Job Discussion Forums

[ekim10]

Did a forum search and only found one post saying "September was hiring season" but didn't clarify if that's middle, end, or beginning, and just as well is that when a FT should start browsing for work, or already have found and showed up. Would like to ask when is start and end of hiring season and when is good time to start early / show up? Also, any other months that (i.e. April?) are also good to check out?

[PittsburghSound]

September is the start of the Fall term and the school year in China. As such, this is the time when most jobs begin, especially in public universities. September is thus not a hiring season, but the time when jobs begin. Hiring for September starts occurs mainly in April-June. There are some positions available even after the start state, but these schools either had someone fail to show up or their working conditions aren't good.

However, there are also positions that start their contracts in February or March. There aren't as many of these available, but I would guess that there aren't as many people looking for jobs at this time also.

If you are interested in a language mill, you can find jobs there at any time of the year. Be warned though that working conditions in language mills can range from decent to downright awful. Do some research on this forum to find out why this is the case.

If you are looking for a job teaching English in China, you are just in time to apply for the jobs that begin in February or March. I'm guessing that Spring term will begin in March 2015 due to the date of Chinese New Year (February 19th, 2015). Chinese schools are taking a break right now for the National Day holiday, but when they return, they will probably start searching for new teachers for March 2015 if they know they will need them.

You will want to find a job, work out a contract, and get a Z visa in hand before the end of December so that everything is official. Don't go to China without a Z visa. This is illegal, and the government is cracking down on it more than ever. The break between Fall and Spring term is an important family time in China, so you're not likely to have success tying up loose ends with the Z visa during that time.

What are your qualifications, if I may ask?

You should have a BA/BS, some sort of TEFL/TESOL certificate, hold a passport from a country where English is the first language, and perhaps have some post-graduate teaching or other work experience. More and more cities/provinces are also now requiring a criminal background check, so do keep this in mind when you apply. You might also have to get a health check in your home country prior to your arrival in China and then shortly after your arrival to get the residence permit.

My advice: In order to get a job for March 2015, polish up your resume and get all your qualifications in order now. In about a week, find out how to contact schools directly via email addresses or phone numbers. Go to Wikipedia and find universities in cities that pique your interest. Be prepared to send a scan of your passport, a scan of your degree, a scan of your TESOL certificate, a criminal background check paper, and your resume. If you don't have teaching experience, you will have to look harder and in varying locations to find the greatest chances for success. If you have a DUI or something, you will have a hard time getting a job in certain cities or provinces, though it's not impossible.

Finally, before agreeing to a contract, research salary ranges in your location. Ask if utilities are included in your free accommodation. Will they pay for your residence permit? What type of furnishings are included in your furnished accommodation? How many teaching hours are you actually responsible for? Where exactly is the school located (right in the city or an hour away? This is vital). These questions and more should be addressed prior to agreeing to work at a school in China.

I've probably left out a few things, but I'm sure someone else will come along shortly to fill in the gaps. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[roadwalker]

China public schools, including universities generally begin the academic year September 1st. When schools need new hires, they try to finish most of the paperwork before the summer recess, so April is a good time to start looking for September starts. The second term (semester) begins at the end of February or the beginning of March. Schools like to have paperwork done by the end of December or so, so looking for Feb/March starts should begin about November. Last minute or other vacancies do occur though, so it's possible to get a late hire. Public school staff are loath to do any work over the summer months or during Spring Festival (varies but in January or February and the school break is most of both months).

Language centers that are focused on children hire people year round but may follow the academic calendar, if only to be available when school is not in session. Those centers that are focused on adults (or on all ages) may hire at any time of year, since businesses don't need to follow the academic calendar and neither do individuals, who could have a sudden need or desire to learn English at any time of year.

Just showing up is risky since a z-visa (working visa) is needed to ENTER China for the purpose of working. In the past it was much easier to enter on a tourist visa and have status changed in country. It's less likely these days (although there are reports of success in this area) which would mean a return trip to your home country or possibly another country where you have residence status. Some here have reported being able to obtain the z-visa in Hong Kong after arriving on the mainland with a tourist visa.

The other reason for calling it risky is that the school bears more risk when they arrange for the teacher to obtain a z-visa, and almost no risk when that teacher shows up as a tourist (on a tourist visa). If they don't like you or conditions change, they just don't hire you and don't help you get your work and residency status. Enjoy your holiday in China!

[ekim10]

Thanks much for the full and concise replies. A fair amount to read and absorb.

I'm in San Francisco at the moment, so I hope that consulate is a "good one." If I understand, you chat with the school, send them all your docs (should I send them a full scanned copy of Passport pages?), they then apply to their own Labor Office, then send you an invitation letter, then you take that invitation letter and go to your local US (San Francisco) office in person and apply for a Z visa. If approved you get 3 months (is it from the day you land in China, or 3 months from the day VISA is issued in US?)... Also I wonder if you finally get to China and the school falls through, if you are then S.O.o.L.? Or still take 3 months (or whatever) to look for a new job.

For me, making it into China by early next year, while possible, is a bit too early. Might prefer to aim more for the next Sept dates (thus start applying April or May per above.)

Thanks again.

[roadwalker]

Nearly correct. Yes, you send scanned copies of your docs to potential employers. I would say to limit your passport scan to the page with your photo on it (i.e. pages 2 and 3). Some on this forum recommend covering your passport number but I personally just send it uncensored.

The school offers you a job and sends a email attachment contract for you to print and sign (at least print the signature page) and scan and return. That is not an 'official' contract but look it over carefully and ask questions if something seems hinky. Once they have that contract (and sometimes they may also require a recent health check via embassy form and/or a criminal background check) the school applies for a work permit for you. With that they get the 'invitation letter' which may be called a Visa Notification letter or similar and express mail it to you. With the TWO original documents in hand, you fill out the visa application form (purpose: employment) and any other documents needed give the package to the consulate.

Consulate issues you a visa (full page sticker), and now you have 90 days to enter China on that visa before it expires. It will be a single entry visa, so it will expire the second the immigration official stamps you in. S/he will also staple a reminder on the visa sticker that you have 30 days to obtain a residence permit (similar looking sticker), which will be your travel document for going in and out of China until it expires or is renewed by another permit. Your school normally will organize your residence permit which will probably include a/another medical check for you.

Example: You obtain a visa in SF May 31. You enter China on August 26. You now have 30 days to get a residence permit or at least have the application into the Exit Entry Bureau of the PSB.

(Note that the example is not likely for a uni or public high school since they don't want the possibility of you entering too soon before school starts. You probably won't get the visa until closer to the start of the next term.)

[Non Sequitur]