Job Discussion Forums

[hawaiianpunch]

How should multiple offers be handled that are received at the same time?

I currently have 4 offers and they all expect an answer by next week. I've read on the forum that nothing's set in stone until the Z visa is in hand. What is the best way to handle this?

My first instinct is to accept one and decline the rest. But if something falls thru, then i may be out of options as the end of Uni hiring season is fast approaching. However, if I accept multiple offers, it would be unfair to have a school go thru a large portion of the fec registration process just to get a rejection in the end.

[vikeologist]

If a school pays for an invitation letter for you from the PSB (Public security Bureau) they're unlikely to shaft you.

You should accept one offer, and tell the others that you have accepted another position.

The worry is that the school will find someone else they like more, and apply for the invitation letter for them instead. Then they'll lie to you and say that the PSB turned you down,

This is very unlikely to happen. It is far, far more common for the potential teachers to act like douchebags in this way. In fact, this post of mine will doubtless be followed by people telling you, either implicitly or explicitly, that Chinese employers are dishonest, so you aren't under any obligation to treat them fairly.

You should accept the post you want, but also be quite clear when the invitation letter will arrive. You need that to get your (temporary) visa to enter the country. I'd say that getting it is your guarantee that the school aren't mucking you about, and any unnecessary delay should be treated with suspicion.

You mention Uni hiring season, but even if the job is starting in September, you don't want to be waiting months for that invitation letter. (It does take a few weeks for the school to request it and then send it to you though).

[teachingld2004]

Some times a choice is hard. Do you have sample contracts? Ask for them. Read them a few times. Check out the money. Check out the location. Find out about the housing. Do not feel you have to decide so fast. THere are a lot of jobs here. THere will be another one.
NEVER say YES to more then one job,

[mwaltman]

[Non Sequitur]

You have about 6/8 boxes to tick and go with the offer that has the least downside. You will have enough issues just getting to and settling into life here, without some niggling stuff that you could have foreseen.
If you can, search this forum for a thread 'Job Offer Checklist' from about 12m ago.
Accept the one that meets that 6/8 point scenario asap and ONLY when you have your visa, decline the others.
Do this nicely as you may want to climb back if things go haywire.
Good to know you have choice and it is about now (mid May), that the hiring season moves into 'offer' mode for the best applicants.

[hawaiianpunch]

Jobs seem to meet enough checklist points.

One uni in Qingdao seems like a good fit, though salary is low relative to the city's cost of living. There appears to be lots of freedom to how I would decide to run classes. The teacher/recruiter seems very nice. She even emailed me again to reiterate that they would like me there.

One uni in Hangzhou also appears like a good fit. They would like to to teach Business English. Being a travel hub makes the city appealing. Salary is also low relative to cost of living. School is located in a education district about 1hr bus from West Lake area.

One uni in Shaoxing, Zhejiang seems ok. It's a foreign language school and there will be 60 native English speakers there. With such a large English speaking community, it will be easier to make friends. Shaoxing is a beautiful city and is somewhat near Hangzhou, but there doesn't seem to be much going on in the city itself. Classes are somewhat smaller, around 20 students, and teaching methods appear to be more organized. They do have teacher evaluations.

I'll pick from either Qingdao or Hangzhou school and decline the rest. In case I get screwed over, I'll continue to send out applications until visa process is finalized.

[Non Sequitur]

I taught in Qingdao a couple of years back.
My understanding is that employers there use its attractiveness to hold down FT salaries.
If you opt for QD check the Google map to make sure uni is near the coast.
Summers are hot and the sea breeze that kicks in about 2pm is very welcome.
Also as some unis now occupy two (or more) campuses, make sure your apartment and classrooms are on the same one.

[GreatApe]

Accept the offer you think is the best; pass the other offer on to someone you may or may not like!

--GA

[Sarcastro]

If you have two that are close to the same offerings but has one has something that you'd like the other doesn't you might be able to pit one offer against the other.

"Id really love to come. Your school seems like a great place to work but I received an offer that included much of the same benefits along with _free housekeeping_. I wold love to come work for you and your kids and if you were to provide some similar service I would sign your contract today!"

Just dont be a douche about it and ask for some kind of outrageous thing like a new Austin Martin to drive back and forth to your dorm.

[Non Sequitur]

[mw182006]

Mind pm'ing me the info for the ones you turn down?