Job Discussion Forums

luckylibrarian · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:35 pm Post subject: Where are the jobs?

I am a newbie teacher in Kunshan. i have almost a year experience so far teaching English and Spanish in China. I am looking for a job in Shanghai or Kunshan. I need a job offer by January. My current contract ends in mid Jan.
I don't want to return to my current job.
Yes , I have been looking online for jobs and networking. It is hard now. It seemed last year I got more feedback. What is going on?

I teach grades 1-10 by the way. If anyone can give me some direction to go on it would be helpful.

Also friends have said that black teachers get hired last. I hope this is not true.
Anyone have such experiences?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

What are you currently teaching? What are your qualifications?

luckylibrarian · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:21 am Post subject:

I am currently teaching 10th grade Spanish conversation and grammar.

I also teach 1st grade -7th grade English reading, writing and conversation.
I have a BA English and MLS in Library Stds. I have been a librarian for 12 years. This is first classroom teaching job.

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

Why don't you want to return to your current job? If we knew what it is you don't like about your current job, we may be able to give you better advice about what to avoid and what to look for in the future. You stated you are a newbie teacher but already you are looking to change jobs. Prospective employers might consider you a job hopper.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I don't understand.

This very website has a lot of nice jobs on it.

TexasHighway is right that we do not know much about your situation, but one thing I disagree with is the perception that you may be a job-hopper.

The vast majority of teachers in China do not stay on for a second year's contract.

luckylibrarian · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:43 pm Post subject:

Ok

Here is the deal. I need a new job. I am in Kunshan. A small town near Shanghai and Suzhou. I have applied to jobs in Shanghai ,but no response thus far. So I am casting a wider net.I am looking also in Jiangsu and Zheijang. I was told by a good Chinese friend to stay on the East coast of China because that is where the wealth is.

So far I have sent my application to Pacican Shanghai, Rockies Canadian,Disney English

Today I sent my resume and cover letter to a recruiter for college jobs in the above provinces.

What do you know about NINGBO?
My Chinese friend owns a factory there and he said it is a factory town with a nice size population. I want to live in a larger city and teach lesser hours on a college or univeristy ,where I can finish my 2nd masters online on my off time. I don't think it is too much to ask.

I also want a place where there are other foreigners especially European and American.

I don't undertand either especially since I teach Spanish and English. Why wouldn't someone hire me by now? I still have 8 weeks so I haven't paniced yet.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I am assuming that other applicants are more desirable than yours. No one else will say it, so I will.

A few questions:

- Are you white?

- Are you a native English speaker?

- Do you hold a passport from one of the legally required nations?

- Do you have any physical abnormalities?

- Do you have any clear mistakes on your resume/CV?

- Does your current employer know you are moving on?

My good friend who has little in the way of experience nor education just secured a decent enough job as did her cousin. I am constantly offered positions all the time with various schools all across China.

Self-evaluation...

milkweedma · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 151

Rockies and Pacian have multiple bad reviews from memory, on some ESL forums. Research deeply first!

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

lucky librarian wrote:

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The OP did not outright say that he/she is black, only an allusion. For this and many other reasons I spend my own personal time creating a small checklist for the OP to go over. Therefore the intention of my post was to be informative an provide insight for my fellow ESL teachers, not to patronize others.

PandaPandemonium · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Posts: 54

you can try posting your resume on www.eslteachersboard.com. some of my friends from cameroon got their jobs through that site. when I posted my resume there a week ago I also had a couple of calls from schools that wanted to hire me immediately (I am white non-native)

PandaPandemonium · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Posts: 54

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

zactherat · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 295

yes being a non-native speaker would certainly work against you.

our resident non-native speaker at daveseslcafe is called 'igorG'

maybe you can ask him for tips on getting around your non-native status.

luckylibrarian · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 7:17 am Post subject:

Thanks for the advise and criticism.

I am a native English speaker from the US.
I am a black female.
I have checked my resume for grammatical errors.
I look and speak well.