Job Discussion Forums

[asia0708]

I applied for a Sept position. The school offered me 6,500 from the 6-9k quoted on the advert, depending on experience and quals. I have more exp and quals than most, so I am not sure why they offer the low end of salary.

Do Chinese schools expect people to negotiate for a better wage?

I would rather wait until I arrive and ask other teachers how much they get - and then kick up a fuss.

Or are teachers in China told to keep their month shut about salary?

Another thing is, when I type in the school in google it comes up with adverts from a few months ago with a bigger salary stated.

Suerly the schools know if they put people on different wages then there are going to be problems.

[China.Pete]

"I have more experience and qualifications than most, so I am not sure why they offer the low end of salary." -- Asia

Most schools in China will pay as little for your white face as possible. You could try to negotiate for more, but this will depend upon the school. I've known government schools especially, which will hardly budge on their low pay-range. Others may be willing to stump up for a bit more. Your experience and qualifications are not necessarily a huge factor in your favor here, either, since many schools have very low expectations of their foreign teachers. In other words, you could negotiate hard for the extra �1,500 or so, but if someone else comes along meantime who is willing to work for just �6,000, you could be out of luck.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

I know from experience that schools will sometimes alter the salary depending on how desperate they are at that moment in time. if a school hasnt secured any foreign teachers for the coming year and the end of the current year has come and gone, then they might offer more than planned to anyone who shows up on their doorstep. but after that, once they've secured a few warm bodies for the coming year, their desperation level has decreased and anyone else who comes along to fill a spot may be offered less for the same job, regardless of qualifications.

So in some cases, its simply a matter of timing.

[Mister Al]

Before you agree the contract negotiate. The school will offer you as little as they think they can get away with so you must bargain. You have more than enough experience and qualifications (as you say) to start with so highlight that but you should also be prepared to let them know what else you can bring to the table.
If you wait until you arrive and find out that someone else is getting more money that you and you think that's unfair then you will be a grumpy-assed teacher. You might be able to re-negotiate your terms but not likely. Negotiate for what you think you are worth or are willing to accept as a bottom line then if you do find out about higher salaries after you arrive you will have some bargaining tools when it comes to re-signing next year. At least if you will have if you've done a decent job.

[Hansen]

The idea of waiting until you arrive, questioning other teachers, and then kicking up a fuss, is one reason I prefer to work in a school without other FTs.

[kev7161]

Sometimes one has to work a one-year contract and take what the school may offer. After you've worked/taught well, shown up for 99% of your classes (we ALL get sick from time to time), not fussed and nitpicked about every little thing, and shown your employer that you are a decent and hard-working individual, then you can negotiate the following year for a much more palatable salary. If the school says "no" for lord-knows-what-reasons (assuming you've been a stellar employee), then it's time to move on and try it again elsewhere. Eventually, you'll land a job that matches your skills and experience with the salary desired.

[west2east]

"I would rather wait until I arrive and ask other teachers how much they get - and then kick up a fuss. "

Economics, supply and demand and all that... It's an employers job to find quality employment at the best price - a bit like going to the supermarket really.

Do your research, apply for work, state what you think is an appropriate salary for your experience and quals. Always chuck 20% more than you think you are worth and expect your employer to come back offering you the actual amount you originally thought you were worth.

As an FT manager, I would be concerned if a teacher accepted an offer and then began 'kicking up a fuss' after speaking with other teachers about their salaries. "How come so and so earns such and such" in my opinion in not an effective negotiating tool. Aside from negotiating before you accept a contract, focus on showing the school how good you are as a teacher to justify a raise request after your first teaching year. If you are not happy at that point, consider looking for a better paid job.

[evaforsure]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[Ariadne]

The university I'm at has a range of salaries dependent on qualifications, subjects taught, prior experience, years at the school, and, of course, negotiation skills. It's really not my business what another teacher is earning. I sign my contract, they sign theirs.

You can't expect to get a bump in salary after you arrive just because other teachers earn more.

.

[evaforsure]

but you can expect the process to be clear and out in the open and based on experience and qualifications levels ...

[Jayray]

[eddy-cool]

[evaforsure]

You worry about the chinese employer too much.. they can take care of themselves...

Look at it this way Eddie, my way and the employee has a chance to increase his weekly earnings ... your way.. they lay down and take it .... which choice has the possibility of generating more income for the applicant..

[JGC458]