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crikey
Reacher
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 311
Location: Jing' An District, Shanghai, P.R.C.
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Nov 02, 2004 - 03:57 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Yet another wage/salary advice question... |
Hi all,
I need some advice with negotiating a 'local' package offered to me by a potential employer. Sorry if this is re-hashing an old, old topic.
I'm a green research scientist that has just submitted doctorate thesis/awaiting examination. I'm currently in negotiation with a large, western multinational. The position is well-suited to my research background, & presents a good opportunity in a big company.
Initially, I have been offered a flat wage of Y90-150K per year (besides other perks). Other components offered include coverage of relocation expenses and international-standard medical cover, and all initial accomodation costs.
There has been no mention of pension plan/superannuation contributions from my potential employer. Nor, an annual flight home.
I understand from my research that you can live fairly comfortably (by grad student levels) on this wage in Shanghai.
In my opinion, I would want to start negotiation with a standard base that I would be acceptable in my own country (Oz, no Dorothy jokes please). At this point, it doesn't meet my requirements.
If anyone can put there 2cents/pence/razoos worth in here, I will appreciate it immensely.
cheers,
crikey... |
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Benoist_Shanghai
Low Seater
Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 3057
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Nov 02, 2004 - 04:41 PM |
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Briefly, if I am not mistaken
RMB150000/year
RMB12500/month before tax
RMB10375/month after tax
=Eur1037/month
If medical is covered this is what you get, you can live with that in Shanghai, on a very local basis only and without any fancy expenses.
Surely not anything close to an acceptable Oz base for a PhD graduate, I guess.
b. |
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Monk
Raver
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 440
Status: Offline
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Nov 02, 2004 - 04:56 PM |
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I would say that, in most fields, these days it's unrealistic to expect to get a salary comparable to or surpassing the equivalent salary in US/Europe/Oz/etc. unless you've already established yourself and your reputation back home. Many people pay a premium (though not too large) for the experience of living here. Especially for those of us without an illustrious resume, we usually find something that pays decently enough (around 10-20k? am I off here?) and enjoy a fun but not too glamorous lifestlye.
You can be comfortable on 12k a month as long as you don't spend a few hundred on dinner and/or drinks on a regular basis. It's a bit hard to start saving or investing on that kind of salary, but you can still have fun. |
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sinned69
SuperStar
Joined: Sep 01, 2004
Posts: 1511
Location: China, Middle East, Asia Pacific
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Nov 02, 2004 - 05:49 PM |
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| Post subject: the reality of working here on a local contract |
heres my ten cents worth... i came from oz &i have been in china for more than one year, originally came here doing the p/t english teaching buzz... which allowed loads of free time off between teaching at uni... and seeing some other places other than the big cities. eventually though the money was way too low and i came to shanghai like many before and more still yet to follow. i landed an ok job working in the health field for which i am qualified, however while the insitution is a foreign health care provider, i was employed on a local contract, a salary amount of rmb15000/mth. at first this seemed great as shanghai can be lived in comfortably for that amount. but there were no extras like quite a few expats get. superannuation, health/medical insurance to name a few... after my 6 months i went for double my salary (as i know I am worth it, even told so by the CEO) and all the usual allowances like those I previously mentioned plus accommodation and a small discretionery expense amount rmb1000/mth. suffice to say i got an extra rmb5000/mth. now that might not seem too bad, but bear in mind i was working as a senior manager in my field, with all the various depts reporting to me. i have been here long enough to know what expats at that level are getting... way way more... my CEo is a case in point. Now ofcourse maybe i shouldn't be complaining as i lived well but watched what i spent carefully as its easy to spend $$$ here. the things i though, that you will either need to speak damn good chinese or have a good friend (genuine) who will help you out with all the activities of daily living, if you can't find somewhere that serves food with an english menu then... the other things you should consider which is how i put what i was earning (have since quit) into perspective... unless you live close to where you work, you will need to consider transport and if you travel during peak hour then be prepared to a sardine, in the buses, subway and so on, pushing shoving etc. You will also be glared at for the most part even in this city, which has alot of laowais (foreigners)... you get used to it... though there are some who will stare at you for your entire journey... the summer here is damn hot, and you will sweat -heaps and when you mix that with a sardine ride and then walking to or from your workplace the novelty begins to weigh on you... ofcourse theres loads more things that i can say and while i am pushing the negative things there are loads of positives, so don't get me entirely wrong... i just want to put you in the picture realistically... big difference between holiday here and working unless you are sheltered by a huge expat contract...
my advice, is push the contract some more... add in some clauses of your own, things like review periods and what it can cover or what should be up for negotation at that time etc. make them work for you as much as you will for them... ofcourse there is the experience that you can have but that can work for you both ways...
i can go on and on, but if 'crikey' if you wanna know more then PM me...
hey and good luck... one question though is you are overseas and as such you should be hired on an expat contract not a local... so look around, ti wont hurt to explore options from there first... as i say good luck to you.. |
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IamME
Rocker
Joined: May 23, 2004
Posts: 625
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 03, 2004 - 06:05 AM |
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Are you adventurous? do YOU WANT to come?
It never hurts to do something for a bit then move on, but if you don't really want to be here then don't say yes.
-just my tuppence.
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I have your hamtaro |
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crikey
Reacher
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 311
Location: Jing' An District, Shanghai, P.R.C.
Status: Offline
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Nov 03, 2004 - 02:44 PM |
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Hi all,
| IamME wrote: |
Are you adventurous? do YOU WANT to come?
It never hurts to do something for a bit then move on, but if you don't really want to be here then don't say yes.
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Yes IamMe, I do want to come to Shanghai - I have had some positive opinions from colleagues and friends who have visited, yet as we all know living o/s is an entirely different thing (BTW, I've also lived in PNG and worked in Germany).
I am most concerned with the offered package, particularly as life may not be so easy supporting 2 people (this could change as my partner is tertiary qualified and is currently studying a TEFOL/TESOL course).
Thanks sinned69 for your 10 cents worth. It has reinforced some of the advice I have received at home. I've highlighted some new points to raise in my negotions with this company thanks to your help.
And, from what I have read here, in other posts, and other expat-related websites, the offer could be considered on the skinny side.
Its all fuzzy and warm appreciation from this end... thanks reply'ers
Hey lurkers, I wouldn't mind some comments from you out there too.
cheers,
crikey
and ps.
a croc ate your hamtaro |
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