[rune]

Ok so here is the deal. Out of nowhere I have been offered an interview tomorrow in 3d design and modeling for a product design company here in Hong Kong and I am a little blank on what kind of salary I should expect.
In Denmark comparably you would earn around 25k to 45k in a similar position with similar skillset, experience and education.

I have a few years experience with 3d and modeling and I fully qualify for the position (I have to model and render 3d models of mostly electronic gadgets etc). I am pretty sure from my first talk that I will be using my design skills too (design principles, understanding of shapes, color, composition, usability, aestethics etc). So its not just a grunt job and I will be responsible for the 3d part of the company and for modeling, materials, rendering and possibly post production. No animation however, only stills.

So how does this add up in hkd?

I know the tax levels here are low but I dont want to work for pennies and I am by no means poor so I am not desperate.
This is my first interview in Hong Kong and I havent applied for jobs in Hong Kong since around 4 years ago when I came here the first time.

[jayinhongkong]

Hey Rune, I didn't know you were still in HK. Thought you'd gone back to Denmark! I think you should get at least 25k for that kind of work here too.

[shri]

Well, if you can get 45K in Denmark, that really should be your starting point here. Never hurts to start a little bit higher ...

[Marshmallow]

I think you should be looking at around 20K-30K. The design sector is definitely growing in HK, but a lot of companies out there are not ready to pay a huge amount for someone who has degree education (or higher) in design, most of the time they ask for Poly/TI grad, which is more technical than design orientated. I had the same problem when i went for interviews with the small companies, they said I'm overqualified. That's why i went for the corporate, cos those are the ones who can offer you with a more attractive salary.

Check out www.topmatch.com.hk for the HK Salary Index (for guildlines only)

[rune]

Hi thanks for the replies,
I finished the 2 hour long interview and it was quite interesting. It seems I am exactly what they were looking for and couldnt find locally in Hong Kong. BUT when I mentioned my salary expectations I got the idea that they are willing to pay market price and or based on qualifications but we disagree on market price since from what I have seen I should expect around 20k but he was talking about 10 to 14k, I find that way too low and not worth the effort since I have plenty of money at the moment.

So unless they change their minds I have to refuse or just do freelance work for them.

[nation]

Ah the HK lowball. A few here have experienced this.

[andante]

Originally Posted by rune

Hi thanks for the replies,
I finished the 2 hour long interview and it was quite interesting. It seems I am exactly what they were looking for and couldnt find locally in Hong Kong. BUT when I mentioned my salary expectations I got the idea that they are willing to pay market price and or based on qualifications but we disagree on market price since from what I have seen I should expect around 20k but he was talking about 10 to 14k, I find that way too low and not worth the effort since I have plenty of money at the moment.

So unless they change their minds I have to refuse or just do freelance work for them.

Not sure abt design line. but 10-14 is way low..

[shri]

Do not get trapped into the freelance thing at low rates. Make sure that they end up paying you atleast 3 times more they'd pay you as a full time employee, if you're freelancing.

[rune]

I will try my best.
I liked the guy there and I think it would be interesting to work with them.
They DO need a serious hand in the 3d department.

[cb1118]

actually HK$14000 is the right price for locals...

please remember even in China (mainland), the workers now are very experienced staffs.....(they are not bad at all)

so the market is very competitive.

actually, if you want to have HK$40000 per month salary again.
you may need to consider starting your own business, and manage the staffs and get big clients...
**but most of the big clients now are from mainland china, too.

so unless you have connection in China (or way of doing advertisements to promote your works to certain target customers)...
you may have hardtime to just depend on customers of HK market only.