Job Discussion Forums

Nowlinsanity · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 4

Hello people!

I'm working at a high-tech company in Ontario now but am getting extremely itchy feet to head overseas again. A couple years ago, I flew to Seoul and found a good job within a week. I realize the situation is different in China, but if I was to fly into Shanghai or Beijing, what would the chances be of finding decent work within a week or two? Would I need a visa to enter china, or can I get a tourist visa at the airport when I land in China? In korea, schools will fly you to a nearby country (Japan) to get a working visa, does the same hold true for chinese schools? Any suggestions/advice would be great. Cheers.

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

You haven't mentioned your education or teaching background so you may find yourself in a competitive market.
As well what do you define as a decent job?
Is that RMB6,000 a month or RMB26,000 a month?

There are plenty of possibilities in the RMB6-8,000 bracket around if you are suitably qualified and experienced.
The latter Question

However, all that you have described is certainly possible.
Your employer can change a tourist to a work visa in Shanghai quite easily but it may be different in BeiJing.

As well, some employers prefer to have a face to face interview -and it may give you a better idea of the set-up too.

You may want to have some interviews lined up for when you arrive. It seems good insurance.

Re finding jobs: This forum has a sticky called "The Best Internet Sites For Jobs In China".

There are also lots of other threads on the same questions you have asked, so please do a search for same.

Have a look and best of luck.
M

badtyndale · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 181 Location: In the tool shed

Get a visa before travelling or come via Hong Kong and pick up one en route. I doubt you would be flown to another country by a Chinese school just for the purposes of obtaining a work visa. Beijing can be tough if you are qualified and experienced and coming on spec unless you are prepared to settle for low pay. This is because there are a lot of people in Beijing who may not necessarily be 'real' teachers but in the eyes of the school bosses they fit the bill, i.e. white-faced, native-speaking, stupid foreigners who present themselves as chimps and are grateful for the peanuts they receive.