Job Discussion Forums

[mcgillaa]

I really want to thank you "Sir" and "Marco" for the insights. I have looked at Shenzhen and applied to some of the schools there, as well as learning centers and other schools in HK/Kowloon/NT proper, however I have been finding that a lot of places, even learning centers, are not too keen on trying to sponsor someone to HK unless they have certifications or degrees that are about 3 levels above my own. Thankfully I haven't been turned down or notified of being turned down by many of the places I have applied to yet, and a lot of them offer positions between 17,500 HKD- 25,000 HKD/Month, and some do include housing.

I am not looking to come to HK and live large my first year, and I am well aware that it may be difficult the first year I am there, but I have had to deal with living on a very tight budget before, and am willing to do so if necessary. However, if it is effectively impossible to live in HK on a Chatteris salary (HKD 13,000/month minus approx 2500 HKD sent home for student loans) then it is good to know. I personally do not know the cost of things like electric (on average) or internet access (on average) or the average cost of living cheaply when it comes to food, but many of my friends there have stated that it would be very difficult unless I supplemented my income in other ways.

If anyone has other possible companies or learning center names, that would be wonderful and extremely helpful. I have applied to about 30 different schools and learning centers, but I know there are some I must be missing.

Thanks again for the wise counsel, I really appreciate it.

[once again]

I am not aware of any of the incidents that yes sir talks about. Can I ask yes sir to post some links to these offences? Then we can all find out.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Two members are engaging in personal attacks and insults on this thread and so several postings have been deleted. A repeat of such behaviour will result in an immediate permanent ban. Address the message and not the messenger.

This is a very final warning and applicable to all future postings on all threads by the 2 members mentioned above.

[austeacher]

My experience with Chatteris was that they only hire non-teachers. What I mean is that they give consideration only to fresh graduates just out of undergrad studies. I infact contacted them and they said we 'generally only deal with applicants who are considering taking up teaching studies in the future'. So it is not unusual that rates of pay are lower as are other incentives to work with them, as they only recruit newbies.

BTW. Marcoregano's postings are very helpfull with plenty of insight.

[mcgillaa]

Yes, I have found this as well. I interviewed with Chatteris and was turned down. While they did not give a reason, I can assume that a lot of it had to do with the fact that I am not fitting the general type of person they tend to recruit, and I am looking to teach and stay in Hong Kong for some time, which isn't something they necessarily will attempt to allow for their organization.

It's currently looking somewhat bleak for me with regards to being able to teach in Hong Kong. At least not without some form of experience beyond what I already have. I may end up having to go to Japan, Taiwan, or Korea and begin there, with the goal to be Hong Kong next year. I really hope this isn't the case, but it is a possibility.

[Yes Sir I Can Bogey]

[mcgillaa]

YSICB,

In all honesty, if Hong Kong is "crying out" for teachers, I have yet to see it, or I just do not fulfill the desired possible teacher mold. I have scoured much of the sites offered, SCMP, ESLcafe, ESLjobs, etc... and I am finding that the average salary offered for HK teaching jobs as a starting teacher, or one needing sponsored from outside of Hong Kong is around 22,000 HKD. The 30,000+ HKD jobs appear to be limited to either people with boatloads of experience, or to the NET schemes run by the government. Even most of the private schools with large student bodies are only offering approximately 22,000 HKD/month with some form of housing provided, for ESL teachers.

With regards to your statement about financial commitments, I have very few that would tie me back home, thus I would be financially able to handle a lower end salary. Something that people who have graduated university in the last five years in my country have come to expect is to have less than lucrative jobs, as the mean job salaries in the US for any non-engineering/science/math/type of job is around 30,000 USD/year or less. I am not looking for something to live large on, or something that would allow me to own a large apartment or a vehicle, I am looking for a job that will allow me to live in and experience Hong Kong, and be a springboard for better things. I don't need 30,000 HKD/month + 15,000 HKD/month housing allowance for that.

All that having been said, I am still working hard, applying to places, doing interviews, and hoping for the best while prepping for the "worst". It is possible that I will have to actually take a lower paying job for a year, just to get in country, as I have seen many good job opportunities that are only accepting applications from people "in Hong Kong" or able to "Interview in Hong Kong", something my current status as living in the US doesn't allow.

Anyway, still hoping and trying.

[GoGoHorrorshow]

I agree with mcgillaa, i haven't found any viable job opportunities in Hong Kong. It seems as if everything requires a teaching certification (TEFL, TESOL, CETLA etc). I'm about to graduate uni this June, and haven't had time to get any certification yet. I want to leave for Hong Kong by September though, and i've been looking for opportunities since February, but nothing, other than Chatteris. They contacted me and informed me I made their "shortlist" but haven't heard from them since, so I'm not holding my breath (it's been two weeks).

Are there any jobs for someone like me? Recent uni grad, unrelated degree (psychology), no teaching certificate. I'm getting offers from South Korea and Japan, so I don't really know why I can't seem to find anything for HK.

[Marcoregano]