Job Discussion Forums

[UltraMegaUnknown]

Hi,

I was hoping somebody could suggest where the best place to look for couples jobs (or schools that are looking for multiple teachers) would be.

My girlfriend and I are currently working in Korea and we will both have 2 years of experience when we finish our current contracts. I'm from the UK and have a Bachelor of Laws and a CELTA. My girlfriend is from the US and has a BA in English.

I've been doing some research but I don't really have much idea about what sort of job I should be looking for. What salary we should expect, working hours, etc. Also, if anyone could recommend a reputable company/recruiter/job search website that would be great.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[roadwalker]

Almost any university would welcome a couple, since, like Korea, it's typical to provide housing in China as part of the deal. That also includes language schools. (In Beijing and Shanghai it's more typical to provide a housing stipend and you find an apartment.) Some places may insist on a marriage certificate to house you together but I would guess those are fewer than before. I said universities because of the assumption that a single man would be a wrecking ball in the pure chastity atmosphere of a university in China, but a married man/gf'd man would have less opportunity.

There are tons of threads on just about any question between the job forum and off topic forum. Take a browse or search for specific questions. As for agents and recruiters, there are many that have used them and some of those have been satisfied with the results. Others swear by finding the employer directly and eliminating the middle man. It may help to know which kind of job would suit you, where you want to live or at least what type of climate etc. For example, a uni job probably wouldn't be suitable if you want CELTA type work experience and are thinking of DOS work in the future. Everything has an exception or two here though.

[Non Sequitur]

At face value a couple should be an attractive proposition for a uni in China.
Look for the bigger schools say with 15+ FTs and look at the April/June (for Sept start) hiring season as there is more turnover at that time.
OK OK some dispute that.

[toteach]

I've had luck with random recruiters getting jobs for both of us. And the schools tended to like couples--we're not fraternizing with the students, and we're less likely than a singleton to object to locations of no nightlife. Plus they only have to provide one apartment...

Couple jobs have been easy to find, with a little time and a keen recruiter. Finding family-friendly housing this time 'round has been quite another story!

Good luck in your quest!

(Lambton--in any location--might be a good place for you to start looking if you'd like to go for direct-contact).

[UltraMegaUnknown]

Thanks a lot for the advice. I never considered universities as an option so that will definitely be something to check out!