The place to ask China-related questions!
Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou Shenzhen Chengdu Xi'an Hangzhou Qingdao Dalian Suzhou Nanjing More Cities>>

Categories

Close
Welcome to eChinacities Answers! Please or register if you wish to join conversations or ask questions relating to life in China. For help, click here.
X

Verify email

Your verification code has been sent to:

Didn`t receive your code? Resend code

By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .

Sign up with Google Sign up with Facebook
Sign up with Email Already have an account? .
Posts: 796

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Q: Have you ever been asked your expected salary in interviews?How do you answer a question like this?

11 years 35 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - China

 
Answers (6)
Comments (0)
Posts: 19789

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I usually tell them a bit more than my last salary, if conditions on the Contract are similar. Increase is due to a longer working experience.

 

Usually, they won't follow you and increase your pay. They just want to know, if your demand match their Contract. 

 

Chinese are very tricky with Contracts. I am thinking, they are similar to Arabs, when they're closing the deal.

Chinese have big 'excuse': 'Speaking my English not very good!'

 

Two weeks ago, I was at Interview with Headmaster and her assistant, who speaks English, and translating everything to the Boss!

Her english description of the Contract was: I must work 48 hours per month, for pay of 6000 Rmb.

I agreed, and confirmed I will sign Contract.

I received Contract for signing by email: 88 hours for 6000 Rmb.

When I asked for change of working hours on the Contract to 48, assistant said I will work 48 hours only because School doesn't have enough students for now. As soon as they will get more students, I will be required to work longer than 48, but no more than 88 hours per month.

My demand for higher salary to no avail! 

In the end, we had flee market bargaining for lower working hours, and higher salary.

 

 

Report Abuse
11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2186

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

It depends on whether you have worked in the area (geographically) before and the level of job you are applying for vis-a-vis the one you held previously.

 

If all the above is the same then it depends on how much you want / need the job, the more of an increase you ask for the less chance of getting the job.

 

If however any of the above are significantly different then you need to do some research, internet search is the obvious, but if you're in the UK libraries hold a lot of information on companies. Try and find the going rate for the job you are applying for and ask for towards the top end of your worth. If you are smart you will also let it be known in the interview that you have done this research. Something like "Well XXXX pays z to x RMB and the average salary is XXXX, I have a lot of experience and my qualifications are above average so I would expect in the region of XXXX"

Report Abuse
11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 6321

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Yes I have, both in China and back home.

What I do is try to research what the standard salary is for that particular job in that particular city and weigh that with my experience.

Report Abuse
11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 129

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Well, it is a common question in interviews, not only in China but also in other countries. As a matter of fact, I've been always asked the salary I was expecting for the position in question.

 

One should always be prepared for it by researching previously the average salary for the position, on-line or previous employees or acquaintance in the same position etc.

 

You are not obliged to answer, but you can mention the fact that you would like to receive more than your previous job. Which, in most cases, is one of the reasons why people change their jobs. Or you can ask about the salary range they offer for the position and then negotiate.

Report Abuse
11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 49

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I agree with Guilin Raf.  Do your homework ahead of time and quote them a competitive salary.  Having worked in HR as a hiring manager there are two reasons why they might ask you this question.  First they want to know how you value yourself.  Asking too little is a sign of your low self opinion or your inexperience in the field.  Second, they want to know if they can afford you.  Yes, they do have a number in the back of their mind that they cannot exceed.  For example, if they consider 10000 RMB a month to be the highest they can go, then I recommend that you ask for 11000 RMB a month.  This makes them stretch a little bit more, it shows how you evaluate your own work and depending on how you did in the rest of the interview, if they want you, they will find a way to give it to you.  I have never settled for the first offer a company has presented me with.  It is good to get in the habit of presenting a counter offer.

 

If you read the book "Getting To Yes," then you will understand that sometimes asking for other benefits (such as insurance coverage, a company vehicle, or even a performance based bonus at the end of the year directly tied to the company's earnings or cost savings), is often times a feasible option for your employer if they are worried about their company's cash position and wage expense.  If you can receive a benefit that is equivalent to cash at the same time satisfy the needs of your future employer, then this is a viable option, and most likely will be agreed to.   

Report Abuse
11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 583

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

So far this is my 3rd job in China.

Before my formal interview every time attended an informal interview in a restaurant and i use to get offer in that informal meeting and i always found that according to my expectation and trend.

So in formal interview Chinese company never asked me about salary.

But in offer letter i always found the same salary that has been discussed in the informal meeting.

I am happy so far...

Report Abuse
11 years 34 weeks ago
 
Know the answer ?
Please or register to post answer.

Report Abuse

Security Code: * Enter the text diplayed in the box below
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <br> <p> <u>
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Textual smileys will be replaced with graphical ones.

More information about formatting options

Forward Question

Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77