Job Discussion Forums

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

i have a chance at an editing job for an ESL magazine in china. eight hours a day, 5-6 days a week, and no accommodation provided (for the trial period at least). at my upcoming interview, they want to know the expected salary, however, i've only taught esl in the past at a minimal number of hours per week. obviously the salary for this sort of job should be much higher given the number of hours in an office.

if anyone has experience in this sort of work, can you give me a ballpark figure for what salary is appropriate to ask for?

warmest regards ~ 7969

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

What city is the job in? This will make a huge difference in the expected salary.

That said, I have a good friend here who has a similar job editing English language materials for a IT company here in Kunming. He works 8 hour days, 5 days a week, and makes 5k a month. If the company is not used to hiring expats, they may balk at giving you the kind of salary you think you ought to get. In my opinion my friend is woefully underpaid, but he is so happy to be doing something other than teaching English that he has stuck with it, hoping to renegotiate his contract after a year. Anyhow, if the magazine is not based in a big city, or if they have not hired foreigners before, do not be surprised if their salary expectations and yours do not exactly line up. Aim high anyhow, try for 10k at least and see what they say to that.

I do freelance editing and translating and charge by the word, but I guess that would not be applicable in your situation.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

the job is in guangzhou. and they have other foreigners working for them.... given RMB5000 in kunming, i would expect at least RMB10,000 for such a job in guangzhou, maybe a bit less if there's a flat thrown in as well.

thanks.

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

What is the name of the company if you don't mind my asking?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

its crazy english.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

actually i kind of hope i dont get the job. despite the fact athat it seems to be the kind of work i like, the hours seem ridiculously long and i'm not sure i'd be willing to do it even if the salary exceeds RMB10,000 per month (which i'm sure it wont). there's just no free time after the job is done each day. maybe i'll try going back to esl teaching....

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

i never bothered with the interview. prior to leaving for GZ, i found out that for a 5-6 day working week at about 8 hours a day, their starting salary was a less than astounding RMB6000 per month. at any rate, they say they found another "suitable" candidate before i even told them of my decision.
suitable = ???

back to esl teaching.....

7969