Job Discussion Forums

[chuckMC]

Hello,

I have been offered a job with a company called: beijing chaoyang district vocational education industry cooperation center. Do you guys know them? They offered me 25 hours a week for a salary of 17,500 (Pre-tax). Is this a good deal?


Thanks

[teenoso]

If you clear 16,000 a month, that's an average 160 yuan per hour: acceptable in some places, but not I think in Beijing.
If they give you free accommodation then that could be worth 4000+ a month.

[chuckMC]

After tax. I would receice 14000 rmb for 25 hours taught. Is this too low for a position in Beijing?

By the way, this organization cooperates with public schools in the Chaoyang District.

[Shanghai Noon]

Why is your tax rate so high? They should be writing off your monthly rent.

[7969]

[Laurence]

[chuckMC]

Well, I do have paid winter vacation. But the contract is a little tricky. My base salary is only 6000 rmb for 10 classes. But if I want to teach 10 additional classes a week I will get 13,500 rmb. Moreover, for an additional 5 classes I will get paid 200 rmb for each. This would total 25 classes for 17,500 rmb.

In my case, the class number has been broken up into pieces. Therefore, I can't really get a measure of how much I will be paid for the winter vacation.:/
Is it normal for an organization to do this? They promised me verbally to give me 25 hours a week.

As for the taxes, 7969 got it correct. I will be paying into the social security system. My after tax income will be roughly 14,000 rmb for 25 hours taught. Is this an acceptable offer?

By the way, I have 2 years experience and a TEFL certificate, and a bachelor's degree.

[currentaffairs]

I would be concerned at the base salary and the verbal promise of giving you 25 hours every week... If I was just using this gig as a way to get into China/Beijing and get my feet under the table I wouldn't be so concerned. I would expect to be short-changed.

[chuckMC]

Currentaffairs, good observation! I am still concerned about the offer.

[LarssonCrew]

So basically this is a way of them, with this base salary trick, to only pay you 6000 for the holidays.

Also it means that for the golden week in October you will only receive 6000 + 4 weeks extra classes.

If you want to live in Beijing on your own and not sharing [depends if you like that, I'm not a student so I don't] , then realistically you're looking at 5000 for something decent up, plus your bills [internet, gas, electric, your community fees etc plus winter heating] so probably you're looking at AT LEAST 6000 RMB a month, which, for 100 hours a month drops you down to what?8000 RMB, and in winter holiday you will basically just cover your rent and bills.

Remember also that, unless stated, you could potentially do one school monday and tuesday, two more weds and thurs and another friday, so you may, in theory, have a huge commute [Beijing is big], and if you're late or something comes up you're looking at an expensive taxi ride to get there. Probably looking at at least 300 RMB a month in commuting costs to get to the schools.

Is it office hours? If so, you may be getting 8000 after accommodation for 170 hours a month or so, which is shocking. On 8000 in Beijing you probably won't save alot, you could live certainly and have some fun, but you'd probably struggle to save more than 3000 if you lived frugally.

Remember too, which is overlooked, that you will have to find your own place and that means, yep, 3 months + 1 month + 1 month, if your place is 6000 RMB [1000 dollars give or take] you will need to stump up 5 months worth of that, plus your initial flight, plus your visa costs uipfront [maybe 10000+ dollars, plus your first months living in Beijing, plus in your flat you may need to put 500 on your electricity card, and pay a years internet up front [200 or so dollars].

Anyway, if you come on your own, unless you can find an airbnb or something you'd be looking at around 6 or 7000 dollars satrt up, and then after your first month you'll get around 2000 dollars after bills. So you'll need 4 months of pay just to 'get even'.

[Non Sequitur]

Remember also that, unless stated, you could potentially do one school monday and tuesday, two more weds and thurs and another friday, so you may, in theory, have a huge commute [Beijing is big], and if you're late or something comes up you're looking at an expensive taxi ride to get there. Probably looking at at least 300 RMB a month in commuting costs to get to the schools.

It may be worse and the school day may be divided into 2.
Mornings at one school and afternoons at another. Commuting is in YOUR time and on YOUR dollar.
I've yet to see one redeeming feature to this offer.

[mrpianoman]

You can get more than that surely in Beijing. I haven't been there but one company have said 16000 + free accommodation. So that must be worth 20k altogether.

[chuckMC]

Thanks guys! You all are lifesavers. I will definitely turn down this offer after what you guys have just said. What offers should I be looking for in Beijing? I have 2 years experience, TEFL cert, and Bachelor's degree in unrelated subject.

[Non Sequitur]

I'll get roasted for this, BUT if you're new to China get a bog standard public u job first up.
Then in Y2 you can look around.
The type of position you are looking at have just too many unknown or undefined aspects.
But get cracking mate. The hiring season for Sept start is well upon us.
Best

[LarssonCrew]

I agree with NS.

If you can find a uni or a high school job where you are directly employed AND they provide housing then you can essentially choose how much you earn.


Let's say a uni pays 8000 plus housing, and you need to do 20 hours a week. There'so much part time work in BJ on 200+ an hour if you do 10 extra hours you're adding 8000 plus to your salary, PLUS you don't have a huge initial outlay.