should add that the comments in this forum have been very useful and the advice invaluable.

Peg Leg Pete · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 80 Location: Moscow

Is it a good offer? The cost of living here in Moscow makes 400rub an hour a very low offer.

Obviously without qualifications/experience the rate of pay you can command is lower than an experienced, qualified teacher.

But 400 rub an hour..... ? My advice would be to invest in a TEFL qualification and then you will at least be offered more than this.

Do they (and who they by the way?) provide visa support, accommodation and general support for you? All necessary for a newcomer.

Hope it all works out and that you can get a better offer

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Well, it's definitely not enough if that'll be your only job. 24 hours at 400 rubles is, what, 9600 rubles (of course, they might offer you more hours, but you might get stuck with less). Rent in Moscow is around 30,000 rubles.
How would one plan to live on that kind of money? I would think 40,000 rubles + accommodation would be the bare minimum in Moscow these days. This would mean you would need to work 100 hours a month, minimum, and that's only if they include rent. If not, you'd have to work more like 175 (!) hours a month.
Doesn't sound like a hot deal to me...

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

It's not only that is a good salary, but what happens when you don't work? What happens with the three months in summer when you don't have classes? What about New Year, when there are no classes between the end of December and January 13-15 or so? How are you going to survive if you get sick or need to take days off for anything else?

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Right, anubistaima (although your first sentence, I think, didn't come out the way you'd wanted). I would not take this offer.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 4:30 am Post subject:

You are being mugged. Don't accept that offer. Apart from it being illegal not to provide holiday pay, insurance etc., 400 rubles is a joke. 'After tax'? Don't make me laugh!! Even the McSchools can do better than that. And I'd seriously dissuade anyone from believing that a 'review', after 3 months no less, is going to improve their lot. Especially as students come and go all the time for reasons that don't always have a lot to do with teaching.

Don't do it. Apply to a McSchool. They don't care a whole lot about qualifications or standards either, and at least you'll have a dingy flat to live in. That counts hugely in Moscow when you are getting started.

Don't do it.

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

NO WAY!!! Horrible offer!!!! Don't do it!!! You simply cannot survive on this.

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

Thanks for all the advice and replies!

Thing is, this was a better offer than most of the big schools who offered nearer 20,000r a month (albeit with accom + holiday pay and so on).

I have taken another offer for only a little bit more but the prospects are better.

Plus, the absence of contracts seems to suggest 'flexibility' so I will keep my eyes open, as my 'employer' inevitably will.

Peg Leg Pete · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 80 Location: Moscow

Flexibility is one thing. Be careful that it doesn't mean that they are flexible as to whether they pay you or not-even the small amount they are offering.

I think accommodation and visa support are important for peace of mind/security. Later you can cast your net wider.

Out of interest, who has made you this offer?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject:

As has been mentioned, a half-decent flat (or a pig-sty) will set you back 30,000 rubles a month at least. Plus the deposit and agent's fee, that's 90,000 upfront. Is accommodation included in your new school? If not, your take-home salary needs to be over 50,000 to be better than the Big Chains.

BTW, if your employer is getting you a work visa, there is an employment contract. There must be to satisfy immigration. Whether or not you even see it, never mind actually sign it, is another matter. You still have rights to holiday pay, no matter what they say...

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

Thanks for all the responses, I have had a few private messages offering advice. I am very grateful. I spent a long time replying to one and then I was told that I have to make 5 posts. So, I will reply in due course.

I will write about my experiences with the schools soon, so that if anyone else goes through it they can be a little wiser about it all than me!