Job Discussion Forums

[dulcenaia]

im mixed race, pretty pale for a half black girl, most people think im hispanic or even italian. so my question is, could i apply for all of these jobs that are looking for white people or when they say white do they mean lily white? if i tell them ahead of time that im italian (im not, im russian and polish) or send them a pic of me with my pale white parents, would that help? im aware that darker people get offered less money so ill fake my race if thats what it takes to make more money. anyway, any help you could give would be great. also, my husband is blonde, blue eyed, if we applied in person together or applied as a couple is it more likely that i would get hired?

[Roger]

I strongly suggest you not lie! It will back-fire! If they are racist in that way you are afraid of, then they will hold any lying from you against you.
Is nationality the issue?

It is best to accompany your job application with a photograph. Scan a nice picture of yours and let them decide!

[dulcenaia]

nationality isnt the issue. im american. the issue is race. im told that many chinese believe that black americans dont speak correct english, i have no regional accent so maybe it would help my cause if i can have them believe that im just a darker skinned white person. maybe not... its just an idea...

[go_ABs]

Hi,

Interesting first post!

I can only tell you what I think, since the final decision is of course yours:
I don't think lying is a good idea.

I think you should tell potential employers the truth, IF they ask. Chances are, they'll just look at your photo and form opinions that way. So yes, maybe a photo of you with your bf or parents would help.

It seems like your main priority is money. If that's the case, then you might want to consider that China may not be your best bet. Other Asian countries pay better.

You might find that the Chinese schools that will consider hiring someone who is not obviously white will treat you better in the long run, even if the pay is a bit lower. If you misrepresent yourself to a school and they are not happy with you, they have the potential to make your life pretty unpleasant.

Finally, if you could stand being around your bf for a long time, and having him be the ONLY other person you talk to (which may well be the case), then by all means apply with him. It probably will help you get a better-paying job.

I applied for work together with my gf, and I can tell you it's not all roses. In a small city there're few others to talk to, and little to do, we find it difficult to have any time apart. If you think you can stand the strains on your relationship, then go for it. If you're at all dubious, then don't.

But all in all there's such a shortage of foreign teachers here that you'll be able to find a job. What concerns you is whether you'll get paid the same as a whitey would for doing the same job, and that's a reasonable concern. Good luck!

[brsmith15]

Please.........be yourself. Tout your teaching talents or at least your enthusiams. Forget all the other crap because that's all it is. Good schools will want you for what you are and can do. As a DOS in a Chinese school I once took a chance and hired a Canadian guy born in India. His skin was quite dark and I was a little nervous because of some of the bigotry in China. When the students came to his class and discovered how kind, giving, intelligent, and responsive he was, suddenly skin color became a non-issue.

Chinese students do indeed have some prejudices, but the younger folks are much more open than their older counterparts.

If you focus on your shortcomings, all you'll have is shortcomings.

[dulcenaia]

i just want to make it clear that i dont view my race as "shortcoming" i just want to be paid a fair wage. my main question is : is it a RACE issue or a SKIN COLOR issue? is it plain old racism or is it a misconception that black people cannot speak english correctly? i'm not trying to be fake or anything, i just want to get my foot in the door whatever way i can. once i get in the door, i know i can prove myself.

[Girl Scout]

Everyone has suggested, and I agree, that you do not lie. Don't even mention race. Put your picture on your resume and let the school respond or not. I have not found race to be an issue in my job search. I am fairly dark skinned with almost black hair. I was offered a fair salary based on my education and experience. I don't think there is a lot racial intolerence.

Do a little homework. You decide on a salary range that will make you happy. Don't except a job that does not fall within that salary range. There are a lot of jobs in China. You have the right to pick one that is a good match for you.

The right qualifications will get you a job faster with a good pay scale. Your education will matter more to the school then your race.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, don't even mention anything about race.

[Roger]

If MONEY is your main concern, my opinion is a bit at variance with that of most Americans: I say don't come here to make it because "it" - the dough - isn't that good, and it isn't that important anyway; you should come here to experience a different lifestyle. Money should be a DISTANT second.

Racism is probably deeply entrenched in the Chinese soul; however, I have never heard they hire just ANY foreigner for English teaching poistions. They most definitely don't want to hire a black or coloured person in order to drive DOWN a FT's salary. There is no such competition here - the competition is between FTs on one hand, and Chinese on the other hand.
So, if you are afraid of race-based prejudices then my answer is: we all are faced with it, though to varying degrees. Generally speaking, a FT is on the lowest rung of their hierarchy BECAUSE they are not Chinese. You get hired because you have a foreign face. You will be a figurehead. THis leaves you with few job options - almost all are oral English. That's what most FTs want (not me, though), and when they are doing their job they find it is often beyond their capability! Or their students'...

[tofuman]

I met a black guy here who had a decent job in a university. If I remember right, he has a master's degree. We didn't talk about race much, but he did say that he doesn't send a picture when applying for a job.

How he managed to get a job without a picture, I'm not sure. The folks here seem overly interested in my appearance. The FAO mentioned that he had formed an impression of me by looking at my picture before I arrived. Imagine, he still hired me.

I would not mention being bi-racial or having black kin. If your skin is fair, send a pic and just don't answer questions about it. If someone gets too nosy, just look elsewhere. There are lots of jobs available, but these people are, for the most part, RACIST.

It is not necessary to lie. Just avoid the question or answer in a way that really does not respond to the point of the question.

If an FAO asks, "Are you half black?", you can answer, "I'm from Arizona," or wherever you are from. I expect they will accept your answer because their English skills are not adequate for repartee.

[woza17]

But you are American, a native speaker with a passport that says so. I think in the Unis it would not be a problem but in the language schools it might be. I know, I know the white face is important. In one company we had to say that 2 really popular teachers were from England and the other from the USA. They were not native speakers, they were good but they were white. One was from Columbia and the other from Romania. If you want to make the money then it's the language schools or the uni with work on the side. If I were you I would just apply upfront, colour does not come into the equation. I wouldn't mention it just send a natural photo. If you like I can send all those cleansers and moisterisers that make your skin white that are so popular with the ladies here. After using them for the last 3 months I wondered why I was getting paler I am almost transperant. It makes me feel a bit icky talking about this but hey I think you are a social realist who wants to know the true situation over here.
Don't dwell on it too much, just go for it
Cheers

[dulcenaia]

Thanks everyone for your input. I guess I'll find out if the chinese want to know specifics about my race once I start applying. Oh, and I'm not in it for the money, as someone mentioned, i just want to be paid what my peers are being paid... for sanity's sake.

[No Moss]