Job Discussion Forums

[Piper2]

[jimpellow]

I think there is a common sense to it, but I will use my personal example as I think it is more typical than not.

When I went to Jiangsu seven years ago on a a tourist visa, which was converted in province to a Z-visa, I worked at a Web. My salary was 8000 plus apartment. I did not have to do a pre-medical, have degrees authenticated, submit a criminal background check, etc. Using the present standards of two years prior teaching experience, I wouldn't have even been able to come as I came from a business consulting background.

I don't have a criminal record (though I should) but would have that expense and possibly still the pre medical. Now I live in the Philippines and would most likely need to fly back to the US or work out it out through expensive courier services, etc.

This deal is certainly not looking so good. But maybe they have raised the salary to entice me and help offset all the added time and expense I would need to put up before even arriving? Well, not in the case of the Web I went to.

That Web still offers 8000. But since my first offer I would now have to pay income tax. I would also have to pay social insurance (though almost most I should eventually get back, at least in theory). What abut inflation? Inflation has averaged about 5.71 percent in China over the last seven years. Hence, the current salary to account for inflation alone would need to be 11,801.

Now I have seen salaries rise for subjects I subsequently taught, even though I had a good laugh today at an ad for a physics teacher for 6000.

Anyways, an interesting discussion.

[Non Sequitur]

I think it is more complex than just tightening of regs.
The general rebounding of Western economies especially the US, means fewer applicants and this accentuates the regulation problem.
Whether this translates into higher salaries? Mmmmm.
PS I would not have obtained my first job (04) under the current regime.

[kungfuman]

I'm in Suzhou now and the largest issue concerning foreign teachers is NOT visa and regulations.

Many of my friends and coworkers have left because the pollution is so bad that they are getting sick.

And I don't mean from crap-ass jobs. Several of them were making 35,000rmb a month as certified BC teachers. They all stated the same reason - they - we - me are sick from the air pollution.

I have never smoked a day in my life but on most days I cough like a 3 pack a day smoker.

As nice as Suzhou is and as laid back as it is the pollution was off the chart more days then it was on the chart.

Right now my school needs about 15 teachers at an average pay of 12-15k a month - not for the BC classes - and according to the DOS he's having a real hard time finding qualified teachers.

Personally I am more worried about my health than I have ever been in my life. Outside I am often gasping for breath. Inside I have the AC set to 20 (or less) and all the windows closed.

School starts Sept 1 or so and I am also seriously consider LEAVING.

[Non Sequitur]

Excellent point Kungfuman.

[SH_Panda]

Part of my job is to recruit teachers and I have definitely found it much harder this year. The quality and quantity of applications have decreased markedly.

I never even considered that the pollution could be the problem! It makes sense now I think about it, since it's been reported a lot in the western media in the past year or so.

[Piper2]

To summarise posts so far...
There has been a reduction in applicants over the last year (in some regions at least).
It seems reasonable to believe this reduction is largely due to the enforcement of stricter regulations and air pollution. Additionally, home country conditions have improved.

But is the situation bad enough yet for state and private schools to improve offers to attract good, qualified applicants?

Do you think some/many schools will react by attempting to employ unqualified FTs illegally? Has there been an increase in dodgy offers? I have the impression that illegal employment is a far greater risk for the (naive/oblivious/negligent/reckless) FT than for the school. But is this changing?

One might think that a continued reduction in applicants is good news for qualified FTs in China. Surely this should eventually result in schools offering better pay/package?

[buravirgil]

[Piper2]

[buravirgil]

[jimpellow]

buravirgil does make an excellent point. Thank God I am a political economist by education so I could understand half of it.

As for the improving job market, I personally feel the job market is structurally screwed long term, and hence, would expect an increase in supply from Western countries which has not occurred.

Is pollution a factor? Of course, in particular for retention in cities gagging from it. But I don't personally feel it is the main factor. If it was one would expect that one would see it more often in the postings here. One does not. One sees post after post as relates to medicals, two years experience, visa runs, etc.

I would think there is an increasing awareness too of all that can be ugly about coming to teach in China (recruiters, skimmed wages, horrific housing and on and on). Someone told me that is why South Korean schools have to offer such high salaries in relation to the cost of living.

[buravirgil]

[Piper2]

[buravirgil]

[Piper2]