Job Discussion Forums

pjmuggsie · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 4

Hey people,

I'm looking to go out to Shanghai for my 2nd year in China within the next couple months (hopefully first week of November or so). I've been searching for a job that only has me working during the week and not on the weekends, but I've only managed to find one. The reason I'm not taking it is because it starts in a few weeks and I'm not looking to leave so soon. However, the couple of schools that I'm talking to don't have any other openings at schools that don't work on the weekends through November as of now.

It concerns me a little bit because I really don't want to work 9-6 on Sat-Sun and feel like maybe there won't be another opportunity to teach just during the week outside of the one that was offered to me. How likely is it that I could find a training center job that teaches just during the week with a start date around the first week of November? Or is it likely that I would have to wait until next February for a public school job to roll around?

Any advice is welcome, thank you!

Lobster · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject:

What's wrong with working weekends? Just another day unless you're dedicated to Friday and Saturday bar hopping. If that's the case, feh.

Get a uni job for the weekday stuff with the low pay and hours. A training center? Think about it. Your students are either working or in school all day. They can attend classes on weekends and in the evening. So, maybe they can have classes 3 hours every weekday evening for a grand total of 15 hours per week. How much money do expect for that? Not enough to live in Shanghai and go out every weekend, I can tell you that. If you're lucky you can have 2 consecutive weekdays off.

RED

GeminiTiger · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:30 am Post subject:

Lobster · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:57 pm Post subject:

I have no idea what people hold as an ideal work week. Just personally, I don't care much which days or hours I work. Monday and Tuesday at home with the wife is no different than Saturday and Sunday. I've spent most of my life working irregular hours anyway. Yea, it's normal for bankers and office workers, but not as common for service workers and TEFL workers who cater to adult students. In my 11 years in China, I've had exactly one 9-5, Mon-Fri job. No big deal.

RED

ecubyrd94 · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 77

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

If you have many friends working in bars or restaurants, they will probably get random weekdays off instead of weekends. Otherwise, if you want to see your friends/lovers, you need to get weekends off.

Lobster · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:42 am Post subject:

You're still not telling me where you can teach adults on a Mon-Fri, 9-5 schedule. Kindy, High School or Uni, ok. But adults?

RED

ecubyrd94 · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 77

Sublime · Joined: 23 Apr 2011 Posts: 90

If you're not prepared to work weekends, then don't do it. Stick to your guns.

I was (and still am) unprepared to work a 6 day week or do split shifts. So although this makes job hunting slightly more difficult - there's no point even contesting it and then end up resenting doing something you dislike.