Job Discussion Forums

[desertdust]

I have received an email attached with an official application form, saying that I am through to the second stage of the application process.

However, one of the questions asks, how much do you expect to be paid? It's a uni gig, with about 20-25 hrs teaching a week. Accommodation provided. Can't provide much more information than that.

Classes are no larger than 20 students. This question is actually really annoying as it should be up to the employer to make the first move and not the pendiing teacher.

What would be the best answer to give without offending? Should I just ask for a copy of the contract. Advice needed.

[TexasHighway]

Congratulations on reaching the second plateau of the application process. That certainly is a horrendous amount of hours for a university gig. They definitely should pay you well! Just politely state that you prefer that they make the first move on a salary offer. If that offends them, you probably wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

[dog backwards]

This must be a private university. Public universities don't do this. Even then, it makes no sense that the university wouldn't have a set wage. Are you sure that you are corresponding with the school and not a recruiter?

You need to know how many different subjects that you will teach if they're going to dicker with you over pay.

Twenty-two hours is ungodly.Get the specifics before you talk wage.

[tributary]

[Laurence]

Yeah that is a really annoying question for them to ask.

The more professional establishments tend to have a set payscale.
Having each teacher negotiate their own wage leads to guarded secrecy in the workplace, which not really conducive to a positive working environment.

The only logical reason that they wouldn't state a salary is if they are going to sell a job to the lowest bidder - or at least take this into account during hiring.

not a good sign.


I have been in this situation before and I researched what similar positions paid and priced myself accordingly.

[rogerwilco]

Just do an internet search on the school.
You might find current and/or old job ads for the
school with the salaries listed.

You might also find other info that will help you decide
whether or not you would like to work there.

[randyj]

I agree with dog and Laurence. The number of hours and the question about salary indicate that the offer is not coming from a public university. Public universities, as bureaucratic institutions, have little leeway in terms of salary.

[xjgirl]

either do private universities for that matter,
when their main priority in life is to squeeze every last penny of profit out of it

[desertdust]

Sorry, I gave the wrong information. The working hours are 15-18 per week.

The job entails teaching Chinese students for an undergraduate English program

for entry to foreign universities. It is a joint venture of two universities, one

from Hong Kong and the other from the mainland. A figure of 8000rmb is

mentioned in an advert from about 6 months ago. This figure is so low. As

many people have mentioned I'd prefer to teach kindy in Shanghai for this

pittance. However, it may open more doors to opportunity.

[Gamecock]

[desertdust]

Thanks 'Gamecock', I was hoping for a more professional approach from the

students but you never know. How much does your friend receive each month?

What are his benefit entitlements? i.e. holidays (vacation time), medical, flights

and accommodation like etc.

[Gamecock]

I actually have no idea about his salary. He gets a housing alottment and lives off-campus in a private apartment. I really don't know the details of anything else, just heard him complaining on more than one occasion how much he regretted taking the job because the students were so miserable.

[desertdust]

Okay, thanks for the information. I don't expect a walk in the park but that

sounds really depressing. It's though the teacher must bring 'the apple to

school' and not the student. What salary would you want for the job?