Why are salaries for skilled positions so low?
Why are salaries for skilled positions so low?
I am currently looking for a graphic and web design job in Cambodia, mainly look at camhr listings so far, but the wages seem too low.
Why is it that a lot of expats can get a teaching job that pays $1000 a month, but when it comes to hiring highly skilled workers in other fields, you are offered half that?
Am I looking in the wrong place? Where can I find job adverts for serious companies that are willing to pay for skilled workers?
Thank you for any insight.
Why is it that a lot of expats can get a teaching job that pays $1000 a month, but when it comes to hiring highly skilled workers in other fields, you are offered half that?
Am I looking in the wrong place? Where can I find job adverts for serious companies that are willing to pay for skilled workers?
Thank you for any insight.
Last edited by burobubu on Fri Aug 14, 2015 6:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Because a position like a senior designer is likely aimed at Cambodians and there will be many who can do that job as well as, if not better than, a foreigner.
English teachers, I presume, can only be filled by foreigners.
English teachers, I presume, can only be filled by foreigners.
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$3,000 a month as a designer when there are thousands of locals who can do the job? Keep on dreaming, I am afraid.
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As others have said, there's an abundance of local talent. Might not be up to par with skilled foreigners in many instances, but paying 4-6X the wage can't be justified by the employer. It makes more sense for them to hire out skilled foreigners for short-term contracts for specific projects, rather than as full-time employees. I've seen a few outfits that hire foreigners though... What was that place where Khmerized worked? Melon Rouge or something like that? Saw another place recently that hired foreigners for what I'm assuming are decent wages. I'll see if I can dig it up tonight.
Ok, I guess I wrongly assumed these job ads were targeted at foreigners as they are all in English.
And I understand that local talent is much cheaper, but this is the thing. It is NOT on par with the quality of work you can get internationally.
I'm sorry, but having looked at the work of each company before I apply, I can see that they are miles behind anything of the standards that international companies have.
So to make statements like 'there are many people who can do the same for cheaper and even better' is ridiculous, not in the design industry. It is glaringly obvious simply by walking down any shopping street, looking at signage, seeing advertisements (even on TV). They just don't compare to the level of refinement you get in the USA, EU, Japan, Aus.
I recently saw a job advert for HIYA mobile phone company ( http://www.hiya.com.kh/ ) for graphics and web designer. I looked at their website, which is no good...
I sourced images of their product and created a mockup redesign for their site, spending a couple of hours on it.
Then I applied with a link to the mockup (It's nothing original, nor mind blowing, just a concept to show them how much their site could be improved).
They were very interested in hiring me, but not at the wages I am asking.
But they don't realize the huge value that a professional company image and proper marketing materials and strategy can bring to the their company. They will more than make a return on investment. They will increase the perceived value of their phones, generating not only more sales, but being able to market higher end phones in the long run. I have experience working with large international companies, and help them re-image their brand.
There is a reason why leading international companies continue to spend HUGE on design and marketing, and it is because it drives more profit. I was born in cambodia, and have been there many times, and see that this kind of thinking is still underdeveloped and needs to catch up, but if they are offering less than what basic english teachers make, they will never attract the kind of talent required to skill up the locals.
And I understand that local talent is much cheaper, but this is the thing. It is NOT on par with the quality of work you can get internationally.
I'm sorry, but having looked at the work of each company before I apply, I can see that they are miles behind anything of the standards that international companies have.
So to make statements like 'there are many people who can do the same for cheaper and even better' is ridiculous, not in the design industry. It is glaringly obvious simply by walking down any shopping street, looking at signage, seeing advertisements (even on TV). They just don't compare to the level of refinement you get in the USA, EU, Japan, Aus.
I recently saw a job advert for HIYA mobile phone company ( http://www.hiya.com.kh/ ) for graphics and web designer. I looked at their website, which is no good...
I sourced images of their product and created a mockup redesign for their site, spending a couple of hours on it.
Then I applied with a link to the mockup (It's nothing original, nor mind blowing, just a concept to show them how much their site could be improved).
They were very interested in hiring me, but not at the wages I am asking.
But they don't realize the huge value that a professional company image and proper marketing materials and strategy can bring to the their company. They will more than make a return on investment. They will increase the perceived value of their phones, generating not only more sales, but being able to market higher end phones in the long run. I have experience working with large international companies, and help them re-image their brand.
