Job Discussion Forums

[gregmcd101]

Yeah i did do some searches but did not find satistaction.

So I am a first year FT in Fengyang near Bengbu in Anhui province. To be perfectly honest I love this place and would like to stay for a second year and have been asked to. I get 5000 basic contract up to 6500 when I do some extra hours, average about 5800. So, they seem pretty keen to keep me, and, whereas money is not a major issue in my life (thankfully), I still feel I should recieve just rewards for my efforts. The new guy just arrived in March is on 6000 basic (An ex-lawyer so a better negotiator than I).

So the question - what should I ask for to stay - is there some kind of standard second year raise? Any thoughts? Experience? Suggestions?

[eslstudies]

There are no standard increases. He probably has a higher academic rating than you. Ask, but if you demand you could be out of work. No-one is indispensable, so don't get carried away.

[Shan-Shan]

Imagine the joy of a university far from a major urban center being able to net someone with a law degree. Expeditions to world famous marble quarries are likely already in the works in preparation for the statues the school is about to erect all over the campus.

[gregmcd101]

"He probably has a higher academic rating than you"

In fact that is not so. As I said he is a better negotiator - I am in fact much better qualified.

"Ask, but if you demand you could be out of work. No-one is indispensable, so don't get carried away"

They have asked me to stay I want to stay as i said in the original post - i am simply seeking advice on what might be considered a reasonable increase - we have a very amicable relationship, i am just looking for information on what would be considered fair.


"you could be out of work"

In China with 2 degrees and experience I think not

[eslstudies]

[11:59]

Whilst its true that no one is indispensable, it's also accurate to say that the institution you currently work at is not exactly the sole employer in China. Here in HK we have annual increments of $1,000 a month. I think it is about time China began a similar scheme to attract and retain foreign teachers. In my 8 years on the Mainland my salary never went up once, despite all the horah about the economy, 8% growth, being the new world leader, etc., etc. It was certainly one of the reasons I left. Prices went up year by year but my salary never increased so in real terms I was being paid less year by year!

Stick to your guns and insist on a pay rise. If you have proved your worth and they want to keep you then they will have to cough up the extra cash. It's not being mercenary, it's being professional and recognising one's self-worth. If they don't give you a rise, someone else will. Unfortunately, despite all the great things about China, that's simply how you have to be.

[gregmcd101]

"One year of experience, and degrees in what? Arrogance? Education perchance?"


Do you think it is arrogant for someone with good qualifications and experience who is well regarded at his first posting in China to imagine it will be easy to find further employment? Is that arrogance? I consider it a realistic appraisal of the situation.

"As said, there is no standard raise. Your "experience" obviously stops short there."

Yes - well done for picking up on that. As I previously stated that this is my first year and i am considering the second, and so, I have no experience of renegotiating a contract, (shocking huh?), and was seeking advice from those that have

[eslstudies]

[quote="gregmcd101"]"One year of experience, and degrees in what? Arrogance? Education perchance?"


Do you think it is arrogant for someone with good qualifications and experience who is well regarded at his first posting in China to imagine it will be easy to find further employment? Is that arrogance? I consider it a realistic appraisal of the situation.
....[quote]
What "qualifications"? Quantity surveying? One year "teaching" in China is experience? You're well regarded because it's cheaper to keep you than replace you?
Get real.
As for "negotiating", try telling them you've had a 7 K offer, and are they interested in matching it. Then start looking for a job.
Honestly, people who land in China and imagine themselves to be in-demand teachers on the back of irrelevant degrees, and a year in the classroom without being lynched.....

[gregmcd101]

[quote="eslstudies"]

[7969]

[kev7161]

Think about how much you'd realistically like. I think if you're making 5000 now (regardless of the extras), then asking for 6000 is not untoward. However, Chinese "business"people like to negotiate so you may have to ask for more and let them talk you down. Don't ask for a lot more, mind you, perhaps 500 or 1000 beyond what you hope for. Of course, if you ask for TOO much, then they may not even bother with negotiation. My current school is offering me a new contract and they asked me how much I'd like. I told them to make an offer (because they may actually offer more than what I'd ask) - - and their offer was certainly doable. But I've been seeking elsewhere (like my foray into a possible HK job, see other thread) and they know it. They seem to really want me to stay so if you have a similar situation, then you may get more than what you are hoping. Or maybe not . . . it's all a crapshoot really.

[gregmcd101]

[7969]

i likely could have stayed at my second job for a second year, but the conditions were such that i really didnt want to, although the job itself wasnt bad at all. this current job is good and i'd like to stay but my gut feeling here is that they arent keen to give a raise for a second year, although i'll find out soon.

i find that schools in china put saving money above all else. the quality and continuity of FTs seems to be far down their list of priorities. good luck anyway.

[saint57]

Honestly, 5,000 RMB is a joke. 7,000 RMB is only about $900 USD. It's not even worth talking about. If you really like working there and have acquired a pretty Chinese girlfriend, then let I guess it couldn't hurt to ask them to ease up on the exploitation.

[james s]

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