Job Discussion Forums

[ZiCheng]

Hi all, this is one of my first posts, but I have read lots here.

I can't seem to get hired despite over a dozen resumes/CVs sent out. I believe I have a decent resume, I am a degree holder in English and Philosophy, and have several TEFL certificates from i to i. I also have several reference letters.

I'm pretty sure my being Asian has a lot to do with it, and I anticipated difficulty getting a job, but not to this degree. Even the big companies like EF have not responded, neither has placement agencies such as Angelina's ESL cafe and chinateachonline.com. So any tips out there about getting hired? Any known schools that will hire Asians?

Edit: I forgot to mention that I have applied mostly to positions in Shanghai. I am looking for work in Shanghai, Suzhou, or somewhere near by in Jiansu. Thank you.

ZiCheng

[tw]

[Sonnet]

[eslstudies]

If you've been sending resumes to universities, this is the wrong time of year, the new semester having just started. FAOs won't even think about hiring for another 2 or 3 months.
Shanghai, and the larger cities of Jiangsu, are all popular with foreigners, but there is also a very big demand. However, I had an Indian colleague at a good Shanghai university, so it's not impossible for non whites to get work there. I also knew ABCs and BBCs teaching in China.
Try a place like Kunshan, which has big Taiwanese and Korean expat communities hungry for English. Otherwise, broaden your options. You are better qualified than 90%+ of the EFL workforce, and if you are a native English speaker should have few problems provided you're willing to be flexible.

[vikuk]

[jeffinflorida]

I think your issue has more to do with timing and location than of your being asian.

School just started�

Shanghai is full of foreigners�

You need to look at other cities�

china is full of cities that will hire you�

You need to be more aggressive and settle for another place�

I work in a place that hires many foreigners including asians from abroad�

So stop whining and look harder for a job� maybe use a less asian name and email address to start�

[NeilBarker]

You CAN get hired. Yes - school has already started, but don't let that deter you. Just turn up in person with your CV, looking smart, to any number of private schools, and you'll get fixed up with a job within a few days.

Being non-white is a disadvantage, but it's not prohibitive.

Look on the bright side, man - you'll end up working for a cool employer who values ability over appearance (assuming you have ability )

[Shan-Shan]

With a degree in English and TESL certificates, why contact EF? Are you into piss poor pay in exchange for thirty plus hour work weeks? Say it ain't so!

Were you to only possess parts of a human brain stitched together with the last threads of your self respect, I'd say give EF serious consideration.

[william wallace]

TW I agree. Wally Street and English Last have to really play into stereotypical roles to attract customers.Even if the customers mindset seems primitive- it has to be followed,or they're out of business.

[ZiCheng]

tw:

You are right to point out that I am trying to get into a region that is very popular. I happen to have family in Shanghai and Suzhou, but the main reason I want to teach near Shanghai is that I hope to find jazz musicians and play gigs on the side, being a budding musican myself.

As regarding to my background: I was born in China, and moved to the United States when I was 9. I now reside in Canada and I am a Canadian citizen. On my resumes I say my english is native speaker ability, which is true since most of my recent firends though that I was born in Canada, though my first language is Mandarin. Like many who immigrated at a young age, my first language is nowhere near as strong as my adopted language.

eslstudies:

I'm looking into Kunshan, thanks for the heads up. It looks very promising.

jeffinflorida:

I definitely think that timing and location have a lot to do with it. As far as using a less Asian name, that's not really a comprise I'm willing to do right now. I used to go by an English name, but some time along the road decided that it is not right for me, and isn't who I am. This will probably be difficult to understand, but I feel that using an English name right now will be such a insincere act that I couldn't bear to go through with it.

NeilBaker:

Arriving in China is indeed an option for me. I have family there who can put me up, and who live in the cities I want to find work in. This may be a better option for me, since I think I come across as very well spoken in person. Anyone else think that this is a good course of action? Also, I would not mind just hanging out with my family in China for a month or two, is there another boom in hiring several months after September that I can take advantage of?

Shan-Shan:

I contacted EF because I am very, very interested in work in Shanghai. I'm hoping to hook up with jazz musicians and start working, which should be easier to do in Shanghai than any other city. Plus my family, who I hope to spend a lot of time with, live in Shanghai and Suzhou.

Everyone:

Thanks for everyone and their suggestions. What I'm going to do now:

-Keeping sending resumes to Shanghai, Suzhou, and vicinity. I remain somewhat hopeful, since I still see lots of offers on sites such as this one. Maybe employers will get desperate.

-If above method fails: Use the i to i placement service to get me a job in Shanghai. It costs about 500 canadian dollars (discounted price). I'm willing to pay that to get a job in Shanghai.

-Broaden my horizons just a bit to other parts of Jiangsu, and maybe some parts of Zhejiang. I want to remain close enough to my family though so that visiting every other week will not be a problem for my time or budget.

-If none of the above works, then I'll stay put for a month or two, or get a 3-4 month contract any where in China or Aisa and go to Shanghai when I get a year contract. I'm starting to think that this is a good idea, anyone else? In 3-4 months, will there be any opening in Shanghai or Suzhou? Like I've said, part of the reason of teaching english in china is an extended family visit, so I'm not willing to spend a whole year in some remote corner, as exciting as that is in its own regard.

So what do you guys thinks? Any further advice would be highly welcome, if they are anywhere near as good as the first batch.

ZiCheng

[ZiCheng]

One last thing I wanted to check, just to see if there is something I am doing wrong:

On my cover letter, I stress how good of a writer I am, and I quote some professor's comments on my paper, which are wildly flattering and praiseful. Stuff like: "you are a fabulously clear writer ... cogent, insightful prose..." Any chance stuff like that didn't go over well?

Thanks.

[Anda]

Try a search on English teaching Shanghai public schools and you will get places like below. If you work in public schools then your evenings are free for music. Pay is okay as well.

http://www.campusearth.cn/teach.htm

[A'Moo]

I really do feel for you, and you sound as though that you would definitely be more apt than many of the educators I have seen here. There is definitely a discriminatory attitude here against Asian teachers here (though at least you wont feel it on the street from young males upon employment)..I have to agree with many of the posters here...Shanghai is the WRONG place at ANY time...Think rural...I am doing alright, even though, physically, I ma what they want. There IS work in the rural areas for everyone, though you will have to prove yourself first...Good Luck!!!

[vikuk]

[tw]