Job Discussion Forums

PittsburghSound · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 103 Location: Colombia

Hmmm. I was told to not even consider private schools. Apparently, a lot of them are scams.

I may have to reconsider.

Capt Lugwash · Joined: 14 Aug 2014 Posts: 346

Doog did omit the "no shows". They may provide an opening for you but I would think a reputable agency would be your best bet for that. Yes they get bad press here but I used one for my first job here and I am about to start my fifth year at the same place so I can't complain.

The_Kong · Joined: 15 Apr 2014 Posts: 349

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

PittsburghSound · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 103 Location: Colombia

Thanks for all the good info! Another possibility:

What if the universities have some people leaving after this semester who originally began their first contract in February/March? I'm not sure there would be a lot of this happening, but it may be a factor. I'm willing to cast a wide net to find out.

I'm not very picky about location as long as I don't freeze my rear end off in a place like Harbin. In reality, I'll go wherever there's a decent school and wherever I can get my Z Visa without a hitch.

PittsburghSound · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 103 Location: Colombia

Well, my passport came in the mail today. I suppose I can begin the real search, but it may be a bit too early.

Wo Dong · Joined: 02 Sep 2014 Posts: 54

In my opinion, if you are AP certified China is the place to be right now. If you are not in this category you can make much better money in Korea, Singapore, and Japan working less hours with less BS.

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

AP certified with certified/qualified teacher status? Or will just AP certification and experience do?

PittsburghSound · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 103 Location: Colombia

I sent an email to a school, and they said:

"Thank you for sending your resume to us. Unfortunately our recruitment schedule for next year doesn't start until January. If you are still interested, please contact us again at that time to see if any positions are open."

Isn't that a bit strange since the next semester starts in early March? It seemed like a great school in a good location, too.

Alien abductee · Joined: 08 Jun 2014 Posts: 527 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Did you specify that you were hoping to start work in March 2015? By "recruitment schedule for next year" maybe they meant next September meaning in the early part of 2015 they ask their current teachers if they plan to stay for another year after which they'll know how many people they need come September. "Next year" and "next semester" aren't exactly the same and this kind of miscommunication happens.

PittsburghSound · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 103 Location: Colombia

Yes, I told them I was looking to start in March 2015, and they said they don't start recruiting for those jobs until January.

Alien abductee · Joined: 08 Jun 2014 Posts: 527 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Two months is a bit tight unless you're coming from within the country or another country in the region, then it's more than enough. If it's a university then possibly (likely) they don't have much turnover in mid-year and they feel they can get it all done in less than two months on the rare occasion they do it. The most time-consuming part of the whole process is waiting for the work permit and invitation letter to be processed at this end. That can take 2-4 weeks alone. The rest is easy.

PittsburghSound · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 103 Location: Colombia

I guess I'll just have to try other schools. I figure even if they aren't looking to begin the hiring process now, they'll at least tell me when they will be ready, just like that school did.

Markness · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 738 Location: Chengdu

Don't listen to the negative nancy's. I came here on a contract that paid me 4800 yuan per month with housing. I stopped that contract 6 months in because I realized the recruiter was getting paid 14,000 per month and was taking that much from me. I moved to a training school and now make double that and can make triple if I work serious overtime. I decided to just take my 20 teaching hours and now make 10,500 per month (not including bonuses), and I work mainly on the weekends. I work hard for 3 days a week and 4 days are easy (including 2 days off). My school assists with housing as well. My salary cap is quite high. There are lots of incentives. If you want, you can even do IELTs for about 3-5,000RMB per weekend, problem is is that they don't cover your VISA, if you get married to a local though... that could take care of that problem, heh! Forgot to mention that even though my GF lives with me, I am able to save about 1000 dollars per month, which ain't too bad for only being back here for about 6 months.

There are loads of students (well, enough), that are willing to pay 150-200+ rmb per hour. Judging on how rich the student is, you can even go and charge upwards of 300+RMB per hour for privates. I haven't scored big ones like that but my friends have. I was just offered a 2 hour 250 RMB per hour contract from someone, but I'm too lazy. There is work to be had out there, as long as you are looking for it.

If you just want to just relax on a low hours/pay contract and practice your Chinesezez then you can do that too. Lots of flexibility in your lifestyle here.