Job Discussion Forums

[Chicagoan]

I hope I could trouble a few of you to clarify briefly, with a minimum of internecine flaming. Do you really think University contracts are non-negotiable? This is kind of the opinion I was leaning toward, but I'm a lazy negotiator, so I was worried I was just letting myself off the hook from some negotiation. I'm not concerned so much with getting paid more as I am with not getting cheated.

[MyTurnNow]

Hey Chicagoan,

Definitely negotiate. This status is beginning to erode, but right now it's still a seller's market and a lot of places still have real problems filling their teaching slots.

Salary is the toughest. Private English mills usually consider teachers as being only a very tiny step above livestock, and if you don't accept the listed rate they figure they can always find someone stupider. Unis are usually constrained by the government as to what they can pay....many of them may desperately want to be able to give you a higher rate but simply can't do so. The other parts of the contract are often much more open to dealing.

Think of it like haggling for souvenirs....you should strike a tough bargain. And sometimes "walking away" will get you an offer of the price you want. To some extent the same rules apply in these negotiations.

You have to live with what you sign for the next year; make sure you're happy enough with it. Negotiating is worth the effort. If you can't get an acceptable deal, walk away and shop elsewhere. Don't get bulled into a bad deal; they WILL try. There is an overabundance of jobs here....

You do have to temper your negotiation and expectations with a question to yourself..."Can I do much better than this?" You won't like everything in most contracts...is the good part worth what you have to accept with it? You get a lot better at answering these questions with time and experience.

Good luck!
MT

[shenyanggerry]

Chicagoan, you have the same problem I had a year ago - and still have to a certain extent. What is reasonable? Probably at the university level they have a set pay scale and won't change it much. Find out what others in the same set-up are making and be happy with the same.

Be concerned over living conditions:
How big is my apartment?
Do I have to share?
How many flights of stairs?
If there is an elevator, what time is it shut down for the night?
What time do they lock the doors and is there someone you can wake up to let you in when you come home later than 11:00 P.M. (or earlier)?
Do you have a space heater/air conditioning?
What appliances are included?
What about bedding, towels, dishes, etc.?
Do you have high speed internet?
Is there a phone?
What charges are you responsible for?

On the job front:
Who will I teach - age, etc.?
How big are the classes?
What level are my students?
How many hours?
When will I teach?
What aids are available?
Is there a curriculum, textbooks, workbooks, etc.?
What time requirements are expected of me outside the classroom?