Job Discussion Forums

Satorialist · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 3

This would be my first ever teaching job in China so I'm new to this entire process; any major red flags in this contract or is it standard?

I was sent only key parts of the contract to examine, I assume these are the points which are up for a little negotiation (maybe not who knows), I've bolded important bits. I noticed that for the first 6 months I'm working at this place without a VISA.... should I let that stand?

Also, my major concern is the cost of living in Guangzhou? I'm responsible for finding my own apartment there.... any advice for that? Is Guangzhou expensive? Is it safe? A horrible place to live? How does renting as a foreigner in China work exactly, lots of "key" money required upfront?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

I've never lived in Guangzhou, BUT, in Xi'an[a much cheaper city], a decent one bedroom place in good location will take 2,000, plus throw on top utilities, internet, gas, water etc. you could be looking at a further 500, so you'll be down.

And 8,500 for a month in Guangzhou for 40 hours a week of your time!!!

If you taught privately for 150 an hour for ten hours a week you'd make 6000!

6,000 airfare, where will that get you? To the UK via Moscow if you're lucky.

Visa of 6,000 seems reasonable, assuming they don't expect you to visa rush to HK and stay there a few days. I'd forget it for that amount of money, it looks like a slave labour. I make just over 5,000 WITH apartment and all bills paid for 3 hours a week at a university, leaving plenty of free time for privates on the side.

Satorialist · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 3

So it's 9,500 a month salary--for 40 hours a week. How much more should I negotiate without being insulting? What's considered to be baseline "appropriate"?

And is it recommended I negotiate higher salary and less hours or just salary? I agree, 40 hours a week is steep for only 9,500 a month...

The airfare is cause for concern, 3,000 up front and 3,000 at the end of contract for a total of ~$938.00 USD when a plane ticket to China will cost double, even tripple that. Are they intentionally low balling me or really expect me to front over half the cost for air travel alone?

This then brings me to all the unknowns of renting a place in Guangzhou all by myself. Is there traditionally "key money" associated with getting into a decent apartment or is it just month-to-month pay as you go? If it's ~2,500 w/ expenses in much-cheaper Xi'an, it's probably double that in Guangzhou...maybe more?

Thanks for your feedback LarssonCrew, PM sent. EDIT: I can't PM until I have more than 5 posts. I wanted to know if you know of any open University positions like the one you currently have.

Satorialist · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 3

Oh, and working for 6 months without a "work visa" isn't an alarm bell to anyone?

I was thinking of stipulating that if they don't want to give me a work visa from the get-go that I should just have an opt-out clause at the 6 month point where I can leave the school by myself if I so choose, for any reason.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

xjgirl · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 242

get rid of the office hours and it might be ok...that is if you're not teaching kids
Twisted Evil

then i'd run very far away from this offer

currently i make this same salary in the same city,with no probation, working only half the classroom hours, with no office hours,and 3 bedroom apartment included

xjgirl · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 242

travel time between the different franchises will kill you.

also an apartment in central guangzhou will easily cost 3000 not including management fees, electricity etc

xjgirl · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 242

the 3000 every few months for visa sounds suspiciously like a hong kong f-visa run too.

for negotiating, if u still want the job, i'd only expect they'd give u 500 more a month and resent u for it too.

just pass on this offer

igorG · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 1473 Location: asia

The job offer stinks. The door opens to abuse with such clauses as "After probation, the employee�s salary will be adjusted to RMB9,500 based on his probation performance".

Guangzhou is one of the more expensive cities on mainland. Housing is at 2,000-4,000 monthly depending on the location. Three months in advance are also required.

If i were the OP, i'd consider the fact that such employers MAY not be safe to work for. Getting stuck in some rented home somewhere, where i have put some money down, is to be considered. There sure are other opportunities around, although commuting then would be an inconvenience. Mind you, subways can get really busy in rush hour here.

Miajiayou · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 283 Location: Nanjing

Honestly, it just sounds awful. If you have any other job prospects, either at home or in China, don't take it.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I agree with the posters above. Assuming OP, you are eligible for a work visa, you might be better off financially with somewhere that will pay you a lower monthly salary, cover your airfare (or cover it better than 6k RMB for one year), and provide housing instead of a housing allowance. Especially for a first timer to China. I wouldn't be surprised if the school owner or DOS has a friend with an apartment to rent for a bit more than the stipend and needs 3 months deposit.

The hours are way too much for the salary. The salary isn't bad for China, but if you had a lower hourly commitment you could make up the salary in private lessons. In an out of the way tiny city in a poorer province, it might be a good deal, but Guangzhou is more expensive.

Remember to judge the pay from the total package:

*Salary,

*Housing,

*Airfare,

*Free time (because it's not difficult to find side opportunities, even through the school sometimes in the case of public schools.)

*Ability/inclination to provide documents for a z-visa before entering, or at least to pay for a Hong Kong trip and subsequent z-visa after arriving on a tourist visa. Because all visas cost the same, teacher should pay at most once when entering the country in response to a job offer.

Take an offer that provides fewer mandatory hours, a work visa and housing (not shared unless you prefer) and better airfare, even if the job pays a lower monthly salary. You can possibly impress your boss enough for a substantial raise the next contract, or be in a better viewpoint to compare other job offers.

Mr. English · Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 298 Location: Nakuru, Kenya

I have lived in Guangzhou for more than 2 years. I pay 4000 a month, plus about 250 a month for building fees, electricity, and gas, for a good-quality, furnished, though small (66 square meters), apartment in central Tianhe, the business district. From what I hear I think I have a fairly good deal. You have to put down the first month and a 2-month deposit when you move in. If you go through a realtor, the fee is one month's rent, half paid by you, half by the owner of the apartment. You can find places quickly, possibly on the same day, though if you want to get the best price you probably need to look a little longer. I am not all that familiar with rents in other districts, but I think you can find as low as 2000 a month in Guangzhou, but this would be way out there; you would do lots of commuting to get this low.

You shouldn't have to work 40 hours to get 9500 in Guangzhou.

krayola · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 38

40 hours is steep for that amount of pay, but I'm guessing a sizeable amount will be prep time, so could be alright.

What I do know is that you can get a place to live for 2000RMB, DEFINITELY.

Tianhe is one of the most expensive parts of GZ, along with Zhujiang New Town/Xincun. Yes, they are expat hubs and offer plenty of comforts, but you can find apartments of good quality in other parts of town, perhaps Jiangnanxi, Haizhu, Gongyuanqian, or Ximenkou for 2500. If you want a squat toilet, 2000RMB. With a Chinese person doing the negotiating it could be even lower.