Job Discussion Forums

[joncharles]

I am not familiar with China, as my past experience has been in Japan. I have been extended an offer from a school in Zhangshan for 5000 rmb monthly, plus housing, transportation, meals. Can that still be negotiated up or do schools usualy stand firm? I'd like 6000.

They want an answer soon... I would hate to accept and then have a better offer come down the pipe. Although 5000 is pretty good for China from what I hear and see.

[kev7161]

5000 IS pretty good. You could try bluffing. Tell them you have had another offer (or offers) and throw around a few numbers. They may tell you to go for one of those other jobs and "good luck"! Or you could ask for 6000 (and be sure to explain why you think 6000 is more reasonable - - work history, experience, education, etc.) and they might meet you halfway at 5500. Or they might say "good luck!" and send you on your way. It's always a crapshoot.

[ChinaLady]

it is not only the basic monthly RMB. are they paying for the flat? the utilties? the tv cable? the internet? daily English newspaper? transportation to a large market weekly? bottled water? semester travel allowance? roundtrip air at contract end? this is nickle and dime stuff BUT it adds up really fast.
a friend makes 5,000 a month but has meals in the canteen (if chooses), all utilities paid and free use of a campus car and driver. so the 5000 goes along ways.
we are learning that the benefit package may be worth more in the long run. ask, ask, ask!

[windsorman1972]

If you really want the job and it's at a university, I wouldn't try to negotiate salary if you feel you are about where you should be for salary based on your education and experience. Many foreign affairs officers will withdraw an offer if you question the salary and the terms. But a lot of private schools might give you a few extra dollars if they are desperate enough. Same thing with contract terms. Private schools seem to have a greater tolerance for making wording changes and such than universities do.

[Roger]

Coming in the middle of the current school term, you are no doubt bound for some private training centre. Then, I would say, 5000 is more like the bottom than anywhere else.
This is an acceptable salary for 20 to 25 hours a week; in addition you should get:
- airfare;
- furnished housing;
- work visa and residence permit at employer's cost;
- transportation;
- holidays: far shorter than at public schools... but some holidays
they must remunerate you for.

Anyway, these are the basics; how about utilities? You will need a lot of aircon power. I suppo9se you are going to Zhongshan, Guangdong province - expect summer temperatures to hover between 25 early at dawn, and 35 in the afternoon, and summer night highs of 28 degrees... very high humidity.

There are a number of private training centres in Zhongshan - Modern English, Best English, Bond. Many will loan you out to public schools; in that case, you will be on the road a lot of the time... that's a serious downside compared to on-site housing and employment jobs! If you have to go by public buses... thanks, but my appetite is not exactly great!
Also expect a lot of timetable modifications that always are communicated to you at the last possible moment!

[La Paz]

Yeah, listen to Roger.
That will cut into your picture taking of young girls time. You will have less time to post your conquests on your website. Roger thinks those Guangdong girls are the hottest. Especially the young ones.