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davoosh
Joined: 03 Mar 2013
Posts: 38
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 Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 9:20 pm Post subject: When to start looking for September 2016? |
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Hello,
I am currently teaching part time in a primary school while studying for an MA. I had originally planned to continue onto doctoral studies however I am feeling wearied with academia, and I also don't feel too thrilled by the idea of teaching full time here.
When is the right time to start looking for September starts? I have had some interviews with agents but they go cold when I say I'm only available from September. Do universities generally answer 'cold call' emails? When are ads for September starts usually put out?
Thanks for any advice. |
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The bear
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 12:36 am Post subject: |
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April/May is the usual time for the public sector to start looking for September hires. Now is much too early.
You can approach universities directly, but getting through to the right person can be a nightmare. I've had some success with this method but not stellar results. A lot of the time emails go unanswered, or rebound as the email account listed on the website has lapsed or is wrong.
Generally I try to avoid recruiters. Their whole business is taking a cut (whether that's from the teacher or the school, it's still a cut). That said, if you're happy with the deal being offered from a recruiter then go for it. My first job in China was found via a recruiter. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:08 am Post subject: |
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| I take it the OP doesn't (or won't have) home country registration? |
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davoosh
Joined: 03 Mar 2013
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:44 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| I take it the OP doesn't (or won't have) home country registration? |
No registration (if by registration you mean 'fully qualified' teacher) but have the basics required (BA, TEFL certificate and more than 2 years work experience).
I know recruiters seem to get a lot of bad press, but I imagine it's easier to find more desirable jobs once you are on the ground? In other words, I wouldn't completely rule out using a recruiter at least for a first job if the contract and conditions seem acceptable. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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My thought was that you could be a suitable candidate for an international school.
They pay way more than the bog standard public uni FT job. |
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davoosh
Joined: 03 Mar 2013
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
My thought was that you could be a suitable candidate for an international school.
They pay way more than the bog standard public uni FT job. |
I was considering doing teacher training, but I don't think the bureaucracy and pressure is for me as well as the ridiculous government targets/changes. I had a friend lose a lot of hair during teacher training. I enjoy the actual classroom side of teaching which I'm doing now, and a relatively low level of stress is more important than high pay to me at the minute. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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Of course any job description is a wish list and a face to face at an international school in China may get you an offer.
Best approach IMHO is get your standard FT public university job - preferably Oral English - for Sept start.
In the bigger cities there will be international schools. Make an appointment and front them for a Y2 opportunity. |
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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 12:04 am Post subject: |
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| I would say May is too late, March/April would be better My university asks us to renew in late March, and other universities in my city advertise in March too. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 12:19 am Post subject: |
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| doogsville wrote: |
| I would say May is too late, March/April would be better My university asks us to renew in late March, and other universities in my city advertise in March too. |
That sounds early.
But, as they say, you can't sell Christmas Cards on Boxing Day, so earlier rather than later - remembering that the summer break is July and August.
Be a frequent visitor to seriousteachers.com from March as doogsville suggests. |
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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 5:31 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| doogsville wrote: |
| I would say May is too late, March/April would be better My university asks us to renew in late March, and other universities in my city advertise in March too. |
That sounds early.
But, as they say, you can't sell Christmas Cards on Boxing Day, so earlier rather than later - remembering that the summer break is July and August.
Be a frequent visitor to seriousteachers.com from March as doogsville suggests. |
The problem may be that my uni has been burned by teachers a lot in the past few years who show interest and even commitment, only to pull out later, presumably when a better offer appears. Last year we interviewed five teachers two of whom dithered for weeks before turning it down and three who pulled out weeks after saying yes. End result was no teachers hired until well into the new semester. What I find odd is that we offer a pretty good deal, 8k a month for 12 to 16 teaching hours, no office hours and with free accommodation, airfare and other bonuses, plus we're right in the middle of the city. We have five or six universities/colleges here in Zhuhai, so there's a reasonable demand for teachers, though I think a lot of us stay in the same job for a long time. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 6:55 am Post subject: |
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That's the other side of the coin doogsville - thanks.
Your package sounds good. |
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thechangling
Joined: 11 Apr 2013
Posts: 276
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| doogsville wrote: |
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| doogsville wrote: |
| I would say May is too late, March/April would be better My university asks us to renew in late March, and other universities in my city advertise in March too. |
That sounds early.
But, as they say, you can't sell Christmas Cards on Boxing Day, so earlier rather than later - remembering that the summer break is July and August.
Be a frequent visitor to seriousteachers.com from March as doogsville suggests. |
The problem may be that my uni has been burned by teachers a lot in the past few years who show interest and even commitment, only to pull out later, presumably when a better offer appears. Last year we interviewed five teachers two of whom dithered for weeks before turning it down and three who pulled out weeks after saying yes. End result was no teachers hired until well into the new semester. What I find odd is that we offer a pretty good deal, 8k a month for 12 to 16 teaching hours, no office hours and with free accommodation, airfare and other bonuses, plus we're right in the middle of the city. We have five or six universities/colleges here in Zhuhai, so there's a reasonable demand for teachers, though I think a lot of us stay in the same job for a long time. |
That's pretty tidy for a uni gig so i don't understand why so many have been pulling out as you say. I could understand it if the salary was 5000-7000 but 8000's getting reasonable for those teaching hours. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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| If there has been an uptick in refusals or 'no shows' it could be related to the improving US economy, rather than better-paying China jobs. |
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