Job Discussion Forums

[fluff]

Hey!

Can anybody give me some advice on the best way to apply for teaching posts in China. I've seen a lot of positions advertised on the net but surely it's better to apply in person to check out the school. If your looking for work in country how do your source the jobs? How long, on average, would you have to job hunt for? Which are the best/easiest to find places to start? I'm not bothered about being a bit rural(well, somewhere with a town) and I'm not adverse to cities either.

All practical advice would be very much appreciated.

[Yu]

I was in the same boat last year looking for a job in China from the States.

I looked on-line and applied to all of the jobs I was interested in. I only was willing to work in Shanghai so that narrowed down my choices.

Sent out lots of stuff. Got 2 offers. Took the one I really wanted. I already had in mind the school I wanted to teach at, and was able to get a job there.

Now is a major holiday in China, so it is not the best time for job hunting.

[stevenabroad]

China is one place I would advise against just showing and looking for work since it is so damn large and overwhelming. The market is more geared towards overseas hiring so that you can make more progress on the internet and save money at the same time. Applying overseas will also guarantee airfare and less visa hassles.

Not to mention even if you find a job in person that doesn't guarantee it will be problem free.

[nolefan]

It is a daunting task to look over all the information available and select something that would fit you best as far as teaching in China goes. When my wife and I decided to take the plunge last year, we spent months reading the forums and asking questions, a frustrating process at the end of which we had were left with more doubts and questions than answers.

We received many offers from folks who had not even seen our resumes/CV and we couldn't get them to commit when it came to sending the invitation letters. One school finally sent everything we needed and we booked the tickets. Two days later, they informed us that their current teachers had re-signed for another year and our services were no longer required. Nice start, right?

To make the long story short, we were saved by a company called "New Times International" in Shijiazhuang. I called them after I already had the tickets and they said to just hop on the plane and come over, everything would be taken care off. I spoke to some of the teachers that they had and they confirmed that those guys were for real. I still made my wife stay home for two weeks while I came over to make sure that all was right.

They picked me up at the airport, drove me to their town, paid for my food and lodging while I got to meet some school representatives and visit some of the campuses. This was the best thing that could happen. It was the same process I had spent two months doing on the net with the main difference being that I was here, all expenses paid for and I got my pick of schools after I visited them and saw things with my own eyes, not some fake pictures on the net or lies told to get a commitment.

I still keep in tough with those guys and recommend their services to any newbie that is confused and unsure about the choices they have to make in China. It is like the best of both worlds: you get to choose the school after you see it and visit the town, no commitment unless you want to and no money coming out of your pocket.