Job Discussion Forums

Rodriga · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 5

I'm totally new to this and have just started thinking about getting a job in China.

I've just seen a job advertised in Nanjing that sounds great - basically a P.A. job working for a lady who is setting up an English school in Nanjing (her name is Jasmina Fogarty).

HOWEVER, she has not posted a website or any other details about the school she has set up. She says she has investors who are "ready" to promote and expand the program.

What do people think? Does this sound dodgy or legitimate? I might only have her word for it. Would you guys apply and go for a position like this? How can I find out if it is a decent opportunity?

Many thanks in advance for any tips.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Dodgy. If, at any time, they ask that you send money, pay money, or anything of that nature, you know they are pulling your chain.
Anyway, I think I've heard of this one and it's sketchy.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

If she is just starting out then she will not be able to provide you with a Z visa or a residency permit.

You need to seek out something much more safe, secure, and stable for your first job abroad. Anything in China can be a gamble, but why start out gambling on a woman with no experience ?

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

If you think this sounds even remotely legitimate, you have a lot of reading, research and thinking to do.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Rodriga · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 5

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

try chinatefl.com

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

Unfortunately, there is not much of an answer to this question. EF, for example, is a language school chain, so a good experience at one branch does not guarantee such results at another.

In the end, to improve your chances of not getting screwed over (especially by your first job) you need to become something of a China expert when it comes to adverts, online chats, Chinglish emails, contracts and so on. You need to know how to spot the danger signs, what to ask about, what is 'the norm' for your city/province and FTs in general and more. In reality what this takes is months of reading as much info as possible, getting people's stories, getting to know what contracts look like, digging around for local information etc.

What will definitely help is if you can try to narrow down where you would like to go, as then you can search in a more targeted way.

Dave's is a good place to start for general views and ideas, I would read the stickies, then back until June or so (relevant sounding topics) as that is when lots of people are on here asking the usual questions about finding/starting a job.

As for the job adverts, think of it like the classifieds in a national newspaper.

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

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

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

Numbers, yeah, it sounds good up to that point. Then Helen contacts the school and takes over. She does this without you knowing. She may offer...say..Y100,000 for the term of the contract. The school says "cool" and she then takes over, while you know nothing about it. Then she starts to rip people off with the enormous experience she has in this business, backed by her strong ties to the PSB. Like underpaying the original contract and taking fees and ...well...you name it.

What I suggest to unwary wannabe teachers is to contact the school and sign a contract with the school ONLY. Make sure no other party is involved or intervenes. And this MUST be stipulated forcefully.

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

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

QUOTE: <<How is Helen going to know who contacts schools?

She knows.....

QUOTE:<<There was no involvement by Helen or anyone else.>>

You (and some others) were lucky.

QUOTE:<<]I understand you had a bad experience working with Helen but that's no reason to slag off the jobs listed on the site.>>

I'm NOT slagging off the jobs listed on the site. I am simply making it aware to people that these devious, corrupt recruiters can do this to you.

There was a person called "un" (and went by other names) who did the same thing as me. I warned him. He got the message. I haven't heard from him recently. I don't know what hapenned, but as an employee in that organisation, he would know what goes on.

My advice is for prospective teachers to contact the school directly and make sure the contract includes NO OTHER PARTY. That must be emphasised forcefully.

Sorry about the quotes..it's not working for me this evening...Things were happening back to front. Rolling Eyes

Rodriga · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 5

Thank you all for your replies so far.

I have spent the past two hours reading previous threads on this forum and it has been enlightening to say the least! I can see that I am just at the beginning of my job search.

Based on what I've read, I think that teaching at a university would suit me much more than a private school.

If anyone has any particular recommendations for university positions that they have enjoyed, I'd be grateful if you'd PM me.

How long would you guys say the practical stuff takes to sort out, I mean, once you have a job offer and you need to get the visa and the inoculations etc?