Posted by
dmbrooker
18 yrs ago
In response to a job offer from a multinational planning firm in Hong Kong, I have been asked to advised my salary expectation for the position.
I hold a Ph.D in geography, but this is a starting, graduate position.
I have no idea what is a reasonable salary expectation in HK- so can anyone advise a rough figure?
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Its a graduate position with a U.S-based planning consultancy firm specialising in urban design, architecture, regeneration.
The role is yet unconfirmed, as they want to know my salary expectation in the first instance. Though, being unfamiliar with the HK job market, I am not sure what would be the rough figure.
If anyone has any advice, or sources of information to consult, that would be much appreciated
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mayo
18 yrs ago
maybe if you ask people the percentage increase in salary they receive in HK compared to their home country you could base your figure on that, assuming you have an rough idea of what similar position would command in your own country. My husband and I have been on the expat circuit for too long for our comparisons to be relevant but maybe somebody else could help.
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it really is a tricky one - they have a figure in mind for sure and if you tell them a figure below that, they will pay you less than they have in mind. I would either ask them for they pay for your positions to someone else - surely you are not the first post grad they have. Alternatively - call a few headhunters here in HK and ask them what they would expect it to be.
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Many thanks for the advice. It is a tricky one, based on my limited experience of the HK job market. As you say, mention a figure too low and they get you on the cheap, too high and you price yourself out of the market. So in many ways it is a shot in the dark without prior knowledge.
Does 325-350k HK$ per annum sound reasonable for a Ph.D entry-level positon, bearing in mind I have no prior work experience?
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Yeah 350k sounds low for a Ph.d, though you say you have no prior work experience which does mitigate things. I cannot tell you what to ask for I'm afraid, haven't got a clue about the industry. One thing you should find out, is their company policy on promotions and how long it takes to move up the ranks and therefore when you can expect salary increases, If you can expect a promotion within two years, salaries move accordingly so starting low is not so bad. I'll tell you what I will email my friend who works for the architect's Norman Fosters and see what he comes back to me with
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Well I spoke to my friend who works for Norman Fosters, which is a top architectural firm, they designed the HSBC building and were responsible for the new airport. So obviously they are one of the most respected in the industry. they pay probably the best industry. As i understand it your firm is not quite the same it seems to be more of a consultancy. Here is what he said for what its worth, he says at his firm a fresh graduate (with no Phd) could expect to make GBP 50K a year, which works out to US$100,000 per annum.
Now that is quite a lot for a starting salary in my view and its probably at the top end of the range so perhaps take a factor of that number as a starting point. Its a difficult one, because you dont want to price yourself out of a job, so in my view i would call up the interviewer and ask him what he thinks your starting salary should be, and see if you can negotiate with him.
Unless you know people in the industry here it will be difficult to get good advice, So I would put the ball squarely in your employers court.
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Generally, HK companies will pay 13 month salary instead of 12. You will need to keep in mind that housing is alot more expensive than in the US - so maybe some type of housing assistance for you.
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JinHK
18 yrs ago
I work for a headhunter albeit in a different industry but would suggest that your PHD is irrelevant if it is not associated with the work for which you are being considered.
My guess is that entry level would be 30,000 to 40,000 per month with no housing allowance unless the employer specifically wants a native english speaker - then you may have bargaining power for the allowance.
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JinHK
18 yrs ago
P.M. are you entry level for your job?
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If the potential employer is worth working for, they should be able to tell a potential recruit the salary range that applies to any job in the organisation, including the one for which you are being considered.
I would tell them that you are willing to work at about the first quartile of the salary range for the position, to start.
At the same time you should, of course, do your own research so that you are not being ripped off.
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