There is a reason why leading international companies continue to spend HUGE on design and marketing, and it is because it drives more profit. I was born in cambodia, and have been there many times, and see that this kind of thinking is still underdeveloped and needs to catch up, but if they are offering less than what basic english teachers make, they will never attract the kind of talent required to skill up the locals.
Good local designers are very very rare over here, developers are much easier to find.alanclarke72 wrote:Because a position like a senior designer is likely aimed at Cambodians and there will be many who can do that job as well as, if not better than, a foreigner.
English teachers, I presume, can only be filled by foreigners.
That being said, as LexusSchmexus has mentioned it's still difficult for employers here to justify paying that kind of salary.
burobubu wrote:Ok, I guess I wrongly assumed these job ads were targeted at foreigners as they are all in English.
And I understand that local talent is much cheaper, but this is the thing. It is NOT on par with the quality of work you can get internationally.
I'm sorry, but having looked at the work of each company before I apply, I can see that they are miles behind anything of the standards that international companies have.
So to make statements like 'there are many people who can do the same for cheaper and even better' is ridiculous, not in the design industry. It is glaringly obvious simply by walking down any shopping street, looking at signage, seeing advertisements (even on TV). They just don't compare to the level of refinement you get in the USA, EU, Japan, Aus.
I recently saw a job advert for HIYA mobile phone company ( http://www.hiya.com.kh/ ) for graphics and web designer. I looked at their website, which is no good...
I sourced images of their product and created a mockup redesign for their site, spending a couple of hours on it.
Then I applied with a link to the mockup (It's nothing original, nor mind blowing, just a concept to show them how much their site could be improved).
They were very interested in hiring me, but not at the wages I am asking.
But they don't realize the huge value that a professional company image and proper marketing materials and strategy can bring to the their company. They will more than make a return on investment. They will increase the perceived value of their phones, generating not only more sales, but being able to market higher end phones in the long run. I have experience working with large international companies, and help them re-image their brand.
There is a reason why leading international companies continue to spend HUGE on design and marketing, and it is because it drives more profit. I was born in cambodia, and have been there many times, and see that this kind of thinking is still underdeveloped and needs to catch up, but if they are offering less than what basic english teachers make, they will never attract the kind of talent required to skill up the locals.
That's all very well, but you're no longer in the west. You're in Cambodia where the value of design and brand is not yet much of a consideration, so there is little point railing against it. Mediocrity rules.
If you want to put that to the test, give up the idea of finding a $3000 a month job; instead work for yourself and try to sell your message to Khmer corporations.
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Who needs a designer when you can just copy the best designs that your competitors and Western companies use?
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You answered your own question there.But they don't realize the huge value that a professional company image and proper marketing materials and strategy can bring
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OP, you don't need to convince us - you're preaching to the choir here.
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Yes, I figured as much...
It isn't the end of the world for me, I can and am making at least that much per month already freelancing (not for KH companies though, for overseas clients).
But I am looking to move permanently over there in a short while, and while I enjoy freelancing, I miss the social aspect of work and want that kind of lifestyle. But not if it means full time hours at ridiculous salaries. I'll just stay home then.
I am not too good at the business side of things so might try finding someone who knows khmer fluently and maybe we could start something.
My khmer is flakey at best, just basic conversation and enough to get by. Not enough to convey 'the importance of company image for growth and success'.
Thanks all for your input.
It isn't the end of the world for me, I can and am making at least that much per month already freelancing (not for KH companies though, for overseas clients).
But I am looking to move permanently over there in a short while, and while I enjoy freelancing, I miss the social aspect of work and want that kind of lifestyle. But not if it means full time hours at ridiculous salaries. I'll just stay home then.
I am not too good at the business side of things so might try finding someone who knows khmer fluently and maybe we could start something.
My khmer is flakey at best, just basic conversation and enough to get by. Not enough to convey 'the importance of company image for growth and success'.
Thanks all for your input.
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Should we start a sweepstake on how long it takes them to update their website thanks to some free consulting?burobubu wrote: I recently saw a job advert for HIYA mobile phone company ( http://www.hiya.com.kh/ ) for graphics and web designer. I looked at their website, which is no good...
I sourced images of their product and created a mockup redesign for their site, spending a couple of hours on it.
Then I applied with a link to the mockup (It's nothing original, nor mind blowing, just a concept to show them how much their site could be improved).
They were very interested in hiring me, but not at the wages I am asking.
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