Job Discussion Forums

[smadden]

I was interviewed in Hong Kong (currently working in Bangkok) and was informed that I passed the interview and written test only 4 days after the interview - which was pretty efficient!

However, it is now almost a month since then and I am starting to worry if a January start is a real possibility.

They are currently carrying out qualification, experience and reference checks - but can schools approach me before this is complete?

Given that I had an interview for the British Council in Singapore yesterday and will be informed of the outcome early next week I may have a difficult decision to make!

Should I hold out for Hong Kong or just accept what comes along?

From your experiences, do you think January is a realistic possibility?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

Steven

[munasa]

Steven -- you probably have a good chance for a position in January. Contact the EMB and ask them how far along they are in checking your qualifications and references. They are known for their slowness. There are plenty of primary jobs here, so if you passed the interview and written test and your papers are in order, you should be OK. There is no harm in contacting the EMB recruiting office to see how things are progressing.

The EMB will give your name to a school and the school will contact you with the offer of a position. Although your salary is paid by the EMB, and you are recruited by the EMB, you will eventually sign a contract with your school as your employer.

Some NETs have had less than a month's notice to pack up and come to HK. It's crazy!

Good luck!!

Munasa

[smadden]

Thanks for your advice!

I contacted the EMB and they indicated that the assessment of my qualifications etc would be complete within 2 weeks then they would send my file to schools.

This gives me hope that a January start is in fact possible!

I did receive a job offer from the British Council in Singapore which is definite (29th Dec start) unlike the PNET scheme but I still feel like holding out for a PNET position. I presume that once I am at this stage I will get a job soon? (i.e. they won't say sorry there aren't any positions now?). I will turn down the Singapore position after the weekend I think.

I have a few more questions which have probably been answered previously but an update on the current situation would be useful!

1. Would I have to pay for my own flight out there and then be reimbursed on arrival or would they buy my ticket? I presume there is a limit on the value of the ticket? (flying out at New Year won't be cheap!).

2. I have heard rumours that the special allowance has been increased again (up to 12950HKD rather than 13000HKD!). Is this true and is it likely that I would receive this rate if I started in January?

3. Given that I am currently working in Bangkok, the cost of moving to HK will be a financial burden! Is there still a settling in loan available? How much is this and how is it paid back?

4. Is there much choice in the school you will be sent to? (by location) Would it be better to accept the first offer to ensure I start in January?

Well, sorry for overburdening you with questions, but any further advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks again

Steven

[anninhk]

I agree with the previous poster - there are plenty of jobs so if you have passed all the hurdles you should be guaranteed a job to start in Jan.
You will be reimbursed for your ticket after you arrive - keep all receipts. If you have a return you will get half of it. I think they pay you for a standard fare so you should be Ok even at New Year.
It looks like the living allowance will be increased and you will be eligible for it.
When I came I was allowed $50000 from the school and then paid it back in installments during the first year. I think this is still applicable but one or two people left without repaying it so am not sure if it still applies.
My partner school got a new teacher last January and she was offered a few schools before she decided on that one so you will have a certain amount of choice but of course it does depend on where the schools need NETs.
Hope it all works out for you

[smadden]

Thanks very much Ann and the other posters.

The EMB have informed me that my file will be sent to schools now, so things seem to be moving in the right direction!

Just a few more questions:

1. As a PNET, do you still teach in 2 schools (alternate weeks) or are they trying to allocate NETs to only one school?

2. I am a little concerned about the cost of setting up in HK. If I don't get the loan you mentioned on arrival, how much would you recommend taking for set up costs? I presume that the flight (one way) and baggage will be paid quite promptly? How are we meant to find 2 month's rent in advance? Do we get the special allowance straight away? Is this taxed?

Would be grateful if you could answer any of these questions, as I'm probably going to have to borrow money from a family member. Coming to HK from a Thai salary doesn't help!

Thanks again

Steven

ps. Will have to buy you a pint at the Dublin Jack!

[munasa]

Congratulations -- your school will contact you, but they might be a bit slow, however the start date is January, so there isn't much time. To answer your questions:

[munasa]

You might like to join a pnet e-group where you can ask lots of questions and read earlier helpful postings.

There are two:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hkpnets/

and

http://www.pnets.org

[JZer]

Does anyone know what the NET starting scale is for someone that has a Master's degree in foreign language pedagogy?

[dandan]

The NET job is a teaching position so your teaching qualifications and experience should be the primary factors rather than your Masters degree. A Masters degree will be useful if you want to apply for university lecturing or research positions though.

[Gordon]

[dandan]

Sorry, don't know much about university positions in HK. There are only about half a dozen unis in HK though, so a quick google should do the trick.

And remember:

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.
Those who can't even teach become university lecturers.