Job Discussion Forums

[Hauraunah]

I've been looking around for job in either Japan/Korea/China. My recruiter wasn't able to get me in EPIK and I've been having trouble with finding contracts in Japan that weren't shady. My recruiter presented me with 3 schools in China:

Rainbow Station (Guangzhou and Shenzhen)
$2000 USD/monthly (first year)

$2500 USD/monthly (second year)

$900 USD flight stipend (reimbursed in first pay check) {assuming this means it's taxed}

Pick up from Hong Kong (or Shenzhen) Airport; transportation to Shenzhen

Lodging for 30 days (big red flag here especially since there's also a 3 month probation period)

18 days of paid annual leave and 12 days unpaid during first year

All paid days are inclusive of holidays

Z visa plus reimbursement of visa fees (so I'm guessing my visa isn't sponsored?)

30-40 hours per week

3-4 classes per day

5 day work week (split off days)


EF (English First) Quindao

1. Earn 7,000RMB to 9,000RMB per month, depending on experience and qualifications

2. Flight Reimbursement up to 10,000RMB

3. Structured 'young learners' training (also a great opportunity to meet other new and experienced teachers).

4. Performance related salary increases.

5. Z visa

6. Free health insurance

7. 2,000RMB housing allowance

8. A 5-day work week with Mondays and Tuesdays off.

9. Monthly transportation allowance

10. Large foreign teacher faculty


Kid Castle

Airport pick-up

Free accommodation provided upon arrival for up to 2 weeks

11,000 RMB monthly (housing stipend included)

30-35 work hours/week

Airfare support 3,000-5,000 RMB

Completion bonus 3,000-5,000 RMB

Up to three weeks vacation per year

Z Visa and work permit provided

I've read some bad thing about EF and Kid Castle.


Can anyone tell me what I'm getting into? Is this the best to expect?

Here's a little bit about me:

26 year old American female.

Japanese Language and Literature Major with a Minor in East Asian Studies.

Worked at LAX as a Japanese/Korean/Spanish translator. Nothing official just in the duty-free stores to help customers that didn't speak English.

TESOL certified.

No teaching experience at all.

[Guerciotti]

Forget the first one. never sign for 3 months probation. Never. Do not let the salary entice you. They will let you go within the first three months and hire another. Or, they'll make your life miserable until you quit.
I kid you not. Been there done that.
First one continued - you pay for the visa? Hell no. That's why they let you go early. They have little invested in you.
I could go on. The salary for the first one sounds good, but it is BS.

You're a young lady, they will love you wherever you go. Please take your choice of the others.

[Hauraunah]

Can you reccommend how I politely request something better from them? I know recruiters are in it for the money and such but I think if I approach this with a diplomatic attitude I can get them to pass on these to someone who is actually a sucker.

These seems like offers no one else would take because these schools have a reputation. Especially EF an Kidcastle.

[True Blue]

[golsa]

Burkley, True Blue, or what ever he goes by these days may be despised on these forums, but his basic advice is sound.

Please take note of my changes, which have been indicated in bold text.

[Hauraunah]

Thank you for that push True Blue. I promise I'm not spineless. I'm usually get aggressive when I see the diplomatic route wasn't effect.

Here's what I sent to the recruiter. These guys are legitimate. I've seen nothing but amazing reviews for them. I just know they are low-balling me with now with these initial offers. I don't want to go back and forth wondering how many times must I ask before they give me the cream of the crop jobs.

Hello ________,

Thanks for your offer but this is what I am looking for...

Location: Small cities (with low cost of living) with access to large cities at minimal costs (Flexible)
Student Age Group: Middle-school/ Highschool (Flexible to younger age groups depending on job location and benefits)
Full or Part Time: Full-time
Salary Expected: $ 2,100 USD
Z Visa: Sponsored
Air fare reimbustement: $900 USD or more for the arrival with return flight included
Housing Assistance: Housing sponsored, utilities taken care of by teacher

When you find something for me let me know. Otherwise I will be exploring other options. Japan and China are my primary choices and in order for me to consider China I'm going to need something that is competitive to the average job I qualify for in those two countries. Thanks for your help and efforts.

Respectfully,

My name

I know this might make being placed a bit difficult for me but I did initially come to these recruiters for jobs in Korea so if they want to sell me on China I need to be completely satisfied with the contract. If I had at least a year of two experience in Mandarin/ Cantonese then I'd have no qualms about going over there but my background in Japanese and my quick learning disposition to Korean give me the comfort and confidence to not stress too much because I can at least articulate myself and avoid a lot of grief. In my experience when I've demonstrated abilities to native speakers in their native language they become as sweet as candy. Whether it's phony or not is of no consequence to me, but my not speaking any Chinese might encourage many to see how much of a fool they can make out of me where as the Japanese and Koreans might be a bit more hesitant since they don't know my true language potential.

[Bud Powell]

"...You don't ask - you tell - in a polite way of course. The onus is on the recruiter to find you what you want..."

No, the recruiter's job is to find a qualified teacher to work for her client, the school. The recruiter works for the school, not for the recruit. Hounding a recruiter to "keep trying" is really bad form. If one recruiter can't find a school that meets your needs, you just get another.

Blue Boy, go find a box of Cheerios and sit in a corner...

[True Blue]

[Bud Powell]

TB,

The recruiter does NOT work for the prospective recruit. The recruiter works for the schools.

Bye.

[water rat]

[buravirgil]

[roadwalker]

OP, in your position, it may be better to take the Korean or Japanese positions. After two years' experience, you'll have a better choice of Chinese jobs, if China interests you. This is because most of the better schools and many/most provincial governments insist on two years' experience teaching English. But obviously they are offering you jobs in China, so it's not set in stone. Just be careful since the government doesn't accept, "my school/recruiter said it was legal!" and you are responsible for being in compliance with Chinese work and visa laws. Whatever you decide, good luck!

[Bud Powell]

No recruiter will spend time on a prospective recruit that is too demanding. One must not be a genius to figure it out. Someone with just a modestly subaverage IQ can figure it out.

Hmmm. Maybe not.

[Shanghai Noon]

To the OP: Don't settle for a training center. You are a 26 year old American female. As long as you're not disfigured or morbidly obese, you can work where you want to.

Go to many recruiters and lay all of your cards on the table. Tell them what you can offer and what you demand (you might even qualify for a Foreign Expert Certificate as a Japanese teacher). If you offend one recruiter, just go to the next one. Many people in this thread have posted good but contradictory advice. Don't be afraid to learn the hard way because China isn't going anywhere. Last summer I got ten job offers and I walked out of three interviews when I was not satisfied.

[Hauraunah]

Thanks you guys. I haven't heard from my recruiter. She's either busy or has decided I'm too much trouble.