Job Discussion Forums

[Egas]

In my job search hunt I have decided to set myself a minimum salary that I will work for. Specifically, I won't work for less than 10 000Y in the big cities, nor for less than 8000Y in the rural areas and small cities. I realise that this places the majority of jobs in China out of consideration. However my thinking is this. I have a lot of experience (13 years), am a qualified English teacher and have management experience (HOD and DOS). Since most teachers in China have much less in the way of such skills and experience, my logic is that I should be able to be in the running for some of the good (and well paid) jobs. I know several teachers with no qualifications or experience who are earning much more than the figures above.

When I apply for jobs, a large number of them state "quote your salary expectation". When I have submitted my cv and the above salary expectation to them, I don't hear from them again. Damn I hate that question! Immediately you know that they are not willing to pay sh.t, and will hire sh.t as long as it's cheap.

Actually the truth is that I have been offered several jobs at figures above those quoted above, but had to tur them down for various reasons. But still, there seem to be very few around. I've been focusing on Shanghai jobs the past four days, and I am getting offers of around 6000Y. To me that's crap in a big city! One offered around 9000Y, but with no housing. Again crap.

Or am I greedy, deluded and just plain dumb? (just strapping on the flame-proof suit here )

[gerard]

Egas Is this a multiple choice question??? HA! I started looking for a job in August and I was surprised at how fast offers were taken off the table. A sad job in Tianjin paying 3000 (easy hours) was gone before I could think about it. I don't know where they find people rteally.

Well I do know actually. Standards are not high here to start with...I want to stay in China until 2005 but we"ll see. If these trends continue I will be phased out and maybe be back somewhere where a degree is relevant.

As for the "expected salary" yah dont even dignify it with an answer..You dont know who is posting the offer anyway...It could be you know who looking for info.

[fat_chris]

Egas,

I agree with ya, bro. You've got to be true to yourself and with your qualifications, you definitely are justified in asking for more. As you've pointed out, it'll be harder, but not impossible to get it.

Yeah that completely bothers me that bad teachers are snapped up. Chinese have complained to me about their bad foreign "teachers," but what do they expect when they take backpackers fresh out of high school with dreads and multiple nose piercings whose sole interest in teaching is to get $$$ to further their travels. Enough ranting and raving here.

So I say, no, you are not greedy, deluded and dumb. Keep looking for what you want and you should get it.

[Roger]

You may be justified in asking for your kind of a salary, but the place you are in is justified in turning you down. Or ignoring you.
I think if you could survive on half that much until this summer, you can be expected to survive in the next year with the same amount.
It is true, of course, that salaries have gone up in parts of the country.
But so have some employers' expectations.
Experience may count more. Having no piercings too. Being available right away.
So long as a central authority sets standard salaries you can't push up your pay scale everywhere in this country.

[Susie]

Just be careful not to price yourself out of the market.

[shmooj]

I think you are perfectly justified if you are worth the money and not just full of hot air.

Recently, I was offered a job by the agent of a friend who couldn't take it. I was much more qualified and experienced than my friend though so the agent got a shock when I asked for 50% higher per hour. I would not back down and she begged and begged as she needed someone for the next week. In the end, she agreed to pay me the wage as she was desperate (not because I was well worth the money I might add so I didn't really make my point.)

Anyway, ironically and horribly for her, she then came clean with me what the job involved and there was something that I just couldn't consider doing. I had to turn her down after an hour of hard dealing on the phone.

But I would say that if you have it flaunt it and expect people to pay you what you are worth.

Let us know if you find something...

[Kapt. Krunch]

It's this really Egas. Those who are teachers that come to China didn't expect to make any money...and those who aren't teachers but still teach are just doing so because it opens doors to other things. Either way this is not a way to get loaded.

[Egas]

You are right Mr Krunch, ESL is not the place to get rich. However one just may be able to have a reasonable lifestyle and put a litle away for a rainy day.

I was just offered a job at Y10 000 at in Sichuan, including three mealls a day, accommodation etc. Not a bad deal. But as I negotiated with them they became increasingly paranoid. First they didn't believe my home phone had been cut off (no phone bill notices in Beijing), then they doubted my qualifications because I had changed my name slightly six years ago - even when I produced the change of name certificate. Then they wanted evidence that I was really enrolled in a PhD. I sent them some of my PhD research and directed them to a web site of an international journal with some papers I'd written. (God knows how my PhD has anything to do with teaching ESL at a public high school in China!) Even then they didn't beleive me. In the end they wrote me a letter saying they were not convinced by what I'd offered and said goodbye. Mind you, I had already cancelled the air tickets because there was no way I was going to work with such distrusting people!

How's that for a change? Usually the only qualifications you need in China for ESL are a white face and a big nose!