Job Discussion Forums

[MisterButtkins]

So, I read on middlekingdomlife.com that most universities will start reviewing applications for the following academic year around 1-2 weeks after the end of the Lunar New Year holidays. I've already applied for a large number of jobs over the past few weeks (31 different schools) and I haven't really had a great response (I haven't had any interviews and I don't have a job). I feel like it is perhaps too early to be applying for jobs, or that perhaps there's something else I'm simply not doing right. A little more detail about my qualifications and about how I apply for jobs:

About my qualifications - I am currently working at a Teacher's College in China and have been in China for around 7 months. I have a BS in Computer Science and a BA in English Literature from a mid-level American University. No TEFL. Not that this should matter, but I am American, fairly young, and white.

So I've been applying for University jobs for the 2010-2011 academic year. Basically, I've been applying for a large number of positions by finding a university website, getting the appropriate contact information for the FAO (either from a foreign employment section on the website, or just finding the FAO's email address on another section of the website), and emailing them my intro letter, a passport scan, my resume, a color photo, my diplomas, and a reference letter from my current boss. I've applied to a large number of jobs in this fashion (31 different schools over the course of about 2 weeks). I haven't really been thrilled with the response (only 2 good replies, both requested my phone number, neither has called yet).

So I have a few questions, if anyone could share some info that would be great:
(1)Is now the right time to be applying for university teaching jobs that start in September? One of the places replied to my email by saying I should re-apply in August (not going to happen) and another one specifically stated on the website that they start hiring teachers starting in May (I applied anyway).
(2)If I haven't gotten any replies from a school X after a week or so, is it safe to assume they have looked at my credentials and are not interested? Or could they just be waiting awhile to make hiring decisions?
(3)By what point do the majority of schools make their hiring decisions, in other words, by approximately what date should I start looking for future employment elsewhere if I'm still without a job?

I'm not really picky about where I work or salary, mainly as long as I get a decent apartment, enough money to eat, and work less than 20 hours per week. I feel like with my qualifications I should be able to find something that fits the bill but I'm not really sure at this point whether or not I should apply to more places like I have been doing, wait for a few weeks then apply to more places, or change tactics altogether. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

[daCabbie]

Be patient.

That is the only advice anyone can give you. Everything you have done so far is dead on the correct way to find a new job.

Most schools are just starting to find out if teachers will be renewing there contracts for next year. My contract says that I should give notice to leave thirty days before the contract ends.

So, be patient. Everything will work out.

[randyj]

Yes, some schools have yet to sort out who among their foreign teachers might be staying on. It's hard to generalize.

[mnguy29]

I too have applied to about 10 schools and have heard nothing. I am an experienced, qualified teacher also. So, when will these Universities usually know about returning teachers for next year and start to look at new teachers applications. I dont want to wait too long.

[MisterButtkins]

I posted the same topic on a different forum and got a pretty thorough reply, you can see it here:
http://middlekingdomlife.com/ask-dr-greg/best-time-to-apply-china-university-jobs-t196.html

Basically he says that the schools won't ask their foreign teachers if they are returning until April, then they will start to look at other applicants, and they may not start making hiring decisions until May. He then says that applying in March is still a good idea. I'm not really sure why. Anyways, I got another email this morning asking for a phone interview, from an email I sent out about a week and a half ago, so it does seem that they don't forget about your application after a few days. I think daCabbie is right, be patient and wait for the replies to come in.