Job Discussion Forums

[oh4sunshine]

Is anyone else sitting out there somewhere in the world, waiting for your Letter of Invitation?? We are meant to be in China in September but are still waiting, waiting....

[johntpartee]

You answered your own question. Part of your welcome package.

[the_otter]

Yes. But I don't let it get me down. I take each new day without any mail as an opportunity for self-improvement. Every day is a fresh start in the glorious United Kingdoms of Britannia! Besides, there are so many wonderful things that keep me occupied while I wait, such as walking to the shops to buy more whiskey and beta blockers.

[coffeepresto]

I'm still waiting too. I'm supposed to leave August 26th at the latest, but I don't feel comfortable booking my ticket until this is a sure thing. I just found out today that the person who was supposed to issue my letter of invitation hasn't even started yet - even though I submitted the medical form last week. Arghh! Way to go, future employer.

Is this typical? For a school to wait till the last minute to get this letter?

[China Guy]

This happened to me a few months ago. The school offered me a position in March. After accepting I waited 3-4 weeks for the letter to come. After all that waiting the school decided that they didn't want to hire me for that semester because I would only be teaching for 2 months.

They offered me the same position which starts in two weeks and I received the letter about a month ago. I wish I could tell you it's definitely going to come but with chinese bureaucracy there is no sure thing. Good luck.

[maotouying]

[Miles Smiles]

It isn't always the school's fault. I think that the problem is somewhere up the administrative line where people are ALWAYS on vacation.

I've read about more complaints regarding late-arriving LoI's this summer than ever before. I was told by an FAO in very vague terms that there was some sort of administrative glitch this year.

Then, when I put the screws to the FAO and said that I wasn't going to wait any longer and that I would consider the agreement void, I was told that there had been two letters issued, but both misspelled my name. The office had to reapply. My third letter had JUST been sent out via EMS and would arrive within three working days.

It finally arrived. My name was STILL misspelled.

My guess is that a lot of the problems stem from the desire on the part of the Powerz That Bee that all incoming FTs produce a home-grown health certificate before a letter of invitation is sent out. I think that most people's inability to produce one within a week has slowed down the LOI process. Compounding that, I think, is that the fact that incoming FTs ARE submitting their physical health reports, but the Powerz That Bee can't quite cope with the paperwork. **

**This is conjecture on my part. I claim no inside knowledge or psychic power. I will say, however, that I DID stay in a Holiday Inn Express last week, so I think I know what I'm talking about. You may not think that I know what I'm talking about, especially if you did NOT stay in a Holiday Inn Express last week or during any part of the past year. I've been to China before and I have Chinese friends, so that makes me an expert.

[roadwalker]

I definitely wouldn't buy an air ticket to China until I was holding the invitation package in my hands (ok maybe if I had the tracking number for the package). If it comes later than advertised, it may be the case where you may have to arrive late unless the school agrees (in writing) to pay for your over-priced short-notice air ticket. If not, or if they have a ceiling for airfare compensation, buy the earliest affordable ticket and forward the school the itinerary. If they want you bad enough to go through the hoops they went through, they can wait a few more days for your arrival.

No one will refund you for a ticket bought on faith in your FAO to send you the documents at x-date.

[LanGuTou]

[quote="coffeepresto"]I'm still waiting too. I'm supposed to leave August 26th at the latest, but I don't feel comfortable booking my ticket until this is a sure thing. I just found out today that the person who was supposed to issue my letter of invitation hasn't even started yet - even though I submitted the medical form last week. Arghh! Way to go, future employer.

Is this typical? For a school to wait till the last minute to get this letter?[/quote]

No, not at all!

It is extremely strange for Chinese people to be disorganised, leave things until the last moment, change things without informing others etc.

You will soon discover what an efficient bunch the Chinese are!

(Searches for the emoticon with the long nose but fails to locate it).

[rogerwilco]

[SandyG20]

Ditto - contract is for middle of September - but they sent me an email to book ticket and arrive beginning of September - I don't have documents - and I also am supposed to give 30 days notice on current apartment - which I suppose if I just pay them for the 30 days they will be okay with me leaving - not to mention getting rid of more stuff - packing - loose ends - selling car - so I am definitely still applying other places in the meanwhile - just in case. Do they understand that tickets are expensive and sometimes nonrefundable and also difficult to get around beginning of September (labor day weekend and back to school for some) - plus we often have to make 1 or even 2 connection flights if a long distance? I am trying to get all my ducks in a row - but I still figure the last week will be a bit of chaos.

[rogerwilco]

[xiaolongbaolaoxi]

Your convenience is not their concern. Rarely will it be of their concern.

If you can, perhaps you can continue your search for jobs after CNY. Yes, you will get nowhere looking now for those positions, but it gives you time to take care of all of those loose ends, some small and some big (selling car). Gives you time to do it right, even if it means mailing stuff to your parents' basement, walking a lot, etc. Also, start working on your language skills (your pronunciation may be shot, but your listening comprehension could help you greatly.)

If you have friends/contacts already in China, perhaps they are leaving at CNY, they can do the "I'm leaving, but a friend could be here for the new term..."

Good luck. The good news is that no matter how bad it is, once you finally arrive in China, the first week will feel like a relief compared to all of the last-minute hassles.

XLB

PS: scan and email every important document you have to yourself as well as people you trust, just so you are not tracking down documents from a continent away... account numbers for bills/switch to email delivery of them, etc.

[mnguy29]

Yes, I too am waiting impatiently for my invitation letter from the school. I am in America. I made the mistake of booking a flight to try and save on the cost, Aug. 24 does not look possible now. Why does this take so long? I have been waiting for 4 weeks! I know that China is unorganized, but its just crazy! I like teaching and living in China, but the lack of organization and efficiency just drives me nuts! Everything is last minute and spur of the moment. I have told them I dont want to arrive late for classes! I really wanted to arrive by Aug. 20. Ha!

[AdrianG4]

I am so blessed .. I got an email yesterday from my school telling me that my invitation letter and other documents had just arrived to the school from the foreign affairs office .. and that they were going to ship it that day via EMS !

My flight leaves on the 25th .. so I am so relieved ..