Job Discussion Forums

cujosux · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 18

Ok. This maybe weird or normal. Not sure.

I posted my CV online and got a call from Doreen Huang at Shenzhen University. I thought that this was great because it was all of two bus stops from my apt. She insists that I meet her the next morning at 9 am, which is much too early for me, but it was a good chance. She tells me to bring all my documents: BA, MBA, TEFL, passport, residence card...Basically the whole nine.

I do and arrive on time and more or less alert. The interview goes like this:

"Do you have the documents?"

"Yes"

"Please give them to me"

"Ok"

Moments pass as photocopies are being made...

"Can you work this schedule"

"Um...Probably, can I see the schedule?"

"No. It is not finished yet"

"Ok"

"Will you follow all the rules of the school?"

"Yes" (no idea what the rules are, but getting the hang of the interview process at Shenzhen University)

"The pay is...Um... Not sure right now, but I will tell you if you get the job."

"Ok"

"You must be in the classroom that you are assigned to on time! Do you understand that?"

"Sure?" Puzzled. Why would I go to a class I wasn't assigned to? To spead the love?

"Ok. I will contact you in three days, by email to tell you that you did not get to job or if you are required to come for another interview. I do not make the decision about teachers or the schedule. So, if you need to make any changes you will need to talk to the dean. Do you understand?"

"Sure"

Hustled out. On the street. Untucking my shirt and riping off the tie when I realize that it took longer to walk from the bottom of the stairs to the office then the interview took.

When I get home there is an email from Ms. Doreen Huang of Shenzhen University informing me that I will not be employed for the coming term. There is only one mistake the email is addressed to a completly different person. Not even the same gender. I reply and two hours later get a resonse that curtly says "The email was for both of you".

So, I got disrespected, had my time wasted, lost sleep, had my entire respect for University teaching diminshed all because I posted my resume online.

Note to all: The internet is a dangerous place inhabited by idiots like us.

ryleeys · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 1101

Man, I kind of feel "sympathy violated" with you.

I've been through the same.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You do not think the woman was, perhaps, photocopying your docs for an illicit purpose? For example to adorn their various brochures that flaunt the fact they have FTs on their staff though, perhaps, not you?

I would never have allowed this person to meet me outside her office and take copies of my certs!

Shenzhen University has never had a good reputation!

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Rodger's right ....only go for interviews in the respective work units..and carful with the diplomas...and cv's...as they are often copied and photoshoped with anothers name...

cujosux · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 18

I hadn't thought that she might use my docs for other purposes, but now that I think about it...It worries me.

What is the point? 10 kuai and you can photoshop yourself to death. You needn't use my docs. The thing that really ticked me off is that I had to wake up early for such a useless interview. Secondly, university teaching was never my thing because in Shenzhen there are many training centers that actually pay.

At the moment, I am working at www.szyes.net and my life is fine. I was only interested in taking up my days with something interesting. I can't believe how unprofessional, disorganized and rude they were in the INTERVIEW!

How can they keep teachers?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Are you on one of their (SZYES) pictures of FTs?

cujosux · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 18

Not yet. Just started this mid-summer and they haven't gotten around to it. Come to think of it only two or three of those people are still there.

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

I don't know how I missed this post back in September 2005. It doesn't surprise me to hear of your experience. Shenzhen U a couple of FTs -- one being me -- over the summer and was scrambling to find replacements. It seems to happen to them every year. And they always wait until the start of term before making a decision to hire anyone. That's just typically Chinese I think -- everything at the last minute.

I'd be interested to see comments from anyone who is teaching there now. When I was there, there were no fewer than THREE English departments. This year they were supposed to be consolidated into one. I'd like to know if it happened, and whether it's made any difference.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:17 am Post subject:

Cujosux, are you sure that you didn't marry her in that 60 seconds? Did you read what you signed?

Seriously, it sounds like you were the fill in candidate, and you were there simply to fill her...'Well I interviewed this many Laiwai, and now my job is done" quota...

Don't get down ! You probably didn't want to work there anyway...

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:22 am Post subject: Re: shenzhen

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

Doreen Huang is already married! BUT her husband lives most of the year in Moscow...so she says.
SZU is in some ways not a bad place to work. The pay is better than anywhere else in China that I know of, but then the cost of living in SZ is higher too. The campus is rather nice. With the exception of a lot of spoiled rich kids, the students are nice. But management is --or was, when I was there -- terrible, particularly in the FAO and the old "Department of College of English".