Job Discussion Forums

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

Hey.

When applying for teaching work will do the employers generally ask for references from past jobs & uni? If I don't provide these or they aren't exactly favourable how will this go down?

Thanks

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

Aren't exactly favorable? What happened Carl? Employers in China usually just ask for a standard resume without detailed contact or reference information. I don't know where you are from but employers in the US usually won't provide any kind of reference, either favorable or unfavorable. Due to liability concerns, all they generally provide is your dates of employment.

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

thanks for the reply texas, what happened? well today i walked out of my job and in my final year at uni there was some friction between me and the tutors...

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

As far as I know you need to be 25 to get a Z visa here in China. Provided you have a degree and can give two people of reference you should have no trouble in getting a job. They don�t check references as a rule. Some places check student records or whatever to see that your degree is real that is all.

China is not the place to start having fights with your boss as you can end up stuck somewhere without much money in your pocket thinking of what to do next. It has become difficult to change jobs here after a fight with a boss.

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

hmm...2 references, I have no other option I'd have to put my tutor and ex-boss Rolling Eyes

I'm currently 23 so this Z visa seems out of the question for the time being, do I need one of these? hehe thanks for the advice Anda, but I'm a coward really I tend to pick fights only when theres an exit in sight Very Happy

no trouble for me in China. Peace.

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

I changed jobs from my university last semester to my present employer, and can tell you reference letters are now even more important than before.

First thing, they are now a form provided by the authorities (I think the PSB), and your last employer has to fill them in and attach his chop. Two heads must sign it - in my case the FAO and the Head of the Foreign Language Department.
This form then has to be submitted to the potential new hirer; mine did make enquiries with my ex-employer.

I happen to know that some provinces handle these things in a more relaxed way, but they are bound to catch on to the practices in coastal China pretty soon too.

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

I've never heard of this 25 year old age restriction. I've worked with 'teachers' that were 19 and 20. Is this a new thing? I'm 31 by the way so it doesn't concern me. As for the 2 years experience in the field, this seems to be the case nowadays. It wasn't when i came here in 2005. But you never know. It really depends on how desperate they are to hire you.
Bad references? who would give you one? It kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think? Just write your own, if that's the case.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

The Age thing

http://www.allroadsleadtochina.com/index.php/2008/06/08/z-visa-update-the-bigger-picture/

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

NCL makes a good point. depending where you are looking for a job in china, miracles can happen. given that you're young, no (or little) experience, and not finished university yet (as far as i can tell) that miracle could take the form of you replacing older, more experienced and qualified people at their school but with a lower salary.

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

So I have to rely on a miracle to get a job in China? My plan is to do the TEFL thing in Shanghai then get a job there afterwards, but if I'm going to need a couple of years experience beforehand I might go elsewhere maybe Taiwan...somewhere maybe a little less formal. I don't know how the TEFL scene works so I can't really decide what I want Confused

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

seperley · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 36

OP:

Re: Letters of reference. It really depends upon where you are. If you are in the U.S., check your local consulate's website and with your employer. If neither requests a letter of recommendation, then you won't need one. Now, you are more likely to be asked for a letter of recommendation if you go through a recruiter. Why? Who knows.

Experience? ja, it depends upon where you plan to teach, but most of the "PhDs" I've met were in their late fifties and have never taught anywhere.

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

I'm in the uk.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject: