Question about salary

Hi, I am applying to a job as a chess coach for younger children, and becuase its my first time apply for this kind of job, I was wondering how much should I say when the interviewer asks how much I am looking for?

     if you want the job tell them you'll do it "for the love of the game"

? I know that I will get the job, I've know the owner, but Im just nervous about what to respond to the question, how much am Im looking for.

    At the end of the day you have to access what you bring to the table,

    put a price on it, and communicate that to him.

        -but don't hesitate to use the "love of the game" line.  It works

         every time.

Brian, you are 16 years old with a chess.com rating less than 1400.... how much do you think the market will stand? I would guess $5-10 an hour. Good luck with the new job!

thanks

What's the minimum wage over there?  I'm guessing you'll be getting that, given your age and ability.

Sounds like an odd kind of interview if you know the employer well enough to be sure of the job.  I wouldn't be surprised if he just tells you it'll be min wage.

Don't despair though, the real money comes after you've built up enough of a rapport with the kiddies you're teaching to poach them and start a rival school.

xD,

There is no faster way to reduce your potential income.  Always ask for a little more than you or they think that you are worth and then sell yourself.  Put a value on your skills.  Worst case scenario, it is too much money and you 'take some time to consider your options'.  The interview process is a two way street.  You are interviewing them as well.  You are entitled to think about the situation and the fit as well.  Then you come back (quickly) and graciously accept the offered amount.

It has been pointed out that you are 16 and have about a 1400 rating.  You'll be happy to take the likely minimum wage offer to work at what you love.  Option B for a 16 year old is minimum wage at a slave job, so don't get ridiculous in your wage request that you blow it.

Well I know an FM who trained a junior that reached the USA Top Ten and he charged $25 an hour for personal lessons, in person. But that was ten years ago.

In effect you are a babysitter who will be teaching chess while babysitting.  On a Friday night when the parents go out I bet they pay between $15 and $20 per hour during the busy season for teens CASH - so you should at least get that.  find out what the successful babysitter gets and jack it another 10-20%.  If it is more than one kid - jack it up more.

After school kid watchers who turn on the tv for the little kids by me get that.  No one pays the premium sitters by me less or they don't get the ones their kids like and that just causes problems.  Seems to me you have much more to offer than babysitting while you have the kids - their grades will improve, their concentration will improve.  Do you have any of those Kaplan tutoring services by you?  Look them up in the phone book and find out what they get to teach Algebra - chess improves math skills too. 

I was basically going to spit out what salamillion said, but clearly I was beat to the punch.

On that note, I'll say that the real kickbacks are going to happen when you bribe Erik for a gold membership or something for bringing all these people to chess.com ;)

There's a world of difference between self-employed (the babysitters) and Brian (hoping to be employed), this is usually reflected in the rate chargeable.

AND be sure to provide the sets and insist on clock-timed games, to charge for equipment rental . . . require popcorn and soda-pop be provided by "the site". And make enough video's like "Tele-Tubbies Teach Chess" to give you time on the phone or watching NBA play-offs. It's all about marketing . . . so make sure they get a  "BCGUY CHESS GRADUATE~! " certificate after 100 hours of lessons. And there must be some way to really milk this cash-cow that we're just not thinking of yet . . .

Interesting twist, the babysitting analogy and 'self employed'.  However, one then needs a client base, reliable billable hours, provable results.....  The job pays a wage.  If a certain number of hours are guaranteed, then getting less per hour may offset having to get clients (parents who will pay), keep clients (kids that want to commit to hard work don't grow on trees).  You would have to be a very good teacher (make hard work fun) to build a small but steady income stream.  However, if he knows some of these kids, it may be possible to poach a few off the top.  Downside - potential of burning bridges with specific people or groups.

If it weren't for the low rating, a solo shot would be an easier sell for me.  1400 just doens't cut it - though he would probably be teaching players from 600 - 1000.  Maybe cut a second deal.  Take the job, but negotiate a bonus perk of X hours per month one-on-one teaching for himself at no charge.

I know a guy who's rated about 1500 and he gets $100 - $150 per hour to coach kids.  He has some wealthy clients.  It all depends on what the parents are able to pay.  If you don't ask for a decent wage, they may think that you are not providing a valuable service.

What do music teachers get in your area? $40 - $50 an hour?  Maybe chess should be comparable.  1400 is not a bad rating considering the kids might be rated 500 - 600?  So it's like a Class A getting lessons from a 2400+ player!

Good luck and don't under value yourself.  And let us know how you make out!

I live in washington state and the current minimum wage for people 16+ is $8.10 and hour I believe.

If you are a good chess player you can get more than that.

A few more thoughts ... Positive features to selling your services would be:

*Your own successes in Chess events like tournament play, matches, rating.

*Able to show past results with prior students, if you have had any. Their successes in Chess tournaments/events; level/rating they have attained & perhaps compared to their level or rating when they first started with you.

*References from students or parent who hired you in the past, if any.

*And especially, a curriculum to show to them showing educational sources & text to be used; & describing just what the student will be taught to know and understand & should be able to DO after being taught by you, after certain amount(s) of time of instruction. To really be able to show them what they can expect to receive for their money is a very strong selling point and could help to increase your pay rate aor justify it to their minds.

Cool stuff emerging here - we have after school places where kids go get help with homework etc by me -

Start one of those with a few other chess buddies - help kids with the HW, teach some chess, have matches on Fridays with the winner getting some kind of prize.

Track the kids progress in school too - show the parents that the grades are getting better.  If one day Johnny or Mary does not want to play chess, let them read a book or work on school work.  The deal is they are off the streets with you getting some quality time in chess or homework or other like minded kids who want to be smarter with parents who care enough to send them to you.

You could have hourly rates, weekly rates etc.