Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Leafy]

I have been involved with hiring at several institutions in Asia over the past ten years and I�d like to offer these comments.

1. We really really don�t care where you went to elementary school. Unless you are still in junior high school and are applying for a paper delivery route or dog walking job, leave this out.

2. Keep track of where you apply. Our school ran an ads in four places. Some people applied three or four times, presumably once from each site. This says you don�t care much about where you are applying, are just bombing job sites, and certainly aren�t keeping track of what you are doing. Are you going to pay equal attention to job details? Usually in these cases all four applications get binned. You�ll be happy anywhere so you don�t need to be here.

3. Our ad has a specific person�s name to whom you should apply. Still, 90% of cover letters/emails come addressed to �Dear Sir�, �To whom it may concern�, �hiring manager� and so on. Read the ad and respond accordingly.

4. Check your cover letter and email. Some people have the qualifications we want on their resumes but make such hideous errors in their initial communication that they go to the bottom of the list. There are books and websites on how to conduct business correspondence available out there if you are uncertain.

5. Punctuation; it is there - to help you!!

Hope this is helpful.

For others involved in hiring, what errors do you see?

[rogerwilco]

What about CV's that are more than one or two pages ?
I have seen some CV's that are 3 or 4 pages.

[it'snotmyfault]

[wangdaning]

I would think this depends on what type of job you are applying for. Many of the teaching jobs in China would not need such effort on the job seekers part.

People applying to more specified or professional teaching environments might heed your advice.

[choudoufu]

[Mr. Leafy]

[vikeologist]

Off the top of my head.

No capital letters. If you tell us you are EXCELLENT at teaching and HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD, frankly you're just scaring us. Taking this wider, don't be too arrogant. If you really were somebody who has achieve success in every aspect of your life and sound like a motivational speaker, why the hell are you applying to teach at our Uni.

Don't use too many idioms. I once nearly wrote to an applicant to say , look. I know you're lying. I know you're not really American. No native speaker would use such idiomatic English. He really was American, and I still can't understand what the hell he's talking about in his emails.

Don't give us a deadline to get back to you. We understand that once you get a good offer, you're going to take it, but you're not the centre of our universe. We'll get back to you when we choose. If we're too slow, it's our problem. you're setting up interview meetings NOW! Good for you, Mr Pushy.

Don't hide things. if you have a perceived 'disadvantage' such as not being a native speaker; just tell us. Be direct. If you leave out vital info, we'll assume the worst.

If you have a dog, tell us. Don't wait for us to offer you a job, and only then introduce us to Marmaduke. yes he's cute. No he can't come.

Don't send us 15 attachments. Like the Op said, we don't need all the crap. There's things you're supposed to send us. send them. Don't send the things we don't need. It makes you look like you haven't researched job applications properly.

[mwaltman]

[roadwalker]

The only thing I would quibble with is the title. Considering how many "How do I get a job in China?" questions we get this time of year, the timing for this type of basic advice is good (could have been a bit sooner). A more direct title may have gotten the attention of those really searching for answers on what employers want and don't want to see. One may agree or disagree with the advice offered, but I applaud OP and (so far) roger wilco and vikeologist for putting it out there.

[mw182006]

A couple questions for you instead: How necessary are cover letters in China? I've never used one here in the states, and part of me feels like the message may be lost/misinterpreted with a non-native speaker. If you do feel a cover letter is required, is it best to keep it short and direct?

And thanks for the thread/feedback, #2 especially!

[kev7161]

[Non Sequitur]

These are excellent comments from OP and should be noted.
The carpers are like the patient who wakes having been saved by heroic efforts at CPR and whose first question is:
'Did you wash your hands?'

[teachingld2004]

Do not ask for more money. There are hundreds of people who will respond to a job paying 6,000rmb. To say "I have experience and I like your job, but I want 7,000.

Hey person, we are paying 6,000rmb. I can ge a whole slew of people willing to take tha. Why should Ipay you 7,000?

ALso do not ell me, "Well, I do not have experience in teaching, but I was a brick layer for 20 years" Well congratulations to you.

Do not ask me, "If I get hired can my girlfriend come and live with me?"

I have helped my bosses fefore look for people to fill a position. I throw away more then I can say.

One person said, "I wan to come because I can not find a job in my own country".

People, be smart. Re read what you have written more then once.

[Sarcastro]

[GreatApe]

vikeologist wrote: